Ryoichi Kurokawa: unfold

About

This innovative sensory experience will premiere at Kurokawa’s first solo exhibition in the UK, presented by FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) in Liverpool from 11 March to 12 June 2016. The artist will be joined by Dr Vincent Minier, astrophysicist at the Institute of Research into the Fundamental Laws of the Universe‎ (CEA Irfu, Paris-Saclay), to discuss the exhibition and their cross-disciplinary practice.

unfold offers viewers an artistic, yet scientific, representation of how the solar system was born, and how our galaxy might evolve, and is the unique result of a dialogue between science and art. Kurokawa has been collaborating with Dr Minier, drawing on his astrophysical expertise to aid the construction of the artist’s vision of complex scientific data as close as possible to the truth, using 3D representations of space combined with interpretations of how star clusters form, until the birth of sun-like stars. By bringing this data to life, the artist transports the viewer into space through immersive visual and sonic environments, enhanced by bass shaking floors.

unfold is co-commissioned between FACT, Stereolux and University of Salford Art Collection, with the support of CEA Irfu – Paris-Saclay, Arcadi and DICRéAM. Supported by: The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, Stereolux, Arcadi, CEA Irfu – Paris-Saclay, DICRéAM, The Japan Society, Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Sound City and Sedition.

Speakers:

Ryoichi Kurokawa is an audio-visual artist who lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Kurokawa’s practice takes on multiple forms, such as installations, recordings, and concert pieces. His vast screen-based works create environments which combine audio and visuals to produce synchronised experiences where sound and image become a single unit. His works have been shown across the world at international festivals and museums including Tate Modern and the Venice Biennale. In 2010, he was awarded the Golden Nica at Prix Ars Electronica in the Digital Musics & Sound Art category.

Dr. Vincent Minier works as an astrophysicist at CEA in Saclay near Paris; a major French government-funded technological research organisation. He received his PhD in astrophysics from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. Star formation is Minier’s main field of expertise, and he has conducted observations with word-class telescopes both on Earth (Chile, Australia, US, Europe) and in space (Herschel space observatory). He works with digital artists and makers on exhibits, videos in motion design or installation with the vision of creating an accessible approach to science and technology.