Ryuichi Sakamoto

LIFE−fluid, invisible, inaudible... (2007)

Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani

「坂本龍一|音を視る 時を聴く」東京都現代美術館、2024
坂本龍一+高谷史郎《LIFE–fluid, invisible, inaudible...》2007©2024 Kab Inc. 撮影:浅野豪 

“Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time" at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 2024 Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani, LIFE–fluid, invisible, inaudible…, 2007 ©2024 Kab Inc. Photo: Takechi Asano
LIFE–fluid, invisible, inaudible… 2007/2023, Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani
“Ryuichi Sakamoto | SOUND AND TIME,” M WOODS (People’s Park), Chengdu, 2023
Image courtesy of M WOODS
撮影:丸尾隆一
写真提供:山口情報芸術センター[YCAM]

Photo by Ryuichi Maruo
Courtesy of Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media [YCAM]
坂本龍一+高谷史郎 | LIFE–fluid, invisible, inaudible...

NTT インターコミュニケーション・センター [ICC]
撮影:福永一夫 Courtesy of ICC

Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani | LIFE–fluid, invisible, inaudible...

NTT InterCommunication Center [ICC]
Photo: Kazuo Fukunaga Courtesy of ICC
This sound and video installation revisits the aural and visual elements from LIFE, an opera by Sakamoto, first performed in 1999.

Nine acrylic aquariums hang in a darkened room to form a 3 x 3 grid. Each carries a small amount of water and has speakers affixed on opposite ends. Fog is artificially created inside each aquarium using ultrasonic waves, creating patterns in the water in varying degrees of transparency. Images are projected into the tanks from projectors that are attached overhead.

The sounds and images in LIFE−fluid, invisible, inaudible... (including new material made specifically for the installation) are divided into groups of 20 or 30 pieces and stored on a hard drive. A randomized control program uses the audio and visual files in these repositories to create an ever-changing installation.
Technical Requirements:
Minimum Space Dimensions
W 15m x D 15m x H 6.5m
- water
- water tanks
- 18 x speakers
- 3 x audio interface
- 4 x computers (macbook pro)
- 9 x projector and lenses
- fog system
*require W 2m x H 2.5m loading door