Introducing D'STRICT: Creating Content Through Digital Media
Recently, I passed by COEX Artitum, Seoul, and I witnessed boiling sea trapped inside a glass box above a building surrounded by skyscrapers. It seemed like a scene from “Inception”; a hyper real experience. Nevertheless, it turned out to be a collection of large LED screens playing an alarmingly realistic video of ocean waves. Feeling quite inspired and impressed, I immediately researched more about said installation. I found out that this was a work by D’STRICT– a Korean digital media company known for its innovative digital sculptures. D’STRICT integrates art with technology, resulting into different types of façades. Intrigued by these futuristic installations, I started to discover more of their portfolio and as a result, became a huge fan of their exhibitions. Therefore, in light of my recent discovery, I want to share three of my pieces.
Public Media Art #1 “Wave”(2020)
One of their most recent pieces is “Wave”; a digital experience. Through LED nodes, D’STRICT has the ability to exhibit more intricate visuals, recreating the dimension of actual waves trapped in a large glass case on a 2D LED screen. This anamorphic illusion is the product of the mixture of technology and art. To create “Wave” not only were visual designers and space designers hired, but also system designers, software developers and project managers. (Discover more of this piece here)
2. The “Infinity Wall” in Nexen UniverCity (2019)
Last year, D’STRICT showcased another LED façade, “The Infinity Wall”. The 30 by 7 meters LED wall was installed in the R&D center of Nexen UniverCity, a tire company. Similar to “Wave”, “Infinity Wall” offers user experience (UX) of a three dimensional space on a flat screen. This installation plays a video of four core values and management philosophies expressed in four different mood boards: combination, soaring, climbing and knocking. The most notable mood board was “Combination”, which used motion capture of actual dancers to recreates more vivid movement of the dancers. Furthermore, the use of the two doors located at the bottom of the LED screen, gives this piece more power to persuade the audience into believing that the presented space inside the glass wall is real. Due to the attention to detail dedicated to this installation, D’STRICT won the 2020 IF Awards of the Interior Architecture Department. (Discover more of this piece here)
3. Beijing Tiffany&Co Flagship Store Opening (2010)
Last but definitely not least, we have the collaboration between D’strict and Tiffany&Co. In 2010, D’STRICT used hyper-façade to celebrate the flag-ship store opening of Tiffany&Co at Beijing. This installation differs from the works I previously mentioned, because instead of LED screen, it uses projections. Basically, before the show, D’strict covered the Beijing Trade Center with grey stickers. Then, a projection, calculated to fit the building after a thorough scan of it, created the illusion of 3D movement and constant alteration of the area. The projection transformed the plain World Trade Center into a diamond, successfully marking a great start to the Tiffany&Co flagship store. This art piece demonstrates why D’STRICT uses UX design, in order to offer its viewers a direct experience of the latest modern technology and aesthetic values. (Discover more of this piece here)
