Current Exhibition
Ryoji Ikeda
data-verse
March 6 - July 4, 2026
In his data-verse (2019-2020), Ryoji Ikeda is driven by scientific facts, which he extracts from his studies of quantum physics and mathematical theories. According to the artist, it is the result of an accumulation of research gathered over the course of sixteen years.
The work stems from Ikeda's yearning to understand what nature is and its scientific principles. Therefore, the building blocks of his visuals are sourced from particle physics, cosmology, astrophysics, and extensive data sets from institutions such as NASA, CERN, and The Human Genome Project. Understanding concepts such as galactic coordinates, the structure of protein and DNA, and deciphering their information from scratch became the foundation of the work. Through his self-developed mathematical compositions, the artist creates patterns and models that draw forth his aesthetic and imagery. Layered with a minimalist soundscape, it uses data sonification to convey the intricacies and the multidimensionality of our existence. By using sound, light, and composition, the viewer is encapsulated in a multi-sensory experience, engaging them both physically and analytically.
The data-verse portrays a vast undertaking by Ikeda, aiming to shed light on the properties of microscopic systems, such as the quantum state of atoms and elementary particles, most of which are invisible to the human eye. The artist tackles the human world, both our bodily existence as well as the structures of our cities, the internet, air traffic, and climate. The immense dimensions of galaxies serve as another component of the work, which is the macroscopic world. Ranging from the Earth to superclusters and the likelihood of a multiverse, Ikeda takes on theoretical physics and the spherical regions of the cosmos. Playing with scale and dualities, data-verse pushes audiences towards new modes of experiencing knowledge as art, as we currently live our everyday lives within a major data surge. There are currently more bytes of digital data than there are estimated stars in the observable universe, but its true value lies in its ability to be experienced and yield actionable insights.
About the artist:
Leading composer and visual artist Ryoji Ikeda (b. 1966, Gifu, Japan) focuses on the essential characteristics of sound itself and that of visuals as light by means of both mathematical precision and mathematical aesthetics. Ikeda has gained a reputation as one of the few international artists working convincingly across both visual and sonic media. He elaborately orchestrates sound, visuals, materials, physical phenomena, and mathematical notions into immersive live performances and installations. Alongside pure musical activity, Ikeda has been working on long-term projects through live performances, installations, books, and CDs. Since 2008, he presented solo exhibitions in major institutions worldwide, such as Centre Pompidou Paris, Park Avenue Armory New York, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, ZKM Centre for Art and Media Karlsruhe, Eye Filmmuseum Amsterdam, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, 180 The Strand London , Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art, Amos Rex Helsinki, High Museum of Art Atlanta, National Asian Cultural Center Gwangju, amongst others. He lives and works in Paris, France, and Kyoto, Japan.
Ryoji Ikeda
data-verse 2
2019
DCI-4K DLP projector, computer, speakers
Concept, composition: Ryoji Ikeda
Computer graphics, programming: Norimichi Hirakawa, Tomonaga Tokuyama, Satoshi Hama, Ryo Shiraki
Commissioned by Audemars Piguet Contemporary
The work stems from Ikeda's yearning to understand what nature is and its scientific principles. Therefore, the building blocks of his visuals are sourced from particle physics, cosmology, astrophysics, and extensive data sets from institutions such as NASA, CERN, and The Human Genome Project. Understanding concepts such as galactic coordinates, the structure of protein and DNA, and deciphering their information from scratch became the foundation of the work. Through his self-developed mathematical compositions, the artist creates patterns and models that draw forth his aesthetic and imagery. Layered with a minimalist soundscape, it uses data sonification to convey the intricacies and the multidimensionality of our existence. By using sound, light, and composition, the viewer is encapsulated in a multi-sensory experience, engaging them both physically and analytically.
The data-verse portrays a vast undertaking by Ikeda, aiming to shed light on the properties of microscopic systems, such as the quantum state of atoms and elementary particles, most of which are invisible to the human eye. The artist tackles the human world, both our bodily existence as well as the structures of our cities, the internet, air traffic, and climate. The immense dimensions of galaxies serve as another component of the work, which is the macroscopic world. Ranging from the Earth to superclusters and the likelihood of a multiverse, Ikeda takes on theoretical physics and the spherical regions of the cosmos. Playing with scale and dualities, data-verse pushes audiences towards new modes of experiencing knowledge as art, as we currently live our everyday lives within a major data surge. There are currently more bytes of digital data than there are estimated stars in the observable universe, but its true value lies in its ability to be experienced and yield actionable insights.
About the artist:
Leading composer and visual artist Ryoji Ikeda (b. 1966, Gifu, Japan) focuses on the essential characteristics of sound itself and that of visuals as light by means of both mathematical precision and mathematical aesthetics. Ikeda has gained a reputation as one of the few international artists working convincingly across both visual and sonic media. He elaborately orchestrates sound, visuals, materials, physical phenomena, and mathematical notions into immersive live performances and installations. Alongside pure musical activity, Ikeda has been working on long-term projects through live performances, installations, books, and CDs. Since 2008, he presented solo exhibitions in major institutions worldwide, such as Centre Pompidou Paris, Park Avenue Armory New York, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, ZKM Centre for Art and Media Karlsruhe, Eye Filmmuseum Amsterdam, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, 180 The Strand London , Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art, Amos Rex Helsinki, High Museum of Art Atlanta, National Asian Cultural Center Gwangju, amongst others. He lives and works in Paris, France, and Kyoto, Japan.
Ryoji Ikeda
data-verse 2
2019
DCI-4K DLP projector, computer, speakers
Concept, composition: Ryoji Ikeda
Computer graphics, programming: Norimichi Hirakawa, Tomonaga Tokuyama, Satoshi Hama, Ryo Shiraki
Commissioned by Audemars Piguet Contemporary