Carsten Nicolai
α (alpha) pulse
May 15–17, 2014
Art Basel in Hong Kong
www.artbasel.com
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, 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.
α (alpha) pulse is commissioned and organized by Art Basel. For more information on the project, please visit artbasel.com/hongkong/alphapulse.
α (alpha) pulse schedule
May 15–17, 8:30–9:20pm
Art Basel in Hong Kong
Art Basel’s second edition in Hong Kong takes place from Thursday, May 15, to Sunday, May 18 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.