Turkish-born Refik Anadol is an LA-based media artist who has created a shapeshifting sculpture based on brain power. His installation Melting Memories “combines data paintings, light projections, and augmented data sculptures to visibly demonstrate how the brain recalls memories.” Between the visuals and their pacing and the sound design by Kerim Karaoglu, it’s just damn mesmerizing.
From a statement on the project:
Comprising data paintings, augmented data sculptures and light projections, the project as a whole debuts new advances in technology that enable visitors to experience aesthetic interpretations of motor movements inside a human brain.
Anadol’s bio describes his work:
He is an emerging artist working in the fields of live audio/visual performance, site-specific immersive installation and parametric sculpture, particularly his works explore the space among digital and physical entities by creating a hybrid relationship between architecture and media arts.
Ok- I know that sounds like a lot of “wut?” but it starts to make sense once you view some of his pieces.
The artist has a superior website. Once you move over the grid of frames, it’s entirely seductive to anyone inclined to spend some time. It’s a rabbit-hole of layered choices that do indeed immerse the viewer.
Hovering over a rectangular frame and clicking on the popup will reveal a video. I randomly chose “The Aether Project” and was rewarded with a very satisfying installation short, an approach that’s not what you’d expect. I was in the mood and so I was transfixed. The visuals are stunning but I have to say it would be a much lesser experience without the masterful sound design. All the metal in my studio was low-level buzzing from the bass register and it only added to the vibe. Anadol’s work and its application to the web is very cinematographic.
Now that I’ve thrown all that at you, here’s the piece that got me hooked on his work. Enjoy the trip.
Find Refik Anadol on the net where he keeps an up-to-date presence:
Featured image is a screenshot of a Melting Memories installation frame provided at Anadol’s site.
