Trace - CODAworx

Trace

Submitted by DECOL Media Arts Studio

Client: Atatürk Kültür Merkezi AKM

Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Completion date: 2021

Artwork budget: $90,000

Project Team

Direction and Design

Nohlab

Interactive Visual and System Design / Creative Coding

Decol

Production

TEC Travel Event Company

Technical Production

Solid Technical Solutions

Music and Interactive Sound Design

Gökalp Kanatsız

Technical Support

Mirhan Kıvanç Özdemir

Video Documentation

Jonathan Mascaro

Video Edit

Hakan Sarı

Commissioner

Ministry of Tourism & Culture

Overview

DECOL and NOHLAB collaborated to create TRACE, an interactive experience featured in Nohlab’s Flow exhibition at the AKM cultural center in Turkey. Through body movements, visitors leave a trace to the future by guiding the sound and visuals representing what’s to come. Flow is an immersive exhibition presented in three parts, weaving AKM’s past, present, and future into a collective experience for visitors. This iconic cultural center remains a bridge to the future, connecting our memories of the past with our aspirations for what’s to come.

Goals

The Atatürk Cultural Center is a cultural institution that showcases art from the past to the future, shaping our cultural heritage. During the opening of AKM, three distinct installations were presented, each representing the past, present, and future. Trace, one of the installations, was crafted to emphasize the visitor's connection with the future. To achieve this, a circular border made of mirrors and LED lines was constructed to separate the visitor from the future. As the visitor approaches the sculpture structures, they behave like mirrors, creating an image representing the present. The sculptures are designed like living organisms that react to the visitor's movements and communicate with them.

Process

We enjoyed working on a real-time installation project for the AKM building in Turkey, commissioned by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism. For the opening exhibition, Nohlab designed a stunning sculpture that our team collaborated on to install a series of screens in a monolith formation. The screens varied in size and were placed behind one-way mirrors, creating an immersive experience for visitors. LIDAR sensors were used to detect their locations, and our interaction algorithm responded with generative audio-visual effects, making each visitor's experience unique. In addition, the reflective flooring enhanced the impact, resulting in an unforgettable experience.