The Sónar, which already has a great impact capacity, has partnered with the mother of all events, Casa Batlló, to inaugurate this year’s edition with an immersive and sensory experience of 64 million pixels –apparently, a record– which is the sum of the six LED screens of The Cube, in the basement of Gaudí’s building. Or rather, of the unprotected part of the building, the one where he did not intervene.
Although the modern hall of the Batlló, illuminated with red and black light, aims to reproduce the sinuous ceilings of Gaudí and one of his columns, it is not in the belly of the architect where people enter when they descend to the catacombs for a dose of adrenaline, immersed in Music: Response. This Wednesday, the advanced festival showcased to the press this proposal that combines electronic music and digital art. A luxurious video clip by the Chemical Brothers created by the creative duo Smith
In the Batlló cube, with the LED walls transformed into moving geometric shapes of brightly colored chemicals and human forms dancing to the music of the Chemical Brothers, an irresistible urge to dance takes hold. The distinctive figures with the British duo’s look march like an army surrounded by pop art polka dots. And then a flock of birds swoops in overhead… In short, a five-star nightclub.
Adam Smith is somewhat nervous about what is a world premiere. “It’s a new territory being immersed in Casa Batlló, a unique space. The Chemical Brothers were here and they were happy. It is really the first time that you can be face to face and so close to the visuals and the music.”
By his side, Marcus Lyall confesses that he grew up in a house full of architecture books and “Gaudí’s work is something I fell in love with as a teenager. So coming to Barcelona, being here presenting what we do… is an immense privilege.”
He says it with sparkle in his eyes, like all the tourists who have imagined their visit to the mecca of Barcelona a thousand times. And on top of that, in the bubble of Sónar! By the way, the music is also new, at least the mixes. It’s a reconstruction of Chemical Brothers’ tracks that haven’t been seen in shows or DJ sets before. “We had to offer a new impression…” says Smith.
The large group of journalists must be divided into two or three, as from a museum experience perspective, the proposal cannot accommodate, if one wants to appreciate it, more than 30 or 40 people at a time, although total solitude would be ideal. However, as a nightclub, that density allows for easy movement. As they say, five stars.
The co-director of Sónar, Enric Palau, and the general director of Casa Batlló, Gary Gautier, give their respective explanations, happy to have reached this alliance regarding a cube whose technology makes it “a unique space in the world,” they repeat. Their journey began three years ago, when digital artist Refik Anadol was given the opportunity to transport people to virtual worlds and parallel realities.
“Barcelona is collaboration, innovation, creativity,” asserts Gautier, showcasing its 35 international awards and the prizes for immersive proposals that they have garnered in their quest to “position Casa Batlló as a global benchmark.”
Okay, agreed, but… let’s dance!
