2009
Anodized aluminium box on pedestal, electronics, light, sound
Carsten Nicolai
The name Aoyama space derives from a photo studio in the Aoyama district of Tokyo, which provides a concave room with no edges thus achieving a spatial irritation of a seemingly endless space, as no spatial clues are available. the works of the series serve as scaled down models of imaginary room installations supposed to explore special spatial configurations. Due to their reduced size it is possible to realize radical spatial structures with complex characteristics and meticulous arrangements. in the interior of the boxes, differently executed model spaces – including curved surfaces, incisions, etc. – are visible each of which is illuminated by an individual play of light. the light is triggered by specially composed electronic sounds ranging from deep bass frequencies to high frequency click sounds that are also audible from inside the box. depending on the frequency modulations and the rhythm of the sound the interplay of space and light varies its appearance in shape, intensity and visual impression – the idea of spatial irritation is taken up and carried further to explore human perception and question subjective modes of spatial interpretation.
Artist bio:
Carsten Nicolai can be called a cross-border visual artist. As a researcher, musician and producer combined in one person, Nicolai seeks to overcome the division among the senses in human perception and to make it possible to experience scientific with the eyes as well as by hearing and touch. His installations radiate a minimalist aesthetics that captivates visitors with its emphasis on technology. Carsten Nicolai had solo-exhibitions at important German museums as the Temporäre Kunsthalle, Berlin, Hamburger Kunsthalle, Neue Nationalgalerie Berlin and Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt/Main as well as in Japan at the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media and Watari Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo. His works has been shown at the Biennials in Venice (Italy), the Singapore Biennial, the Moscow Biennial (Russia), the Site Santa Fee Biennial (Mexico), Liverpool Biennial (GB), Istanbul Biennial (Turkey) and at the Ducumenta in Kassel (Germany).
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