Famous Japanese artist opens a solo exhibition based on scientific data in the Capital of Culture
The renowned Japanese artist and composer Ryoji Ikeda will open a solo exhibition in the Estonian National Museum on Saturday, 2 November. The exhibition will feature two new works based on DNA data and the human voice, created specifically for the Tartu 2024 programme. On the same evening the premiere of a composition by Ikeda and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir will be presented under the conduction of Tõnu Kaljuste.
Ryoji Ikeda has become well-known in the art scene with his large-scale installations which are often based on scientific data,” said Kati Torp, Artistic Director of European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024. Torp, who has worked with Ikeda before, highlighted the artist’s unique ability to bring art and science together in a way that is detailed, but also audiovisually engaging.
Ryoji Ikeda worked together with the University of Tartu Institute of Genomics and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir to create two new installations. Additionally, visitors can see data-verse, a well-known installation among Ikeda’s earlier work in 2019–2020.
The first audiovisual installation was developed in collaboration with scientists of the University of Tartu Institute of Genomics and lead by the professor of archaeogenomics Kristiina Tambets. Named the critical paths, it uses the DNA data of people living today and those who lived in the past in the Estonian territories to illustrate the evolutionary history of our species.
The second piece created specifically for the Estonian National Museum is a sound installation vox aeterna. It uses the human voice in order to create a completely unique listening experience. The vocals are provided by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. In addition, visitors can see data-verse 1/2/3 – an audiovisual series which encompasses the whole of nature, from the elementary particles to the universe.
According to the Director of the Estonian National Museum, Kertu Saks, the exhibition, which is inspired by Estonian source material, will bring home the opportunity to experience art that has millions of admirers around the world.
“Through art based on Estonian bio-data and a work created for the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Ikeda brings to the world what Estonia is great at: science and culture. We are proud that this will be happening in Tartu and at the Estonian National Museum. This kind of collaboration has already attracted a lot of interest, so we are expecting many visitors from home and abroad,” Saks said.
On the evening of 2 November, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, conducted by its Chief Conductor Tõnu Kaljuste, will perform the premiere of work inspired by the Estonian language. This is the first time that Ikeda, who has mainly worked with electronic music throughout his career, has created a composition for the human voice. The work will be performed only once in Tartu, the European Capital of Culture.
The artist’s solo exhibition can be visited at the Estonian National Museum from 2 November until 2 March 2025. Ryoji Ikeda’s solo exhibition and concert are part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme.