CEASELESS FLOWER CIRCLE
Continuous Life and Death at The Now of Eternity

AN ETERNAL INTERACTION
‘Continuous Life and Death at the Now of Eternity’ by teamLab, created in two installations, 2017 and 2019 is a digital art collection interwoven with science and creativity like the intricate petals and flowers detailing a 9-piece and 12-piece monitor; the plant’s lifecycle is visualized and condensed – what is actually months of work – into a fleeting few minutes of awe and fascination. The creative process includes a real-time computer rendering system that negates the idea of the artwork being set on a loop like most other animations. Each time-frame of the visual construction is a unique piece that is constantly moving, changing and evolving designed so as to replicate the unbiased nature of life – every frame of this work of art, never repeated.
“A SPRIGHTLY DANCE”
Continuous Life and Death at the Now of Eternity intermingles with digital technology in illustrating the passing of time. A replica of budding and blossoming of flowers till their withering ends, these works of art reminded us of the poem "I wandered lonely as a cloud" by the prolific poet of the Victorian era, William Wordsworth. It is true that he speaks how enchantment he was by the sight of daffodils, but poetic wonderment of nature is exquisitely captured in both written and visual art.
"The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee" (William Wordsworth, 1807)
Mesmerizing, breathtaking, and colourful visuals marvels the viewer. They make one wonder the laborious and intricate process as well. teamLab synchronizes the work of art with the sunrise and sunset timings of its location. Made by computer, using complex graphic algorithms. Flowers are eternally repeating the process of life and death yet they are unique– the image on view never repeats itself whilst continuing into eternity.
THE MAINFRAME MASTERMINDS
teamLab (f. 2001) is an art collective, interdisciplinary group of ultra-technologists whose collaborative practice seeks to navigate the confluence of art, science, technology, design and the natural world. Various specialists such as artists, programmers, engineers, CG animators, mathematicians and architects form teamLab. They aim to explore a new relationship between humans and nature, and between oneself and the world through art. Digital technology has allowed art to liberate itself from the physical and transcend boundaries. teamLab sees no boundary between humans and nature, and between oneself and the world; one is in the other and the other in one. Everything exists in a long, fragile yet miraculous, borderless continuity of life. teamLab’s works are in the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney; Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide; Asian Art Museum, San Francisco; Asia Society Museum, New York; Borusan Contemporary Art Collection, Istanbul; National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; and Amos Rex of Helsinki, Finland.
AN INTERDISCIPLINARY SPACE
The newly opened TANK Shanghai museum is home to a unique digital experience called teamLab: Universe of Water Particles in the Tank. The museum’s inaugural exhibition sees a massive former oil tank being transformed into an interactive, ever-changing installation that explores the relationship between people, art and technology. Running until 24 August at Tank No. 5, the exhibition includes a number of different artworks, including Universe of Water Particles in the Tank, Transcending Boundaries, which sees an awe-inspiring waterfall made up of light falling inside the tank. TANK Shanghai is a non-profit founded by art collector Qiao Zhibing. The 60,000-square-metre site has room for exhibition spaces, plazas, gardens, bookstores and restaurants.
Photo courtesy: teamLab
ARTRA is Sri Lanka’s Art Magazine exploring curated content on Sri Lanka’s visual art, performance art, applied art and written art. Launched in 2012, ARTRA Magazine is a compact monthly art read providing a comprehensive understanding on Sri Lankan artists, art events, monthly art calendars and the Sri Lankan design landscape. In sum, all you need to know about art in Sri Lanka.