The Masters of Digital Art Installations

TeamLab

TeamLab is an art collective which creates various kind of large art installations and exhibitions. The name alone may not ring any bells, but a lot of people have seen their works on social media. And many people I know have seen them even live.

The whole concept was originally found by Tokyo-based engineer Toshiyuki Inoko. He formed the group after graduating with his student comrades. They started in 2001 which was the time around the first stages of digitalisation. The earliest members of the art collective wanted to create a laboratory for an expert group which would be used for all kind of experimental creativity. Hence the name teamLab.

Toshiyuki Inoko

From the beginning, the team created various art installations and strongly believed in the power of digital technology and creativity. At first they had no opportunity to present their works anywhere or support the team financially. Over time they still gained a passionate follower among the youth. However, the Japanese art world ignored them for a long time.

In 2011, well-known Japanese artist Takashi Murakami invited teamLab to an exhibition in his gallery. This was a significant turning point for them. Soon, they already had an exhibition in Singapore, and in 2014, the New York PACE Gallery began helping them promote their artwork. These opportunities quickly grew the team. Finally in 2015, they were allowed to host their own exhibition in Japan.

A picture from one of their first real exhibitions.

Nowadays the art collective consists more than 500 workers: artists, programmers, animators, mathematicians, graphic designers, writers, architects... creators from lot of different fields. The team is very popular and have worked internationally a lot during the years. In Finland, TeamLab organized an exhibition at the opening of the Amos Rex Museum in Helsinki in 2018. At the same year, they also opened a permanent digital art museum in Tokyo, with urban developer MORI Building. This was the world’s first museum of digital art. The fall in the prices of projectors and computers made the huge museum impossible toeven make until then. It has been written about the museum that it is the “most instagramable” museum in the world.

In their works the team strives to combine art, science, technology, design and nature in a diverse way. The installations are huge and complex entities that have taken years to design. They use digital images, animation, music, light and sound effects in their works creatively. Many times the visitors can interact with the artworks by touch or movement. They can even participate creating some images which appear on the walls. Pictures don't really give the clearest idea of this all so here are couple of videos from their YouTube channel.

TeamLab's exhibitions fit well into the smartphone culture as they motivate visitors to use more social media as part of the museum experience and art experiences. Many wonder if the works on display in the museum are art? Or is it a social media spectacle, or a demonstration of technology? These exhibitions can really be seen as many different things from an artistic theme park to a collection of digital spaces.

Inevitably, a lot of criticism is being given to these aswell. Visitors can be quite dependent on their smartphones at the exhibitions, and the interaction often takes place with their own camera instead of a companion. Digitally created illusions can be unpleasant for some viewers and some feel like they’re just passing through a crazy jumble of colors and lights. Some experience the exhibitions just as a mere altar to some publicity.

However, there are many people who enjoy this art form, and TeamLab's exhibitions are definitely not lacking visitors anytime soon even during the pandemic. For many people, the uniqueness of the installations, the possibilities to interact with them, and the experience of being inside the works are relevant factors. Computer programs are not just animations, they are constantly changing and adapting to the movements and location of the spectators. Many of the installations take place in real time and are different with each performance. Unlike in orinary art exhibitions, the activity of the guests is allowed. The visitors participate and touch on the interactive walls and floor and “use” the works.

I personally find their works very beautiful and interesting, and the artform as an inevitable result of digitalism. They are going to have even more potential in the future as the technology keeps developing. I would love to visit their exhibition and definitely will some day. If you want to know more about the art collective, check the behind the scenes -video and my sources below. :)