An urban artwork can sometimes be so integrated into its context that it disappears. An example of this is the giant lantern suspended from L'Auditori de Barcelona. A technical feat as complex as it is subtle, accomplished by the architect Rafael Moneo. The lantern is also the monumental translucent sheet that serves to display an abstract mural by Pablo Palazuelo. But few of the Auditori’s users or mere passers-by can relate to this element. Signes, from the Playmodes studio, seeks to open up a dialogue with this piece from 1999 — recently restored — and its graphic concept. A gesture for re-signifying the work with a kinetic light and sound installation, made up of a series of motorised lamps that create an immersive and evolving space. An infinite number of moving graphic patterns emerge from this light system under the command of generative algorithms, and offers a new experience each time it is observed. Light and movement become atmospheric soundscapes and connect angles, speeds and colours with hues, tempos and harmonies.

Playmodes is an audio-visual research studio made up by Eduard Frigola, Eduard Llorens, Eloi Maduell and Santi Vilanova. Their projects are at the crossroads between design, art and engineering, with audio-visual tools that construct their own technologies with an artisan spirit. Their language is aimed at consolidating space, light, sound and movement from numerous perspectives. Immersive light and sound installations, sculptural devices, kinetic devices, stage designs or audio-visual performances with instrumental performers, which explore an abstract visual-music universe. Their projects have been presented since 2013 in Barcelona (Sònar, MAC Festival, LlumBCN, Lapsus Festival, la Mercè), Girona (VAD Festival), Taüll, Madrid, Seville, Bilbao, Gijón, Lanzarote (6th Art Biennial), Prague (Signal Festival), Las Vegas (LIB Festival), Houston, Karlsruhe, Metz, Bristol, Copenhagen, Chartres, Lyon and Macau and at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.