The internationally renowned Berlin artist, Carsten Nicolai will present a new work during Art Basel’s Hong Kong show. Each night from May 15 to 17, 2014, α (alpha) pulse‘s generated light pattern will pulsate in a synchronized frequency across the entire façade of Hong Kong’s iconic 490 meter high International Commerce Centre (ICC) on the Kowloon harbor front. An accompanying mobile phone application will allow audiences to participate in the light installation.
Like a lighthouse, the tower will send its pulses into the city, reaching out to Hong Kong residents and visitors. α (alpha) pulse is an experimental construction that looks at the effects of audiovisual stimulation on the human perception. In accordance with scientific research, α (alpha) pulse is based on the principles of neural feedback on pulsating light sources. The work presents an experiential set-up that explores the effects that the light impulses might have on the mood, relaxation, attention, and creativity of viewers.
Visible from numerous locations across Hong Kong and accessible via the app, α (alpha) pulse can be experienced by people all over the city. Designed by Nicolai, the app will provide the audio for the installation and respond to the light display on the ICC, adding another layer to the installation. Recommended public places to watch α (alpha) pulse are Tamar Park, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and the terrace on Podium 3 and 4 of the IFC Mall.
Carsten Nicolai lives and works in Berlin and Chemnitz, Germany. His work is influenced by scientific reference systems and mathematic patterns, and has been presented at Documenta X and the Venice Biennale. He has previously performed his audio-visual pieces at MoMA and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Centre Pompidou in Paris, and Tate Modern in London. Nicolai was recently awarded the Grand Prize by The 17th Japan Media Arts Festival. The artist is represented by Galerie EIGEN + ART, Leipzig/Berlin and Pace Gallery, New York.
α (alpha) pulse is commissioned and organized by Art Basel.
About Art Basel
Art Basel stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary works, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, and Hong Kong. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. In addition to ambitious stands featuring leading galleries from around the globe, each show’s singular exhibition sectors spotlight the latest developments in the visual arts, offering visitors new ideas, new inspiration and new contacts in the art world.
About Art Basel in Hong Kong
Art Basel’s second edition in Hong Kong is taking place Thursday, May 15, to Sunday, May 18, 2014 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The Hong Kong show of Art Basel, whose Lead Partner is UBS, will feature 245 premier galleries, from 39 countries and territories. With over half of its galleries having exhibition spaces in Asia and the Asia-Pacific region – including 24 galleries with exhibition spaces in Hong Kong – Art Basel underlines its commitment to showcasing the best art from the region. The show will include for the first time a Film sector, curated by Li Zhenhua, and hosted in collaboration with the Hong Kong Arts Centre.
Art Basel in Hong Kong Selection Committee
The Selection Committee for Art Basel in Hong Kong is comprised of renowned international gallerists: Emi Eu, Singapore Tyler Print Institute, Singapore; Shireen Gandhy, Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai; Suzie Kim, Kukje Gallery, Seoul; Maho Kubota, Scai The Bathhouse, Tokyo; David Maupin, Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong; Urs Meile, Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing-Lucerne; Massimo De Carlo, Massimo De Carlo, Milan and London; Zhang Wei, Vitamin Creative Space, Guangzhou and Beijing. The experts for the Discoveries sector are Atsuko Ninagawa, Take Ninagawa, Tokyo, and Finola Jones, mother’s tankstation, Dublin. The expert for Modern Art is Mathias Rastorfer, Galerie Gmurzynska, Zurich.