Digital Revolution is 0ne of the most comprehensive presentation of digital creativity ever to be staged in the UK
This interactive exhibition brings together for the first time a range of artists, filmmakers, architects, designers, musicians and game developers, all pushing the boundaries of their fields using digital media. It also looks at the dynamic developments in the areas of creative coding and DIY culture and the exciting creative possibilities offered by augmented reality, artificial intelligence, wearable technologies and 3-D printing.
New commissions including Google’s DevArt, an installation by global music artist and entrepreneur will.i.am and artist Yuri Suzuki and works by artists Umbrellium, Universal Everything, Seeper and Susan Kare (Mac Paint designer). Experience Oscar-winning visual effects behind Christopher Nolan’s Inception and Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity.
Visiting London Guide Review
The Barbican’s Digital Revolution takes us on a journey of discovery through the Digital Age, it’s a journey whose origins lay in the 1970s and 1980s. It was at this time that the building blocks of the revolution was set in place and the section Digital Archaeology provides a glimpse into the world of Pac Man, Pong and Space Invaders. There are a considerable number of old machines and rare artwork from the period.
Looking at the machines, whilst listening to the soundtrack of MTV from the screens above brings back memories of how exciting even the most basic games were at the time. It also unleashed a revolution in digital creativity when many people were first attracted to the world of computer programming.
This creativity found its market with the boom in computer games, in the 80s and 90s successful games sold in their millions all around the world. Many of these games were developed by small independent companies often specialising in particular formats.
One of the best selling games was Star Wars and the symbiotic relationship between Computer Games and Films has it origins at this time.
In the section Creative Spaces , there is an illustration of how far films have developed their digital visual effects. Using clips from the blockbusters Inception and Gravity we are shown State of the Art effects by Oscar award winners Tim Webber and Paul Franklin.
Sound and Vision showcases the first artwork of will.i.am which is a collaboration with artist Yuri Suzuki, it features a number of works by other artists including Brian Eno and Radiohead.
The section State of Play is dominated by Chris Milk’s The Treachery of Sanctuary, this stunning interactive shadow play work creates a bizarre world of creatures which transform into different shapes and sizes.
DevArt celebrates art made with code, the Code factory, Wishing wall, Play the World and Les metamorphoses de Mr. Kalia offers interactive art which allows people to become the artist and encourages creativity and using your imagination.
Finally we are asked to look at Our Digital Futures and look at some of the ways that art and technology are being used today, CuteCircuit’s iMinskirt offers ideas about fashion being more interactive with its surroundings.
This exhibition although covering a relatively short period in time offers a unique insight into a revolution that changed the world in countless ways. Anyone born after the 1970s would find it difficult to contemplate a non digital world but for those who have watched its development many would find much to remind them of the enormous steps forward.
From computer games to interactive art works, the exhibition is very successful in the way it conveys the excitement and fun associated with the Digital Revolution. It is also successful in illustrating how many artists have embraced the revolution to produce works that will free the individual to explore different perspectives.
One constant in the Digital Revolution has been the speed of change, from its origins there as been a relentless search for the “Next Big Thing”, an exhibition like this help us to take stock of how far the Revolution has gone and the potential for further development.
If you are interested in the development of the digital world or are intrigued by technological advances, this is an exhibition not to be missed. However it will also appeal to people who like to immerse themselves in the cutting edge of digital art.
Visiting London Guide Rating – Highly Recommended
Opening times
11am –8pm daily
Thu:11am –10pm
Tickets
Standard £12.50
Concessions £10.50
Young person (12-17) £8.50
Students £8.50
Children (5-12) £5
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
Under 5s Free
For more information about the exhibition visit the Barbican Website here
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