Refik Anadol On The Experience Of The Modern World, Machine Learning And Wind Of Dubai – HarpersBazaarArabia

A leading figure in the field of machine intelligence,Refik Anadolsimmersive environments are the result of groundbreaking research, and the idea of revealing the invisible elements of nature and architecture to the naked eye. His award-winning, eponymous studio has given life to projects in over 50 cities that have been experienced by millions. How have our lives changed since the introduction of artificial intelligence? How has our relationship with space evolved? How can we, as human beings, become smarter through these technologies? These questions are at the heart of Refiks sensorial installations, which dissolve the barriers that restrict the imagination. In October 2021, the Turkish-American new media artist showcased a Middle Eastern reboot of Quantum Memories at Abu Dhabis Semi Permanent festival, a site-specific public art installation that creates a hybrid relationship between physical and subjective realities.

Your abstract installations explore the relationship between architecture and media art. How does this relate to your experience of the modern world?

Since I was about eight years old, my mother would say that I was looking at windows, doors, the floor and the ceiling of my living room, and criticising why its always the same. Why was everything so similar? My idea of embedding media art into architecture using data, to give life meaning, came when I was a child.

I think in the last ten years, my journey with data and architecture grew more and more. I simply use my work as a canvas to depict the imagination. So its pretty much my real-life scenario. Any city in the world has the means of becoming a canvas for artists. Thats my vision in general. I design immersive environments to create experiences, especially with artificial intelligence and data.

What can you reveal about your installation at Semi Permanent Middle East 2021, showcased in October?

My installation at Semi Permanent was calledQuantum Memories. This was a very inspiring pandemic project as they say. In 2019, I got the commission from the National Gallery of Victoria for their 2020 Triennial. During the same year, I had a call with the Google Quantum AI team, who are behind one of the most inspiring quantum researches ever done in history, called Quantum Advantage Research.

They were able to make a quantum computer to create almost impossible computational tests that could be done in a couple of minutes versus how long it would take a traditional computer which could be hours or days! It was a major breakthrough and that was one of the most inspiring things for me in technology.

Theres also a very inspiring study done by Hugh Everett III. He was a professor and a quantum physicist in the very early 60s and 70s. Through his work, I learned this idea that everything that happens in the world shows us alternative dimensions.

You specialise in machine intelligence. How would you define this?

I think, at the moment, it is an extension of the human mind, instead of a part of the human mind, meaning that machines do not forget, but they also do not have a conscious mind yet. So, machines do not decide to decide, basically. In my practice I found that machine intelligence allowed me to use a brush that can paint, a brush that can remember, a brush that can hallucinate, and eventually, a brush that can dream.

AI can be a powerful tool. A tool that can enhance our memory, learning, dreaming, imagining, and many other aspects of the human cognitive capacity. I do believe that when we have a purpose, by using machine intelligence we are given a profound chance of creating much more impactful and meaningful research and eventually, a life-changing moment may happen. I think other fields will change because of this, too. This has already happened in art, science and many other disciplines.

What interests you about exploring space and data?

I have actually been using data in my work since 2009. I was experimenting with early sensory data. Then, ten years ago, I made my very first data sculpture by using acoustic data. Over the years I explored a lot of information, but I had to be ethical and made it a point to never use personal data.

Clearly, I am focusing on collective memories or collective data from open sources, cultural archives, architectural domains, or even nature and time. For the last two years, I have been exploring nature. I think we just need to be more careful about nature in general.

Your site-specific, dreamlike environments invite viewers to envision new realities and question traditional interior and architectural possibilities. Take us back to how all of this started.

This started from my imagination as a child. Ive always believed that life can be the most divine, magical experience, and using data and AI has allowed me to create these experiences. I could never just forget or ignore the beauty of life and its connection with real environments. I am trying to create immersive environments with several scenarios.

Ive found that people completely enjoy when they are detached from reality, even if just for a moment. They completely enjoy their perception when its enhanced by AI the sounds, visual data, and even scent. Recently, I was able to use real-time scent augmentation in one of our projects, which was showcased in Milan. Im constantly exploring this idea as much as I can to bring fresh perspectives and push beyond the physical quality of life.

How do you believe our experience of space is changing after the introduction of smartphones and other technologies?The first thing we see in the morning is most likely a smartphone, and its also the last thing we see at night. Our life is in between these two moments. So what we see, eat, hear, where we go, what we buy, what we read and watch, is most likely defined by various algorithms.

We are living in a world in which Im feeling a sense of displacement, a feeling that we are kind of detaching from reality and physical quality of life. We are living in a virtual space. I believe this virtual space is a metaverse, a new dimension for the mind. I do believe that our DNA and definition of genius is constantly changing. Our brains are always changing and adapting to the new reality.

This is really interesting to me how much change is happening, and how we can understand this change. Can we learn something from this? Are we getting better in certain conditions? Or are we getting worse in certain conditions? Should we be much more aware of it?

Im certain that a consciousness change is happening through the powerful shift of hardware and software that engages with humanity.

What challenges do you think we encounter as humans living in the age of AI?There are two problems: free will and priority. Now, its pretty clear that machines are predicting, every day. So are we making the best decisions? Or could we do better? These are the questions I ask a lot. Also from another perspective, what do we do with these machines that are learning algorithms? Do we just imagine scenarios? Can we use them creatively? Can we ask the questions we want? Can we use the same tools to enhance our cognitive functions? I really think important questions like these will ultimately change the evolution of humanity.

What was the intention behind the multimedia work Wind of Dubai?Wind of Dubaiwas an exciting project displayed in the lobby of Hotel Indigo in Downtown Dubai. It began when I started making a data painting around 2009. I believe that every city has very unique patterns, temperatures, air pressure and air quality. Wind is one of the most inspiring things for me its basically the sculpture of nature. The whole idea was to try and capture that poetry in motion. The aim for this artwork was to create a calm and relaxing experience leading to an emotional attachment.

Walk us through your process of translating technology into spatial design.In my practice, Im not just creating a bunch of shiny pixels. Im doing my very best to bring depth to surface by understanding exactly why technology may be purposeful and impactful for my imagination. Not because its the hype, or because its new, or because it is popular.

In my team of three architects, we are not only designing spaces but also the technology. We are all cohesively imagining a sensual and experiential layer at the same time. So instead of just clicking on an image of a building, we are more likely truly working with the data, algorithms and the architecture at the same time, to make it different and fresh.

So whats next for you?

I was very excited to come to Abu Dhabi, it was actually my first time in the region and Im very excited to share my work with everyone. Im also excited to share our upcoming NFT projects, which youll hear very soon about.

Refikanadolstudio.com

Lead image caption credits: Refik Anadol Studio. Machine Hallucinations Space:Metaverse NFT Collection(render). 2021

From Harpers Bazaar Saudi Winter 2021 issue

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Refik Anadol On The Experience Of The Modern World, Machine Learning And Wind Of Dubai - HarpersBazaarArabia