DIGITAL DREAMS, SUPERCHARGED

What happens when you combine a century-old boiler room, an army of graphics processing units (GPUs), and some of the most imaginative digital artists? You get SUBMERGE: Beyond the Render, a new exhibition by Artechouse. Now in its second edition, SUBMERGE is an immersive art show, part gallery and part creative experiment. Stepping into ARTECHOUSE NYC is always an experience but this time it felt like entering a moving book of graphic novels.

The space has been completely transformed into a temple of light, sound, and motion. Powered by Render Network’s decentralized GPU infrastructure (futuristic tech wizardry), artists have been able to create and display work on a scale previously reserved for major studios. At the heart of this exhibition is a lineup of digital creators who are shaping the movement. Works like VJ WOOO by Woosung Kang, and Protopica – The Ancestral Current by William Selviz, are truly mesmerizing, they delve into audiovisual storytelling with depth and precision. Selviz in particular, a creative technologist, blends AI, XR, and neuroscience into a hypnotic experience.

Emmy-winning duo Emily Yang (pplpleasr) and Maciej Kuciara set a completely different tone with White Rabbit, a dive through anime-inspired futurism, and Gavin Shapiro brings charm with Wingin’ It, a joyful digital dance of surreal characters and vibrant landscapes. Other highlights include: Satori: The Infinite Now by Josh Pierce; LATTICE by Mhx, a complex display of generative art built through procedural systems; The Adventures of the Toy Maker by Amrit Pal Singh, a hymn to Lego wrapped in playful, toy-like 3D illustrations; and Clarity by David Ariew and Chelsea Evenstar, a dreamlike escape into celestial serenity.

Every artist contributes a unique voice but, collectively, they form a chorus that is pushing immersive art to the forefront. What makes SUBMERGE different is its mission — to become a launch-pad for digital artists. Through mentorship, collaboration, and access to cutting-edge tools, the project supports creators in moving from digital platforms to full-scale immersive storytelling. By year’s end, select artists will be chosen for solo exhibitions and future development support, officially transforming this project into both an incubator and an innovator. What is the secret in the sauce? Render Network’s decentralized GPU power which connects thousands of idle computers around the world to give these artists the production muscle normally reserved for Marvel movies and NASA simulations.

ARTECHOUSE has long stood at the intersection of art and technology, and Beyond the Render feels like the American Idol of immersive media. Yes, the exhibition includes an XR Bar, so you can toast your journey through the multiverse with a neon cocktail before heading upstairs for the best fish tacos at Los Mariscos or downstairs for the best clam chowder at Lobster Place. This is New York, after all. Wear comfortable shoes and keep your mind open.

photos by ATH Studio

SUBMERGE: Beyond the Render
ARTECHOUSE NYC, Chelsea Market, 439 W. 15th St
enter from outside on 15th St between 9th and 10th Ave
Sun-Thurs 12-7; Fri 12-8, Sat 10-10
on sale through December, 2025
for tickets ($18-$28+booking fee), visit ARTECHOUSE