published by Charta, Milan, IT
 
text: Kazunao Abe, Maria Belen Saez de Ibarra, Benjamin Weil
format: 18,2 × 25,7 cm
pages: 144
binding: hardback
illustrations: 48 in color
year: 2012
edition: English/spanish
price: €39.00/$47.50
printed in Italy
ISBN 978-88-8158-834-3

amazon.com
amazon.fr
amazon.jp

dataphonics [2006-07] is a music project by ryoji ikeda, which focuses on the relationship between the sound of data and the data of sound. It spans various formats - multi-channel sound performance, radio broadcasts and audio/data research. dataphonics [radio series] was commissioned by L'Atelier de Création Radiophonique (ACR) de France Culture. It consists of ten six-minute segments, first broadcast monthly on Radio France during 2006-07. Various non-audio data were converted forcefully to audio data, which became the materials from which the tracks were composed. Moreover, this book examines the visualization of the composed tracks through the ultimate binary reduction of sound waveforms. dataphonics forms part of datamatics, an ongoing project by ryoji ikeda since 2006, in which he explores the potential to perceive the invisible multi-substance of data that permeates our world through audiovisual concerts, installations, cds and publications.

produced by: Ryoji Ikeda, Yuko Hasegawa (MOT)
editors: Kazuhiko Yoshizaki (MOT), Kohsuke Murata (MOT), Kei Wakabayashi (WK&CO), Kazuya Kondo
editorial assistant: Tsubasa Nishi
production management: Akio Takashiro (Esquire Magazine Japan), Mari Nakashima (Esquire Magazine Japan)
translation: R.I.C. Publications, Fontaine Limited
art direction & design: Kazuya Kondo
printing: Onoue Printings Inc.
publisher: Kiyoshi Hayashi (Esquire Magazine Japan)
distribution: Access Publishing Co., Ltd.

This is the first complete monograph about the seminal work of Ryoji Ikeda. With superb attention to detail and layout, the publication documents the artist's latest projects and includes brand-new artwork especially produced for the book. At the same time, formula covers Ikeda's landmark concerts and installations; and his collaborations with, amongst others, celebrated artist/musician Carsten Nicolai, acclaimed performance group Dumb Type and famous architect Toyo Ito. All of the dvd content is only available here, with a 35 minute full video documentation of formula [prototype] concert filmed in Tokyo and 8 sound pieces from installation works. Eagerly awaited, the publication comes in a numbered edition of 3,000. A special limited edition of 100, available exclusively from Forma, includes a new print signed and numbered by the artist. Not only the most complete Ryoji Ikeda catalogue, formula is an intimately-scaled minimalist artwork in itself, and an object of desire. How the book is held may cause the numbers and text, picked out in clear varnish on white page, to shimmer. Every aspect of look and feel has been considered by the artist's critical eye. His superlative production values are ever-present in the quality of the images and the finish. Only through repeated investigation does the publication begin to reveal its richness. Readers will be able to pore over the photographs, ponder the schematics and technical drawings, and enjoy the spacious listings of performances, exhibitions and releases. The artist's first-rate assembly of data, diagrams and video stills create moments of graphic intensity that make the white spaces of the pages surprisingly dynamic. The book is pure pleasure to hold. formula [book + dvd] reflects precise design and the Ryoji Ikeda's flawless selection of surfaces and materials. An exceptional publication, it provides a 'heightened sensory experience' in a similar way to his concerts, installations and sound works.