Rafael Lozano-Hemmer Captures 7,000 Heartbeats Inside Swarovski Crystals

by

As a gamer with a background in science and art, I was captivated by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer‘s “Pulse Voronoi” installation at Swarovski Kristallwalten. His unique approach to connecting people through heartbeats and biometric readings is both intriguing and thought-provoking.

Discovering that he was going to be a father of twins sparked Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s inner scientist. Instead of opting for identical outfits, he decided to buy two ultrasound monitors, so he could listen to the heartbeats of both babies at the same time.

Standing proudly before my “Pulse Voronoi” masterpiece, freshly revealed at Swarovski Kristallwalten in Austria, I marvel at the stark contrast. They weren’t just different; they were like two entirely separate worlds. What captivated me was their unique rhythm and minimalist melodies, which resonated deeply within me. An inspired thought bloomed: ‘Imagine if we could collect everyone’s heartbeats and orchestrate a grand, unified choir.’

Ever since then, Lozano-Hemmer has been deeply committed to investigating this pathway of connection. At times, it manifests as actual heartbeats, while at others it is voices, yet it essentially embodies the concept of connectivity in its entirety.

Lozano-Hemmer’s collaboration with Swarovski started in 2022 when his captivating “Pulse Topology” installation was showcased at Art Basel. This extraordinary piece caught the attention of Carla Rumler, the curator of the Chambers of Wonder at Kristallwalten for Swarovski. Impressed by his work, she invited him to develop two new pieces for the space, positioning him among artists like James Turrell, Yayoi Kusama, and Lee Bul.

In a fortunate turn of events, he found himself presented with the opportunity to collaborate with crystal specialists. Interestingly enough, Lozano-Hemmer, who had once trained as a chemist in defiance of his parents who ran nightclubs, had delved into crystallography earlier in his life. This project offered him an exceptional chance to merge these distinct aspects of his past and present. “I am deeply drawn to shapes and forms that resonate with scientific principles,” he explained. “Beauty, per se, doesn’t particularly captivate me. As an artist, I am more fascinated by phenomena.

Every time I reflect, I believe my craft is never fully realized. Without an audience, there’s no sound to resonate. Without genuine emotion, it remains shrouded in the shadows.

As a gamer immersed in the digital world, I can’t help but be captivated by the visual appeal of Lozano-Hemmer’s Pulse Voronoi. The sight of 7,000 crystals suspended in a dark room, artfully illuminated, is undeniably mesmerizing. But what truly enchants me is delving into the substance of this work and understanding its intricate technical aspects that seamlessly bring it to life.

He describes how the project employs the Voronoi algorithm to divide a flawless cube into approximately 7,000 distinct fragments. The division is intriguing since it results in 7,000 unique crystals, each one being different, yet if assembled back together, they would reconstruct the original cube.

In this setting, each item was crafted using Swarovski crystals, followed by the addition of minuscule filaments, which were then hung from the ceiling. Scattered around the room are cane-like gadgets that rise from the floor. These devices contain sensors, inviting visitors to place their hands beneath them so that their heartbeats can be captured and analyzed. After detection, the heartbeat is audibly broadcasted, providing a unique opportunity for individuals to grasp an understanding of their body’s innermost functions.

Afterward, crystals surrounding it dim, and shortly one crystal rekindles. This crystal holds the heartbeat of the visitor, and it stays there until 7,000 more visitors have come and left their own. He explains, “We refer to this as a Memento Mori.

He expresses his feelings about the surrounding biometric readings as follows: They’re romantic yet melancholic, but there’s also a sense of positivity. It’s confusing, and he’s still trying to decipher the essence of this artwork. Having shown his heartbeat within the installation, he adds that people seem weary of politics that don’t resonate with them. Instead, they are yearning for chances to connect on shared experiences rather than continuously being separated.

I often remark that my work feels unfinished because without the presence of others, it lacks sound. Without genuine emotion, it becomes shrouded in shadows and chaos.

Pulse Voronoi is on show at Swarovski Kristallwelten now. Find out more here.

Read More

2024-12-03 21:26