Arkhe

Arkhe is an interactive installation by Nohlab & Decol, which premiered at Contemporary Istanbul on 12-15 September 2019, and lately was a part of the Kristal Elma awards ceremony and Alibaba Design Week 2021.

A combination of custom interactive software, interactive sound, UI Design, rear projection system, plexiglass and mirrors and touch screen; Arkhe lets the person who experiences the work to control the elements that build up the essence of matter. As the viewers master the essence, they experience the transformation, motion and harmony that may arise when interacting with other elements.

Throughout history, humanity has sought to understand the operating principles of nature’s basic elements and the relationship between them- in order to dominate nature, and orient it for their benefit.

In the footsteps of Newton’s efforts to combine alchemy with mechanics, the artwork tries to bring digital and alchemy together, portraying human control over nature through computer-machine interaction.

System architecture, Lead developer, Concept and design phase in co-operation: Hakan Gündüz

An installation by DECOL and Nohlab

Curator: Esra Özkan
Coding support: Genco Levi
Sound design : Gökalp Kanatsız
Graphic design support: @ozkardaslar
Installation support: Melis Keskin, Genco Levi
Video Documentation: Cansu Turan
Photo Documentation: Hakan Gündüz

Commissioned by Siemens Home Turkiye Thanks to Contemporary Istanbul, Plugin Istanbul