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Anu Raatikainen: Encounter

An interactive sculpture installation consisting of two sculptures which communicate with each other via light and sound. The work raises questions of our relationship to other species, nature, and technology.

Encounter is an interactive sculpture installation which consists of two sculptures that communicate with each other via light and sound. The two creature-like sculptures resemble an alien species: life forms between nature and technology.  

The viewer enters a dialogue communicated without words. One of the sculptures receives sound information, which controls the colour of the light emitted by the sculpture. The other sculpture, on the other hand, reads the colour of light with sensors. The information produced from this controls the sound created by the sculpture. In this way, an information loop forms between the two sculptures, which can be disturbed by singing into the microphone of one sculpture or by covering the light sensors of the other sculpture.

The viewer faces a choice to remain an observer or engage in the conversation. 

Demo: https://player.vimeo.com/video/580337420

Visual artist (Master of Fine Arts),b. 1990, Lives in Helsinki, Finland

Information

Artwork finished in: 2021

Light sources, materials, and equipment:   Led par lamp, light sensors, electronics, welded and sanded steel.

Dimensions of the work, approximately (width-height-depth):  3 x 1,5 x 1,5 m

Electricity consumption: Standard mains current (10A/16A).

Does the artwork use sound? Ambient sound.

Support and other structures: The work needs support structures, hanging points, or similar.

Structures, hardware, or other equipment needed from the client:  Work needs a hanging point for the other sculpture.

Minimum height of the space: 2 m

Minimum square meters of the space: 20 m2

Requirements for the space: darkness, temperature, colouring (light / dark / specific colour / other) etc.: Dim or dark, dry space. Not suitable for wet environments.

Building time and people required (estimate): Two people, the artist and possibly the collaborative engineer.

Artist's presence: Artist or their representative must be present during building.

Seen before at: Geminal, Oksasenkatu 11 - gallery, Helsinki, 2021