datamatics

“On-screen data-streams, an unremitting flow of zeros and ones, created a witty and mesmerising effect and coalesced with the sound to justify claims of synaesthesia … datamatics showed Ikeda at the height of his powers, building on his own unique and unmistakable artistic language.” – The Wire

Using pure data as a source for sound and visuals, datamatics is a performance work by Ryoji Ikeda that combines abstract and mimetic presentations of matter, time and space in a powerful and breathtakingly accomplished work.

Ryoji Ikeda's datamatics series is an art project that explores the potential to perceive the invisible multi-substance of data that permeates our world. Projecting dynamic, computer-generated imagery - in paired down black and white with striking colour accents, Ikeda's intense yet minimal graphic renderings of data progress through multiple dimensions. From 2D sequences of patterns derived from hard drive errors and studies of software code, the imagery transforms into dramatic, rotating views of the universe in 3D, whilst the final scenes add a further dimension as four-dimensional mathematical processing opens up spectacular and seemingly infinite vistas.

A powerful and hypnotic soundtrack reflects the imagery through a meticulous layering of sonic components to produce immense and apparently boundless acoustic spaces.