The Sound of Ryoji Ikeda Knows No Borders
This sound artist creates immersive shows in which electronic music and images are designed to work hand in hand.
By bonus1up — Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Regarded as the founding father of contemporary art fused with techno and IDM (Intelligent Dance Music), Ryoji Ikeda began his career as a DJ in 1990. He gradually began to undertake various projects in sound art, a subtle blend of plastic arts and music, and became involved with Dumb Type, an interdisciplinary collective, taking the role of composer and collaborating in the creation of shows.
From composition to stage performances
In 1995, Ryoji Ikeda released his first album, 1000 Fragments. This album marked the start of his tours across Europe, the US, and Japan. Through immersive shows, highly visual stage performances, and minimalist concerts, the artist quickly rose to fame. During his shows, he would tend to remain stoic, black sunglasses perched on the end of his nose, standing in front of his computer—an attitude that became his hallmark. Since then, Ryoji Ikeda has continued to be a hot topic, particularly thanks to an exhibition held in London in 2021 that combined data, sound, and animated images.
More information on Ryoji Ikeda’s work can be found on his website.
TRENDING
-
Jinbocho, Tokyo’s Book District
This neighbourhood in Chiyoda-ku has become a popular centre for second-hand book stores, publishing houses and antique curiosities.
-
‘Yukio Mishima: The Death of a Man’
A few months prior to his ritual suicide, the author was depicted in macabre photographs taken by Kishin Shinoyama.
-
Roland Barthes and Japan
From his travels to Japan in the 1960s, the author drew 'Empire of Signs', a book in which he details the things which caught his attention.
-
Recipe for ‘Okayu’ from the Film ‘Princess Mononoke’
This rice soup seasoned with miso is served by a monk to Ashitaka, one of the heroes in Hayao Miyazaki's film.
-
Haruomi Hosono’s Music for 'Shoplifters', by Hirokazu Kore-eda
The director reflects on the ‘mature’ sound of Haruomi Hosono’s score and how it shaped his Palme d’Or-winning film.
