Carsten Nicolai
Carsten Nicolai, α (alpha) pulse, 2014. Art Basel Hong Kong 2014. Photo: Art Basel. Courtesy Galerie EIGEN + ART Leipzig/Berlin, Pace Gallery and Studio Carsten Nicolai. © Art Basel
“Does mathematics really exist or is it an abstraction that we have invented in order to explain ourselves? I think this is perfect for how I see art."
Carsten Nicolai. Photo: Andrey Bold
Working across visual and sonic media, Carsten Nicolai seeks to create all-encompassing sensory environments where sound and light frequencies become indissociable; sound is visualized and light made audible. Scientific reference systems and mathematical patterns, including grids and codes, error and self-organizing structures, all find expression in his minimalistic audio-visual compositions. Nicolai is also known as Alva Noto in the music industry and regularly performs in some of the world’s leading clubs and festivals under this moniker.
Nicolai has been the subject of more than 50 international solo exhibitions since 1987. Notable projects include α (alpha) pulse (2014), part of Art Basel Hong Kong 2014, which generated a pulsating light pattern across the entire facade of the 490-meter-high International Commerce Centre. Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto scored the music for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s The Revenant. The score was nominated for a Golden Globe, BAFTA, Grammy, and Critics Choice Award. He has also created the sound design for Iñárritu’s groundbreaking VR project Carne y Arena.
Carsten Nicolai, unicolor, 2014. DLP-projectors, DMX-LED lights, mirrors, computer, sound, bench with loudspeakers. Dimensions variable. Edition of 3. Photo: Julija Goyd. Courtesy Galerie EIGEN + ART Leipzig/Berlin and Pace Gallery
Carsten Nicolai, invertone, 2007. Sound, modular foam acoustic panels. Dimensions variable. Edition of 3. Photo: Uwe Walter. Courtesy Galerie EIGEN + ART Leipzig/Berlin and Pace Gallery
