In yesterday's post we moved from the architectural surface to explore the external layer of different products as analysed in an exhibition. Yet there are artists out there currently exploring the surface in a revolutionary way, creating abstract and intangible digital layers for immersive experiences, such as the group of Ultra-tehnologists that goes under the name of teamLab.
Founded in Tokyo by Toshiyuki Inoko, the group includes programmers (user interface/database/network/hardware/computer vision engineers and software architects), mathematicians, architects, CG animators, web designers, graphic designers and artists. Their work has been so far exhibited in established galleries all over the world.
teamLab usually moves from ancient Japanese art and traditions, but mainly works with new technologies and their art crosses the boundaries between design, technology, science and the creative industries. Their projects are indeed focused on impalpable and immaterial digital surfaces and immersive experiences.
Their latest project is characterised by a long and mysterious title - "Crows are Chased and the Chasing Crows are Destined to be Chased as well, Blossoming on Collision - Light in Space" - and features in "The Universe and Art" exhibition at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo (until 9th January 2017).
This interactive digital installation invites visitors to walk around freely in a space that embraces them with myriads of projections: the Japanese mythical bird called "Yatagarasu" (three legged crow), is rendered in light as it flies all around the space, leaving trails of light in its path and creating spatial calligraphy. Crows chase each other, then try to chase the visitors and eventually splinter into flowers.
If you look at the video of the installation on YouTube you realise that the boundary between the walls and floor dissolves and gives the impression to visitors that the real physical space around them has suddenly disappeared, projecting them in a deeper space with no depth (the final effect is similar to the one Yayoi Kusama obtained in her infinity rooms covered in dots). The most interesting thing about this work is that it is rendered in real time by a computer program, so this is not a pre-recorded animation nor on loop: it is indeed the interaction between the viewer and the installation and the position of the viewers and their behaviour, that cause continuous change in the artwork.
Some art critics dislike these installations since they invite people to enjoy and experience art as a collective and not in a (more mature) one to one relationship (think about a visitor to an exhibition watching a painting or a sculpture); others tend to see these installations as light shows accompanied by uplifting videogame-style music for a good interactive fun, and they seem unable to grasp the power of the technology behind them.
Yet these works definitely appeal to a generation of people who are into technology, so it is about time we started considering these installations as proper art.
Critics who still harbour doubts about them will have the time to admire more works by teamLab next year during "Transcending Boundaries" (Jan 25, 2017 - Mar 11, 2017) at PACE London (6 Burlington Gardens). The exhibition will explore the role of digital technology in transcending the physical and conceptual boundaries that exist between different artworks, and will include imagery from one work breaking free of the frame and entering the space of another.
In the meantime people in Tokyo can enjoy the latest installation by teamLab designed for the windows of the Ginza-based jeweller Mikimoto: a tree made of small beads of light shines in a dark forest and, when a person approaches, the shining tree becomes "a pearl of light" that scatters around buds generating more trees.
Who knows, after these Christmas windows maybe the next frontier for teamLab will be a collaboration with a fashion house. A while back they created an installation revolving around a floral theme in which digital flowers blossomed not just around the people moving in a space, but also on their clothes and, when flowers came close to another person they spread in that direction and connected. Buds grew, then started to wither and faded away to symbolise the cycle of growth and decay repeating perpetuity. Could be a great idea for an impalpable digital fashion collection...
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