Technology’s Flirtation with Art

Arts & CultureMarch 8, 2016
Technology’s Flirtation with Art

Zorlu PSM is hosting a well-rounded technological exhibition. Digital Revolution discusses the journey regarding technology over the past few decades, and questions what is next. The world is getting digitalized. It’s natural that the art world is getting affected by this. The future inhabitants of the next century will clearly notice the flirtation period between technology and art of today. Digitalization has created new horizons for the art world. There is a sense of revolution in the air. With improved techniques and newly discovered gadgets, creativity will expand endlessly compared to today. A transformative and progressive period is in the works, are you ready?

After London, Stockholm, and Athens

You can see the effortless synergy between technology and art in the Digital Revolution exhibition. Curated by one of Europe’s leading art center, Barbican Centre (formed in 1982 in London), this exhibition has arrived to Istanbul under Zorlu Performing Art Center’s sponsorship with Vestel as a co-sponsor, after it’s journey from London, to Stockholm, to Athens. This new exhibition will be on for viewing until June 12th at Zorlu Performing Art Center’s new gallery space Sky Lounge.

Digital Revolution is a comprehensive exhibition. There are works from all those who aren’t considered “artists” nowadays such as producers, software developers, game designers, musicians, and hackers. Don’t forget to keep this question in mind when you visit; who really is an artist? Is the term enough to express all the creatives of our day?

In contrast to many other exhibitions, taking pictures is encouraged, let alone being prohibited.

The Future calls out: ‘I’m Here’

The future makes a statement in this exhibition using creative coding techniques, intensified reality, the DIY culture, artificial intelligence, wearable technology and 3D print productions. Don’t miss out on this.

What could be considered as a trip down memory lane part of the exhibition includes incidents that shaped the eras such as ‘Pong’ (1972), ‘Space Invaders’ (1978), ‘Pac Man’ (1980). After that, you are left face to face with examples from the first computer. Not the room-sized ones, personal computers. The Commodore PET (1977) or the Breakout (1977).

Iconic characters are also included in this journey such as Super Mario, madcap Tomb Rider, and ‘Tetris’ with all it’s glory.

Who would want to escape good music anyway?

The three objects that draw the most attention in the exhibition are ‘The Pyramidi,’ ‘Wishing Wall’ and ‘Treachery of Sanctuary…’

‘The Pyramidi’ is a unique example of digital art, formed by Japanese musician and vocal artist Yuri Suzuki and Black Eyed Peas’ founder musician will.i.am with Pasha Shapiro and Ernst Weber. The project features three different instruments that have been transformed into a robot-machine. They play the uplifting song ‘Dreamin’ About The Future’ written for this installation by will.i.am. The face of the artist follows you anywhere you go in the room with big projections on the walls. Who would want to escape good music anyway?

Wishes that turn into Butterflies…

‘Wishing Wall’ focuses on one of the most instinctual needs of human kind; wishing. This installation by Mar Canet and Varvara Guljajeva features a sensor that allows you to make a wish. Your wish appears on a screen in front of you as words, then transforms into a butterfly! You can also hold your wish/butterfly in your hands.

Treachery of Sanctuary by Chris Milk allows participants to use the reflection of their bodies in a birth-death-metamorphosis story. A 10-meter, three-part representation of your shadow reflects on a three-panel construction. Moving bird figures interact with the shadow; the first panel representing birth, the second death, and the third metamorphosis. On the first panel, your shadow transforms into small birds flying around, the second one has other small birds eating it, and on the third, you become a huge newly-born bird.

There is no easy way out

Don’t miss out on Christopher Nolan’s famous Inception scene where the ground meets the sky, and your inception completely transforms. If you are a fan of space movies, you will love Alfonso Cuarón’s mini documentary on how he made the movie ‘Gravity.’

You can visit the exhibition weekdays (apart from Monday) from 10:00 – 20:30 and weekends from 10:00 – 20:00 until June 12th. You may purchase the tickets from bilet.zorlucenter.psm, biletix.com or from the gate. (30 TL for general admission and 15TL for students and 65+ years old.)

There aren’t many exhibitions that fulfill the curiosity of technological and artistic followers. Cherish Digital Revolution!

Author: Güliz Arslan

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