Palindromes and Codes
2015
kinetic light-art installation, metal, painted plexiglas with directed lighting, 320/70 cm
Palindromes and Codes is a light-art kinetic installation that uses transdisciplinary methodology to create an algorithm for the visual translation of Bach's Crab Canon. It was created in collaboration with a scientist - physicist Martin Jordanov.
The methodology consists of the implementation information theory, geometry and physics in visual art.
The basis lies on the main problem in information theory- the successful movement of messages in between different places. In this case the Crab Canon is considered as ‘the message’ and it needs to be moved from the musical to the visual media.
The algorithm also consists of applying analogy - finding a suitable image that resembles the qualities of a sound. For example, the rhombus is chosen as a main form in the composition because of its unique characteristics- its fractal (“endless”) nature - when it crosses “itself” it creates, again, “itself” on micro and macro level.
The Crab Canon is a palindrome - whether played from the beginning or backwards - the melody sounds the same way. That's why the column movements are similar - it rotates from below - upwards and back. Each note of the canon is represented by a color, which responds in frequency the sound of the note. How can we transfer information in a fundamentally different medium, without harming it? How can we jump from one art into another?
Photos: Zacharie Popov
