|Issue 13.12 - December 2005
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Yoichiro Kawaguchi thinks art should have a mind of its own. His Tentacle Tower (above) began with a computer graphics algorithm that allowed tiny metallic circles to self-propagate into ever-expanding spirals. When the digital image evolved into a design he liked, the Tokyo University professor captured and enlarged it onscreen. Kawaguchi then printed a copy, covered it with 3-D lenticular film made of corrugated plastic, and attached it to one of four wood panels that make up the billboard-sized piece. Though reminiscent of a traditional Japanese folding screen, Tentacle Tower offers viewers 15 perspectives. Stare at it straight on and the spirals look like undulating fish gills. Glance at it from one side and they reach out like octopus legs. Step to the other side and you get an entirely different visual. The piece, which debuted at this year's Siggraph conference, is on display through December at the contemporary art center in Enghien-les-Bains, France. Kawaguchi imagines he'll one day write code that removes him from the whole process: "Art will eventually obtain intelligence that may exceed that of humans."
- Lisa Katayama