Novi_sad & Ryoichi Kurokawa - Sirens (2016)

Berlin based Japanese artist Ryoichi Kurokawa and Athens based artist Thanasis Kaproulias (working under the moniker Novi_sad) collaborate to create immersive audiovisual works that combine digitally generated video
by Kurokawa and sound explorations by Novi_sad.


Ryoichi Kurokawa and Novi_sad collaborate to create Sirens, an impressive body of work comprising five audiovisual pieces which explore the aesthetics of data. Sirens is a collection of digitally rendered visual formations and sound compositions whose intensity fluctuates as in relation to the unfoldingof the economic downturn. Tied to the fate of the global markets, the more the economy fails (as represented by data and indexes); the more developed and complex the coupled sounds and visual sequences become. Any disintegration of financial fortunes leads directly to the emergence of a greater creative energy in an inverse 'tug-of-war'.
Sirens elucidates the relationship between generative visualisation and cinematic practices, as this computer generated video work transforms our understanding of the relationship between moving image, data and the cinematic. By immersing the spectator in an audiovisual scape and narrative, the work heightens the performativity of processes, be they 'technological'or 'natural'. The title of the work is inspired by the Greek mythological creatures that seduce sailors ashore into danger, as a metaphor formarket fervour leading to economic collapse.

The source audio belongs to Richard Chartier, CM von Hausswolff, Jacob Kirkegaard, Helge Sten (Deathprod, Supersilent) and Beckie Foon (A Silver Mt. Zion, Set Fire to Flames).
The book includes texts from Thanasis Kaproulias and Ryoichi Kurokawa, Lucas Bambozzi, CM von Hausswolff, Guy Marc Hinant and David Quiles Guillo.

Both artists have worked extensively in video, sound, installation and live performance and have presented their works internationally in numerous festivals and art institutions. Kurokawa has presented work at the Tate Modern, London; the 54th Venice Biennale, Arsenale Novissimo, Venice; Transmediale, Berlin; MUTEK, Montreal; eARTS, Shanghai; and at Sonar, Barcelona. In 2010, he was awarded the Golden Nica, Prix Ars Electronica, in Digital Music & Sound Art. He has also released a number of CDs and DVDs and has collaborated with musicians including HUMAN AUDIO SPONGE (former members of Yellow Magic Orchestra). Novi_sad has presented at the Venice Biennale Film Festival, Venice; Mutek Festival, Montreal and Mexico City; Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, Amsterdam; Le Fresnoy - Studio National D'Arts Contemporains, Lille; Roy O. Disney Concert Hall, CalArts, Los Angeles; Itaú Cultural, São Paulo; Megaron/The Athens Concert Hall, Athens; VPRO National Radio, Amsterdam; Cabaret Voltaire, Zurich; National Academy of Music, Aarhus; Einstein Kulturzentrum, Munich; and MAM/Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro. He has collaborated with notable artists and filmmakers including Lars von Trier, Isaac Niemand, Yorgos Zois and Karl Lemieux.