TARTU.- Ryoji Ikeda (born 1966 in Gifu, Japan) is a globally renowned visual and sound artist, widely recognized for his groundbreaking, science-inspired works and technologically advanced installations. Known for his large-scale installations and immersive electronic compositions, Ikeda’s work often explores the intersection of data, mathematics, and sound, creating profound sensory experiences that challenge perception and engage audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels.
In 2024, Tartu, along with Southern Estonia, holds the title of European Capital of Culture. The artistic concept Arts of Survival explores and addresses the skills, knowledge, and values that help us lead fulfilling lives now and in the future. One of the four programme lines of Arts of Survival, Tartu with the Universe, explores the rapidly advancing technological landscape and its impact on individuals, society, and culture. Ryoji Ikeda’s solo exhibition plays a pivotal role in the Tartu 2024 programme, offering a powerful reflection of our era while showcasing Estonia’s scientific and cultural achievements on the global stage.
The exhibition features three artworks, two of which have been commissioned by Tartu 2024 specifically for this occasion. The multi-channel sound installation vox aeterna (2024), which translates from Latin to “Eternal Voice” or “Timeless Voice”, incorporates various human voices, with the complete vocal range provided by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. At the heart of this work lies the human voice, the most primal sound since the existence of humankind. the critical paths (2024), set within a corridor-like structure and inspired by research conducted by the Estonian Biobank, features LED screens displaying a vast flow of genomic data. Visitors can walk through this stream of human history, from the dawn of time, creating a sublime experience.
In addition to these artworks, Ryoji Ikeda’s acclaimed installation data-verse 1/2/3 (2019–2020) completes the exhibition, showcasing a key piece from his oeuvre that began in 2000. This audio-visual symphonic suite encompasses all scales of nature, from elementary particles to the universe. It processes massive scientific datasets from sources like CERN, NASA, and The Human Genome Project, transforming them into visual and sonic experiences that reveal the hidden dimensions of our world. This large-scale trilogy exemplifies Ikeda’s data-driven composition, utilizing precise computer programming to capture the intricate facets of nature and the vast scientific data underpinning our existence.
This exhibition urgently addresses our current times, exploring essential and timeless questions through the lens of rapidly advancing science and its impact on society. It is vital to examine these themes in Europe, Tartu, and at the Estonian National Museum, which connects our human past with diverse narratives of the future. The exhibition has been specially designed to resonate within the unique space of the Estonian National Museum.
Curator: Kati Torp, Artistic Director of Tartu 2024
