FIAF and Japan Society Co-Present Ryoji Ikeda’s 'datamatics [ver. 2.0]', 9/10-11

FIAF and Japan Society Co-present the NY Premiere of Ryoji Ikeda's Hyper Visual Live Sound Experience, datamatics [ver. 2.0], on Friday, September 10th and Saturday, September 11th at 8PM. It will be at the French Institute Alliance Française's Florence Gould Hall which is located at 55 East 59th Street (between Park and Madison Avenues). He will also present transcendental (2010). Tickets are $18 for the public and $12 for Japan Society and FIAF members. Call Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100 for tickets. For more information, visit www.crossingtheline.org or www.japansociety.org.

In datamatics [ver. 2.0] 2006, Ikeda translates data through computer generation into a projection of striking minimalist black and white graphic renderings interspersed with intense color as they progress through multiple dimensions. The visuals are synchronized with a dynamic electronic sonic composition, and when combined with technical dynamics of the work, such as its hyper speed frame rates and sensory overload, the immersive work challenges the thresholds of our perceptions of the world and the essential characteristics of sound itself.

the transcendental (2010), the U.S. Premiere of Ryoji Ikeda's solo site-specific installation designed for the FIAF Gallery, combines recent works from his series exploring mathematical definitions of infinity. The content was generated by discussions between Ikeda and the Harvard number theorist Benedict Gross surrounding the philosophically challenging concept, V­≠L, when the artist was preparing for a previous exhibition at Le Laboratoire in Paris 2008. The audiovisual installation uses computer generated imagery and sound, and comprises of three works: the transcendental [n? 3] (2010), the transcendental (e) [no. 2-a] (2009), and the transcendental (e) [no. 2-b] (2009).

Ryoji Ikeda is one of Japan's leading electronic composers. Since 1995 he has been intensely active in sound art through concerts, installations and recordings: the albums +/- (1996), 0 degrees (1998) and Matrix (2000) have been hailed by critics as some of the most radical and innovative examples of contemporary electronic music. Ryoji Ikeda received the Golden Nica prize at Prix Ars Electronica 2001 in the Digital Music category. His installations have been seen worldwide in museums and biennials including The Hayward Gallery and The Millennium Dome, London, UK; MOT Tokyo, JP; Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media, JP; Voormalig Gerechtsgebouw, Utrecht, NL; Museum of Contemporary Art Tapei, TW; and more. Please visit www.ryojiikeda.com.

Crossing the Line is FIAF's fall festival, conceived as a platform to present vibrant new works by a diverse range of trans-disciplinary artists transforming and furthering cultural practices on both sides of the Atlantic. Initiated, conceived, and produced by FIAF in partnership with leading New York cultural institutions, the fourth annual edition will, for eighteen intensive days, continue to deliver the highest caliber of original work, with a specific focus on the artist's role as a critically important thinker and catalyst for social change.

The fourth edition of Crossing the Line is co-curated by Lili Chopra, Artistic Director at FIAF and Simon Dove, Director, Herberger Institute School of Dance at Arizona State University, and runs from September 10 - 27, 2010. A number of the programs utilize FIAF's spaces, including Florence Gould Hall, the FIAF Gallery, Tinker Auditorium, and Le Skyroom. Established partners in New York City host events, including Anthology Film Archives, Columbia University, Dance Theater Workshop, Dancing in the Streets, Danspace Project, The Invisible Dog Center, ISSUE Project Room, Japan Society, The Joyce Theater, Movement Research, and Performance Space 122. Please visit www.crossingtheline.org.

FIAF's mission is to create and offer New Yorkers innovative and unique programs in education and the arts that explore the evolving diversity and richness of French Cultures. FIAF seeks to generate new ideas and promote cross cultural dialogue through partnerships and new platforms of expression. Please visit www.fiaf.org.

Founded in 1907, Japan Society has evolved into a world-class, multidisciplinary hub for global leaders, artists, scholars, educators, and English and Japanese-speaking audiences. At the Society, more than 100 events each year feature sophisticated, topically relevant presentations of Japanese art and culture and open, critical dialogue on issues of vital importance to the U.S., Japan and East Asia. An American nonprofit, nonpolitical organization, the Society cultivates a constructive, resonant and dynamic relationship between the people of the U.S. and Japan. Please visit www.japansociety.org.