Storms
Every night in March, London-based Italian artist Quayola takes over Times Square with Storms, a mesmerizing depiction of deep-sea waves that engages and reimagines canonical imagery, particularly landscape painting, through the use of contemporary technology. Recognized for a multifaceted practice employing custom-made computer software spanning audiovisual performance, immersive video installation, and works on paper, Quayola’s poetic portrayal of the ocean employs technology as a lens to explore the tensions and equilibrium between seemingly opposing forces: the real and the artificial, the figurative and the abstract, the old and the new.
Storms comes to life with high-definition footage of Cornwall, England's stormy seas, captured by state-of-the-art tools. This recording thus serves as a dataset which Quayola transforms into a digitally rendered landscape painting. Within the video artwork, waves unfurl across an ethereal expanse and storms paint themselves over the flow of time. By melding human ingenuity with technological prowess, the artist investigates the long-contemplated social hierarchy between nature and technology with the development of a fresh aesthetic dimension.
Storms is presented in collaboration with Artnet, an online art market platform dedicated to exploring the possibilities of digital art and enriching dialogues at the intersection of art and technology.
Artnet’s co-presentation of Quayola’s March Midnight Moment marks the launch of an ongoing partnership that celebrates digital art in the heart of New York City. "Lending artists the iconic canvas of New York City's Times Square, Midnight Moment stands as one of the most distinctive digital art programs. Artnet is thrilled to join forces with Times Square Arts to bring this immersive experience to our global online community," said Jiayin Chen, Vice President at Artnet.
Produced by Quayola Studio
Giulia Olivieri (algorithmic paintings and recordings, editing, data-management)
Andrea Santicchia (tech research)
Maria Elena Brugora (production and logistics)
With the support of
Cinematography: Marcus Domleo
Shoot assistance: Henry Keep
Behind the scenes: Matt Robinson
Sound Design: Riccardo Marsana
Software Development: Nikolai Matviev, Kyle McLean, Natan Sinigaglia, Sebastiano Barbieri
Printing & Framing: Artproof
Developed with the support of Aesop
ABOUT QUAYOLA
Quayola employs technology as a lens to explore the tensions and equilibriums between seemingly opposing forces: the real and artificial, figurative and abstract, old and new. Constructing immersive installations, he engages with and re-imagines canonical imagery through contemporary technology. Landscape painting, classical sculpture and iconography are some of the historical aesthetics that serve as a point of departure for Quayola’s hybrid compositions. His varied practice, all deriving from custom computer software, also includes audiovisual performance, immersive video installations, sculpture, and works on paper.
ABOUT ARTNET
Artnet is the leading platform for the global art market, with journalism, insights and tools trusted to broaden the knowledge of professionals, private collectors and art enthusiasts alike. Artnet users and clients are able to navigate the art market with ease and, through its marketplace, buy and sell with confidence. Artnet provides users with the clearest picture of an ever-changing art world and is the leading global destination for art, with more than 60 million users annually.
Support for Midnight Moment is provided in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature; public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; and the Times Square Advertising Coalition, with additional in-kind support from the Times Square Edition Hotel.
Midnight Moment is made possible by the Times Square Advertising Coalition, ABC SuperSign, American Eagle, Branded Cities, Clear Channel, Coca-Cola, Diversified, Express, Heritage Outdoor Media, Levi's, LG, Line Friends, McDonald's, Microsoft, Midtown Financial, Morgan Stanley, New Tradition, Outfront, Paramount, Prudential, Sensory Interactive, Sephora, Sherwood Equities, Show + Tell, Silvercast, Swatch, TSX, and T-Mobile
