Case Study

SACRA FOR LUX MUNDI

Desilence worked with three other studios and Curator Antònia Folguera to transform the artwork within a near thousand-year-old Catalan church.

Recruited by Curator Antònia Folguera, Desilence joined three other studios (Alba G. Corral, Hamill Industries, and MASSO) to reinterpret the frescoes of the iconic apse in the rural Church of Sant Climent de Taüll. The frescoes have been exhibited at the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) for the past hundred years.

For their contribution, SACRA, Desilence took inspiration from the geometric patterns surrounding the Pantocrator, which closely resemble Metatron's Cube, a symbol of the underlying structure of the universe. With this in mind, they began the design process by focusing on circles, symmetry, and centrality, which would, in turn, link the Christ depicted on the frescoes to metaphysical ideas like perfection, order, and eternity.

Folguera's brief called for a blend of historical heritage and digital art. Desilence envisioned an immersive dialogue between past and future using a combination of real-time visuals, achieved with Notch, and generative content. This enhanced the sacred essence of the frescoes and their depicted symbols while bringing them to life in a way that would resonate with 21st-century audiences.

As Desilence's Tatiana Halbach explains, "For us, it was essential to maintain the spiritual essence of the church. The piece had to show absolute respect for the sacredness of the space, creating a deeply meditative experience. Notch gave us full control over the visuals, allowing us to adapt them dynamically to the space and enhance the immersive experience."

Notch’s flexibility was crucial in preserving the spiritual atmosphere of the sacred space. It ensured that the digital projections preserved the church’s contemplative environment.

Tatiana Halbach, Visual Artist, Desilence

Tarta Relena's alluringly mystical "Stabat Mater" provided the perfect soundtrack to reinforce the piece's contemplative nature. Audiences were captivated by the way the digital reinterpretation bridged centuries of cultural tradition while introducing a dimension of contemporary expression and immersion.