INDUSTRY ICONS: ISE SPECIAL
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Quayola (pictured here) has spent time experimenting with programming industrial robots to carve sculptures
have a ‘mega-techno-optimist’ outlook. At the same time, though, I feel it’s part of our role to apply the brakes and reflect on what, ultimately, we want to use this technology for. It’s a fine line, and over the next few years there’s going to be increasingly prominent – and crucial – conversations about our role in how technology works and is used. From my perspective, it’s not about developing systems that are completely autonomous, rather it’s about systems that empower us to generate new things. So there’s a lot of thinking to be done to find the balance between man and machine. I would also add that, as an artist who has been doing this throughout their lifetime, and for whom technology is a significant aspect, I also tend to be slower to embrace things because I don’t want to be overwhelmed by the tech. Sometimes I do consciously apply the brakes within my processes. In addition to your two artistic works, you’re also giving a Creative Keynote at ISE 2025. To what extent was the show – and the wider world of pro AV – already on your radar? Are you looking forward to finding out more about the latest innovations in, for example, projection mapping? I haven’t previously attended ISE, although I have become aware of the
of the technology where the quality is so high that you can start to relate to and manipulate video like a sculptural form, which I find extremely interesting, and is something that is crucial with respect to my own work. Finally, what else is on the horizon for you in 2025? Throughout the last ten years or so, I’ve been exploring sculpture a lot, which includes the use of industrial robots that I programme to help carve sculptures. At the moment, I’m working on some projects that use lava stone – these are boulders that resulted from some old eruptions – and scan their geometries. Then, through modifying and robotically re-milling portions of these objects, you can achieve another way of observing these kinds of natural artefacts and phenomena that is unique. Sculpture is one of my main interests, which runs in parallel to my audio-visual works, so there are a number of projects coming up in that area. For more information on Quayola’s participation in ISE 2025, please visit iseurope.org/news/multimedia-artist- quayola-give-creative-keynote- performances-casa-batllo-fira For more on the artist’s past and current projects, go to quayola.com
It’s really unbelievable the evolution that has taken place, and the huge impact of this new tech” show and many other aspects of the audio-visual industry. The space in which I operate is that kind of hybrid, which is a bit closer to contemporary art, but at the same time employs a heavy use of technology. I also experiment a great deal with new technology, belonging to a variety of industries, so I’m certainly aware of what’s going on in pro AV. In terms of projection, LED displays and so on, it’s really unbelievable the evolution that has taken place, and the huge impact of this new technology. In my work, there’s the idea of digital becoming almost a physical experience through these projection and display systems, so their quality is a crucial component for optimising the intended impact of the experience. Now, we are reaching that stage in the development
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