Ryoji Ikeda’s Solo Exhibition

Originally from Japan and now based in Paris, Ryoji Ikeda is known for his unique style that combines scientific data and technology into contemporary artworks. He has received widespread acclaim in both art and electronic music circles, performing on stage and in exhibition halls. The Ryoji Ikeda exhibition at the Estonian National Museum is a rare opportunity to experience his world-class creations in Tartu.

Ikeda’s work has been greatly inspired by science and in 2014-2015 his residency at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) took place. His residency at CERN resulted in the piece supersymmetry, for which Ikeda received the prestigious Ars Electronica award (Collide@CERN 2014 Prix Ars Electronica). In 2015-2016, the exhibition project was also on display at the Kumu Art Museum.

In 2024, Ikeda will return to Estonia more powerfully than ever before! Ryoji Ikeda's Solo Exhibition is part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme.

INSTALLATIONS
TEAM

INSTALLATIONS
Ikeda’s solo exhibition, which has a direct connection with the research being conducted in Estonia and with Estonian music, will be open at the Estonian National Museum. Ikeda has created two new works especially for the Estonian National Museum: an audiovisual installation based on the scientific data of the Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Estonian Biocentre, and a sound installation created in collaboration with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir.

the critical paths (2024)
Ryoji Ikeda’s new audiovisual work the critical paths is a large corridor that spans 25 meters across the gallery space; its ceiling will be filled by LED screens and the walls will be made of mirrors. On the LED screens, tremendous amount of genomic data, which are provided from the institute of genomics at Tartu University, run and flow across the entire space. Visitors will walk through the data flow of human history since the dawn of time with sublime experience.

concept, composition: Ryoji Ikeda
computer graphics, programming: Tomonaga Tokuyama
commissioned by European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 in collaboration with Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu

vox aeterna (2024)
The multi-channel sound installation vox aeterna consists of a diverse array of voices, all woven into a powerful composition. The Latin title vox aeterna, which translates as “Eternal Voice”, or “Timeless Voice”, evokes a sense of the transcendent and enduring nature of the human voice and choral expression. The vocal sounds are provided by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and Ryoji Ikeda transforms these raw materials into a multi-phonic composition for a 9-channel speaker system. The human voice, one of the most primal expressions of our existence, has been present since the dawn of humanity. From a baby’s cry to a child’s laughter, the voice carries our earliest emotions. vox aeterna captures this essence, creating an eerie and atmospheric soundscape that seems to celebrate the full spectrum of our existence – whether positive or negative. Visitors to the exhibition will first encounter this immersive work as they confront the entrance to a long corridor, walking the critical paths that lead them deeper into the experience.

concept, composition: Ryoji Ikeda
commissioned by European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 in collaboration with Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

In addition, one artwork that already exists, the audiovisual installation data-verse, will be exhibited.

data-verse 1 completes an epic cycle of works visualsing large quantities of data. The projection reduces the immense difference in scale between small elementary particles and the enormity of the universe into individual building blocks of pixels and white noise. Utilising massive scientific sets of data, Ikeda has developed mathematical compositions to process and re-articulate the raw data into digital artworks that conjure an aesthetic and auditory sublime through patterns and modelling of these elemental building blocks. The presentation takes the form of a large-scale high-definition Hollywood-standard 4K DCI video projection that immerses the visitors in an ocean of aural and visual data that makes visible the trove of scientific information which conditions our existence. The minimalist electronic soundtrack weaves entrancing layers of white noise and alludes to the different dimensions that encompass the natural world, allowing us to grasp the contours of the vast sum of matter and information that populates our environs

concept, composition: Ryoji Ikeda
computer graphics, programming: Norimichi Hirakawa, Tomonaga Tokuyama, Satoshi Hama, Ryo Shiraki
commissioned by Audemars Piguet Contemporary

TEAM
Curator: Kati Torp, Artistic Director of Tartu 2024
Project Management: Hege-Lee Paiste, Tartu 2024; Laura Kipper, Estonian National Museum

Project Team
Ryoji Ikeda Studio: Ryoji Ikeda, Tomonaga Tokuyama, Emmanuelle de Montgazon, Reiko Kawakado, Satori Kita
Estonian National Museum: Piret Simson, Aivi Jürgenson, Tiit Sibul, Taavi Toom, Liina Kuzemtšenko, Märt Puusta, Kaidi-Lisa Kivisalu, Laura Maria Meltsas, Tuuli Kaalep, Ivi Tammaru, Arvi Tragel, Oliver Kulpsoo, Merle Roomets, Kertu Saks
Tartu 2024 Foundation: Sille Talvet-Unt, Hanna Simona Allas, Priit Rand, Marili Vihmann, Armas Riives, Krõõt Filippov, Liisi Rohtung, Maanus Kullamaa, Toomas Peterson, Kaisa Hansson, Marcus Rauniste, Mona Menets, Kerli Peetsalu, Hele Priimets
Technical solutions in collaboration with Eidotech, Thierry Ollivier, Klaasmerk AS, Bart.ee OÜ; Eventech OÜ

Artistic Collaboration
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir: Esper Linnamägi, Tõnu Kaljuste, Mai Simson
University of Tartu Institute of Genomics: Kristiina Tambets, Alena Kushniarevich, Lehti Saag, Monika Karmin, Erik Abner