Heliosphere is an immersive generative artwork exploring the boundaries of time, space, and perception. A collaboration between SUUM Studio and composer David Donaldson (DD3), the piece is inspired by the first recorded sounds from Titan and the final images captured by Voyager 2 as it crossed the heliopause, leaving our Solar System and continuing its journey into interstellar space.

This multi-layered digital experience combines 3D animation, generative visuals, and film footage to examine the fragility and transformation of boundaries—between planetary systems, between cellular structures, and within our own shifting world. It responds to the social, political, and environmental upheavals of recent years, drawing parallels between the heliospheric shield that protects our Solar System and the unseen forces that define life on Earth.

The Science Behind the Art

The heliosphere is a vast, bubble-like boundary shaped by the solar wind and magnetic field of the Sun. It acts as a protective shield, sheltering the planets from interstellar radiation. As Voyager 2 moved beyond the termination shock, heliosheath, and heliopause, it became one of the only spacecraft in history to enter interstellar space—a moment of transition that echoes throughout Heliosphere.

A Visually & Sonically Immersive Experience

The artwork’s 3D environments shift and evolve, echoing the constant motion of cosmic forces. Generative forms mimic celestial bodies and microscopic structures, creating a sense of infinity and impermanence. The piece is scored with original sound design, incorporating spatial audio techniques to immerse audiences in the eerie, otherworldly resonance of space.

Heliosphere invites viewers to consider: What happens when we cross a boundary? How do these thresholds shape our understanding of time and existence?