A conversation with teamLab founder Toshiyuki Inoko
A symbiotic group of blooming animals, an infinite space of light, and an all-encompassing blaze of fire. TeamLab Borderless JeddahThe first permanent exhibition by a Japanese art group museum At first glance, Middle Eastern cities appear to be quietly blending into their historic urban environments, but within them lies a fleeting array of digital innovation. Facility Spread across an astounding 10,000 square metres of space, it transforms its walls, floors and its momentary occupants into a constantly evolving, kaleidoscopic canvas.
As the name suggests, it is a concept driven by infinite continuity. “This is a museum without borders… a museum without maps.” TeamLab founder Toshiyuki Inoko said at the inauguration ceremony: Rendered through complex cutting-edge projection mapping and human-interactive technology, Borderless Jeddah’s universe merges the physical and virtual worlds and melts the human body into its surroundings. The journey unfolds in a labyrinthine continuum of interconnected spaces that each piece traverses fluidly in an unpredictable, cyclical exhibition. From meditative ethereal shimmers to blooming and withering butterflies and playful animal characters, the works are deeply rooted in nature yet conceived in surreal and fantastical terms.
the hypnotic work “forest of resonating lamps” is bathed in orange light from hundreds of suspended venetian glass lights. designboom spoke with inoko to find out more about his ambition to bridge art, technology and nature to create a physical digital art experience that will bring people together.‘We believe that humans perceive the world through their bodies. he told designboom.
Image courtesy of teamLab
Borderless Jeddah combines art, technology, nature and science
Borderless World, Athletics Forest, Future Park, Lamp Forest, EN TEA HOUSE, etc. TeamLab Jeddah has no borders; everything is interconnected, always in motion, interacting with each guest in new ways, never the same.. The journey unfolds in a labyrinthine continuum of interconnected spaces, each piece traversed fluidly in an unpredictable, cyclical exhibition. From meditative wisps of air to flourishing and dying swarms of butterflies to playful animal characters, the works are deeply rooted in nature yet conceived in surreal and fantastical terms. Here, visitors are invited to become part of the exhibition, to carry and catalyze the projections that envelop the museum’s walls. Their presence and movements subtly shape the works’ constant transformation through touch, movement, and even a custom app.
In conversation with Inoko Toshiyuki, we discussed how this notion of “borderless” extends beyond art curation and what role it plays in erasing the distance between strangers, art, and audiences. “First of all, digital technology gives us the opportunity to create non-static, dynamic expressions.” He shares. This concept invites us to embrace the presence of others to transform the world of art, to shape our experiences together and discover infinite expression.
Image courtesy of teamLab
Image © designboom
Image © designboom
