ryoji ikeda exhibits audio-visual trilogy 'data-verse' for audemars piguet at the venice biennale

electronic composer and visual artist ryoji ikeda unveils ‘data-verse’, an audio-visual trilogy supported by audemars piguet, at the 2019 venice biennale — on view in the arsenale through november 24, 2019. the work immerses visitors in the vast data universe in which we live, capturing hidden facets of nature and the vast scientific knowledge underpinning our existence.

massive open source scientific data sets from various institutions — including CERN, NASA and the human genome project — were processed, transcribed, converted, transformed, and orchestrated to visualize and sonify the different dimensions co-existing in our world, from the microscopic, to the human, to the macroscopic.

all images courtesy of la biennale di venezia, the artist and audemars piguet | © ryoji ikeda studio

the first variation of ikeda’s ‘data-verse’ comes to life on a large-scale screen. generated by extremely precise computer programming, the work comprises a minimalist electronic soundtrack and high-definition video projections of scientific data. independently from data-verse, ikeda presents another artwork in the giardini, in the exhibition organized by this year’s curator ralph rugoff. this site-specific installation, titled ‘spectra III,’ consists of LED lighting tubes and laminated white wooden panels. ikeda comments: ‘when I set out making this work, my approach was always, first and foremost, that of a composer. rather than creating a traditional musical composition, I used data as my source material, applying a system and structure as you would with any score.‘

the presentation of ikeda’s ‘data-verse’ on the world-stage of the 2019 biennale continues audemars piguet’s mission of supporting artists, whose practices mirror the manufacturer’s complexity, precision and experiential craft, in producing and exhibiting complex artworks. the high level of artistry in ikeda’s work aligns harmoniously with audemars piguet’s craftsmanship, creativity and drive for innovation. ikeda explains: ‘I was impressed by the watchmakers’ craftsmanship and the incredibly high level of precision that they put into their haute horlogerie. the synergy between technical collaborators and programmers to produce something technically intricate, yet artistically unrestrained, resonates with my artistic process.’