Visually Impaired Directors Use AI to Create SARUKANI Music Video

A new music video project uses generative AI to translate sound into visuals. The project, titled 'The Unseen Beauty,' was directed by four visually impaired creators. The human beatbox crew SARUKANI provided the track.

The video for 'CROWN (Water Remix)' premiered April 8 on SARUKANI's official YouTube channel. A documentary on the creative process is available on a dedicated project site.

The directors interpreted SARUKANI's original song 'CROWN' using non-visual senses. They built a narrative based on those perceptions. Generative AI was then used to create the accompanying visuals. The track was subsequently remixed to match the new video's atmosphere.

SARUKANI, a beatbox crew who have performed on OnlyHits Japan, said they connected with the project's theme of perceiving the unseen. They described their music as being built from sounds generated by the body.

The project was supported by AI creator Akihiro Miyagi and scriptwriter/director Junpei Hirota. Miyagi aimed to get as close as possible to the images in the directors' minds. Hirota remarked on the participants' delicate language in describing sound.

The four directors come from diverse backgrounds including e-sports, voice acting, engineering, and theater. They described the freedom of creating without visual memory or technical knowledge of cinematography.

The music video and the 'CROWN (Water Remix)' track are available globally.

The project was organized by ePARA, a company focused on creating opportunities for people with disabilities. Their previous initiatives include barrier-free e-sports events.

The music video is on YouTube. The documentary is on the project site. The track is available for streaming via ORICON.

Source: PR Times via 株式会社ePARA