Boundaries (2024)

2024. Single channel video with stereo audio
Duration: 8:15
Technique: Custom software, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Latent Diffusion Models, Fluid Simulation
Editions: 5+1AP
Collections: Vanhaerents Collection

There are three options for presenting the work:
1. 4x9m LED Panels, as presented at the Venice Biennale in 2024.
2. 1:2 aspect ratio LED panels, variable dimensions: 1x2m, 1.5x3m, 2x4m, 2.5x5m, 3x6m
3. 9:16 Screen, variable dimensions: 75″-85″ Screen in portrait

Excerpt (Duration 2:25)

Installation visualisation at Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione, Fondamenta Zattere Ai Gesuati, 30123 Venice, as part of Venice Biennale 2024.

Boundaries is a monumental, contemplative artwork that explores the illusory nature of separation — between self and other, body and environment, matter and mind. The work reflects on the deep interconnectedness of everything in the cosmos, from the microbial networks within our bodies to our atoms forged in dying ancient stars. Boundaries are human-invented fictions. We are not apart from the universe, we are not even in the universe. We are part of the universe. The universe is in us. Just as ‘waves’ are something that the ocean does, ‘we’ are something that the universe does. The piece is ultimately a celebration of life, of being alive, of being aware of being alive, and being aware of being aware. How is it that sub-atomic waves dancing in cosmic quantum fields can feel? Can think? Can be aware of itself feeling and thinking?Created using custom code, artificial intelligence, computer vision, digital painting, and dance, the work blends computational media with embodied expression, aiming to induce a contemplative, intimate experience, encouraging us to reflect on these themes.

Boundaries was commissioned as part of the 2024 Venice Art Biennale for the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione Church in Venice. It was exhibited as a 30 ft tall, 13 ft wide LED screen installation, exhibited throughout the biennale from April to November 2024, and visited by over 90,000 visitors.

The work was commissioned by, and later acquired by, the Vanhaerents Art Collection, a major collection focusing on contemporary art. The collection includes artists such as Ai Weiwei, Andrea Fraser, Andy Warhol, Antony Gormley, Barbara Kruger, Bill Viola, Doug Aitken, Gilbert and George, James Lee Byars, Jenny Holzer, Mariko Mori, Paul McCarthy, Steve McQueen, Takashi Murakami, Yinka Shonibare, and more.

The work was also exhibited at the historic old train station in Seoul, South Korea in November 2024, as the showpiece for the UnfoldX New Media Art festival, and will be shown at the File Festival in Sao Paulo and Rio, Brazil July-September 2025.

I stand before you today, a collection of trillions of cells. A trillion autonomous, intelligent little machines — more than half of which are not even genetically human, but other microorganisms.

Trillions of incredibly complex, intelligent little machines work together, to keep me alive, so that I can keep them alive.

And somehow, through their interactions, I emerge. Me. One me. At least to me, it feels like I am a single unitary entity. A single unitary entity with clear boundaries, that I call my skin. But intellectually, I know that I am in fact a network, a network of cells and organisms.

But I am more than that. I am not just the network of the cells within my body. I am also the network of atoms that I exchange with my environment, with other living and non-living things. The atoms that I eat and drink; the atoms that I inhale and exhale. The atoms, that I borrow from my environment, that constitute my body. The atoms, forged in the dying hearts of stars exploding into supernova, billions of years ago, billions of light years away, spewed across galaxies to come together — for a very brief moment in time — to momentarily become me, and you.

But I am still more than that. I am also sub-atomic vibrations. I am localized oscillations in infinite cosmic quantum fields permeating all of space-time. Yet, somehow, I am conscious, I feel and I experience my existence, and I am aware of my experience of my existence. How is it that localized waves in infinite cosmic fields are somehow aware of itself as a ‘thing’, a ‘thing’ that can ‘think’, and experience pain, joy, sorrow, excitement, pleasure and so much more?

And I am still more than that. I am also my thoughts, my beliefs, my values. I am also the network of every book I’ve read, every film I’ve seen, every song I’ve listened to, every conversation I’ve had, every thought I’ve thought, every interaction I’ve had with any person or being, human or non-human, living or not.

And in turn, every being that I’ve ever interacted with, is also a network of every being they’ve ever interacted with.

All intelligence is distributed.

I am not apart from the universe, I am not even in the universe. I am part of the universe. The universe is in me. Just as ‘waves’ are something that the ocean does, I am something that the universe does.

We are all connected, to the universe, physically, through our atoms; to the planet, biologically; and to each other, spiritually, mentally, emotionally; through our words, thoughts and experiences.

We know intellectually that we are all connected, that we are all one. But how can we feel this, how can we embody this knowledge?

A collaboration with Katie Peyton Hofstadter, with music composed by Rutger Zuydervelt.
Commissioned by the Vanhaerents Art Collection for the Venice Biennale 2024, curated by Walter Vanhaerents with support from Dominique Moulon.

Currently on show at:
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione
Fondamenta Zattere Ai Gesuati, 30123 Venice, Italy
Vaporetto stop: Zattere
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gg42tx3eLcjqDcrr5

20 Apr. – 24 Nov. 2024
Open: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed on Tuesdays

More information, images and video coming soon.