Under the Dome, Rendering the Future:

Since its launch in 2020, the Future Vision Lab (FVL) experimental project has utilized the cutting-edge C-LAB Dome (FVL Dome) to boldly explore the boundless possibilities of immersive art. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the few experimental platforms in Asia to come up to global standards and integrate with the world artistic community.

The comprehensive 2026 program brings together an impressive roster of creators from Taiwan, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Through a lineup of exhibitions, film screenings, and live performances, the event has initiated a profound transnational dialogue between advanced technology and contemporary art.

A silver, sci-fi-esque hemisphere sits prominently on the east lawn of C-LAB, a sprawling cultural park formerly housing Taiwan’s Air Force Command Headquarters. (photo by Lin Hsuan-lang)

The Dome as a masterpiece

Rather than relying on the triangular geodesic tent structures commonly utilized internationally, the FVL team deliberately opted for a more experimental architectural design for its dome. By willingly taking on highly complex computational and construction challenges, they achieved uniqueness in both form and spatial dynamics. This ensured that the Dome, fully developed and manufactured in and by Taiwan, stands as an extraordinary “artwork” in its own right.

The sophisticated second-generation Dome ingeniously conceals its array of projectors and acoustic equipment entirely within a dual-layer structure. This allows for a 25.4-channel immersive soundscape paired with breathtaking 8K×8K high-resolution projection, creating a deeply enveloping experience where sound and image become entirely inseparable.

Furthermore, the bold incorporation of a mirrored floor within the domed venue is a spatial design rarely seen anywhere in the world. This allows the projected imagery to extend seamlessly downward into a reflected complete spherical space—a striking visual signature that has left a profound impression on visiting international artists.

Despite its size, the Dome is also fully mobile. Following its inauguration in 2023, it was successfully relocated for a special exhibition at National Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu. FVL Project Principal Warrick Tsai points out that the structure was originally conceptualized as a creative response to spatial limitations. Looking ahead, he hopes to actively utilize this mobile theater to transport Taiwanese creations onto the broader international stage.

Running for eight consecutive weekends from April 18 to June 7, “Future Vision Lab 2026” presents the public with 16 programs and 19 innovative works. (photo by Lin Hsuan-lang)

Forging international links through contemporary art

Proactive international exchange has marked a vital turning point for the FVL initiative. Tsai recalls that prior to 2022, Taiwan was relatively isolated in the niche field of dome creation. However, after establishing a formal partnership with Canada’s Society for Arts and Technology in 2023, FVL officially entered the global dome community. This opened the doors for collaborative, cross-border interactions between Taiwanese and international creators, significantly broadening the island’s artistic horizons.

Compared to massive, entertainment-driven commercial venues like the Sphere in Las Vegas, USA, FVL focuses on the intersection of contemporary art and technological performance. Tsai notes that institutions dedicated to this high-art type of dome remain scarce anywhere in the world. Whether evaluated on hardware specifications or creative caliber, Taiwan possesses the capacity to operate directly on par with top international standards.

FVL Project Principal Warrick Tsai. (photo by Jimmy Lin)

Global artists experimenting under the Dome

This year’s curated works showcase a rich diversity of global perspectives. French artist Sandrine Deumier presents Following the Deer (Xun Lu). Utilizing striking visual silhouette techniques, the piece vividly depicts the sacred deer-hunting rituals that Taiwan’s indigenous Siraya people likely performed in the island’s forests 400 years ago, inspiring modern viewers to reimagine a sustainable future.

Two works supported by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) that have just triumphantly returned to Taiwan following their U.S. premieres are also featured in FVL2026. New Modern Times intricately weaves together quintessential Taiwanese cultural elements—such as traditional temple rituals, the revered sea goddess Mazu, and bustling night markets—into a mesmerizing display of AI-generated imagery. This collaborative tour de force by tech-art groups Hello World, Dimension Plus, and Hello Edo! is further elevated by a powerful musical lineup featuring indigenous Paiwan singer Kivi, trendy electronic DJ Mr. Skin (Lai Pi), and acclaimed composer Lim Giong. Meanwhile, Temporal Strata, co-created by Wu Ping-sheng and Liou Jie, elegantly utilizes digital particles and dynamic lighting to compose an enchanting visual poem.

FVL’s self-produced segment, Future Vision Party #3, invites Taiwanese artists Liu Tung-yu, Lin Yude, and Warrick Tsai to perform collectively in real time, sparking brilliant flashes of improvisational chemistry. Meanwhile, Tim Wei’s exhibition piece Stalking for Errors cleverly uses targeted soundscapes and imagery to partition the Dome into distinct spatial zones, allowing each wandering audience member to experience different “truths.”

A “Short Film Compilation” segment newly introduced this year challenges talented artists from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to adapt their existing works into dome-specific immersive shorts. The stunning, wrap-around results boldly demonstrate the raw power of experimental creativity. Furthermore, a highly engaging family-friendly collaboration with Telling Tent titled The Pond Nation Election has drawn enthusiastic crowds of parents and children, selling out every single performance and proving that sophisticated tech-art is something that can be enjoyed in mainstream daily life.

In addition, FVL actively collaborates with major academic institutions—including National Tsing Hua University, Taipei National University of the Arts, and National Taipei University of Technology—to continually cultivate the next generation of digital creators. Tsai observes that the younger demographic is already heavily utilizing AI assistance, and though their overall artistic maturity is still being honed, their unbridled imaginations inject refreshing new life into the Dome.

A collaborative tour de force by Hello World, Dimension Plus, Hello Edo!, Paiwan singer Kivi, electronic DJ Mr. Skin (Lai Pi), and Lim Giong, New Modern Times masterfully combines traditional Taiwanese cultural elements with the digital fantasies of the AI generation to forge an avant-garde visual epic. (courtesy of the artists)

The resonant future of “glasses-free” VR

In stark contrast to the highly individualized, often isolating experience of wearing a standard Virtual Reality (VR) headset, the charm of the Dome lies in its “shared resonance.” Audiences collectively immerse themselves in the exact same sights and sounds, allowing each other’s physical breathing and emotional reactions to become an integral part of the experience. When the mirrored floor creates a complete, unbroken projection through reflection, everyone feels as though they are floating together in an entirely different universe.

Ultimately, what FVL has crafted is far more than just a spectacular audiovisual feast; it serves as a vibrant node connecting Taiwan directly with the global immersive art scene. Carrying the weight of Taiwan’s technological prowess and creative energy, this extraordinary dome continues its voyage into the uncharted sensory frontiers of the future.

The collaborative work Mount Ecstasy, created by Taiwanese artists Yao Jui-chung, Kuo Yi, and Meuko Meuko, manifests a mesmerizing intersection of mythology and contemporary society. (Photo by Wang Shih-pang, ANPIS FOTO; courtesy of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts) 

South Korean artist Jimmy Yu’s Biche 1 creatively imagines the architectural dome itself as an extension of the breast, deeply exploring the female physical experience and the nuances of self-identity. (courtesy of the artist)

The piece Stalking for Errors by Tim Wei cleverly utilizes multi-directional sound and imagery to express individualized “truths,” prompting audiences to radically rethink the diverse possibilities of knowledge, history, and cognitive perception. (courtesy of the artist) 

FVL actively maintains ongoing educational collaborations with higher learning institutions. Pictured here is a creative work produced by National Tsing Hua University students utilizing the FVL Dome in 2024. (photo by Lin Hsuan-lang)