Carlo Korinsky
Media artist, Visiting Artist for 2024 ICCI ART VALLEY.
He got the Master degree of Arts in Sound Studies at UdK Berlin. Co-founder / artistic & technical director of Studio Korinsky in Berlin. Since 2012 managing Studio Korinsky in Berlin and international experience in Presenting the works internationally on festivals like Ars Electronica Linz, Andorra Biennial, CerModern, Museum, Experimenta Biennial, Melbourne, Grace Cathedral San Francisco, Berlin Cathedral, Bozar - Palais des Beaux-Arts Brussels, Art&Tech days Kosice, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul, Kestnergesellschaft Hannover.
Interviewer, writer｜Nono/ Wangshan/ Keresy/ Monica
The series of art interview was completed by the students of the ICCI course "Digital Curatorial Management", and is a practical part of the ICCI ART VALLEY Program.
Carlo has always believed that art is more than just a creative act; it's a means of engaging with the world at a deeper level. As an artist, Carlo's work has never been a one-way expression but rather a continuous conversation with the universe. His thoughts spill onto the art works, often in abstract forms, intertwining his emotions, experiences, and the world around him. He is quick to acknowledge that art is an evolving journey, one that should challenge both the artist and the audience. Every creation is an invitation to explore the unknown, to ask new questions rather than seek concrete answers. His interest in sound, especially in how it interacts with space, further fuels this exploration. For Carlo, sound is an artistic tool with the same potential for discovery as any other creative medium. It offers boundless opportunities for exploration and innovation, with the power to unlock new ideas, challenge perceptions, and create distinctive experiences. As his work evolves, he begins to incorporate more immersive mediums, striving to transcend traditional boundaries and evoke emotional responses that engage multiple senses.
“Sound is just a tool … but we are trying more and more to expand our methods and horizon and trying to find a visual relation to sound.”Carlo's artistic exploration does not stop at sound. He tries to break the boundaries of the senses and combine sound with visual art to create a new artistic expression. In his works, sound is no longer a background, but becomes part of the visual experience. The two are intertwined to build a multi-dimensional art world.
“We develop intuition based on life experiences. Scientists too. Scientists also rely on intuition, but try to transfer this into knowledge.”Carlo believes that the boundary between art and science is not obvious. He often collaborates with scientists to explore the role of intuition in the creative process. He believes that intuition is the starting point of innovative thinking for both artists and scientists. This emphasis on intuition allows Carlo's works to often touch the hearts of the audience and trigger deep thinking and emotional resonance.
“I really love to work with scientists because their curiosity is contagious, and it pushes me to dig deeper, ask more questions, and refine my ideas.”
One of Carlo’s most exciting aspects as an artist is his ability to collaborate with professionals outside the traditional art world. His collaborations with scientists—from those studying the cosmos to marine biologists—are foundational to his work. For Carlo, art is not an isolated endeavor but one that can flourish through cross-disciplinary dialogue. He reflects both share a reliance on intuition, built on real-world experiences and emotional insight.
Carlo's collaborative projects with scientistsPart of the SECAR System at FRIB for the research of Nuclear Astrophysics | Research phase and experimentation at Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology
“Collaboration is about communication at eye level. It’s easy when you work with passionate people, regardless of their field of expertise.”
But the collaboration doesn’t stop there. For Carlo, successful partnerships with scientists involve much more than simply extracting data for artistic use. It’s about building relationships, working with passionate individuals, and finding shared goals and visions. Communication is key:“It’s easy when you work with passionate people,” Carlo says, “regardless of their expertise.” He sees these exchanges as intellectually stimulating, pushing him to expand his artistic boundaries and challenge conventional thinking.
“speculative design, for me, serves to create curiosity and introspection, so the primary purpose I pursue is questioning the present. …”“I try to present futures that are both plausible and unsettling, which serves as a means to prompt visitors to reflect on current realities”
Carlo's speculative design work1algal blooms, 2022, 900 x 400 x 250 (h) cm microalgae, glass, metal, clay, latex, air pump system, LED lights, 4-channel speakers
Carlo's speculative design work2stormchaser II, 2023, 250 x 250 x 350 (h) cm DMX motor automatisation, xy-rail, metal, wood, plastic, pipes, humidifier, fans, rails, water pump, 4-channel speakers
Carlo's works are often full of futurism and have strong speculative design features. He constructs future scenes to provoke the audience's reflection on the real world. His installations are not intended to provide answers, but to provoke discussions, challenge concepts and open up space for other possibilities. He believes that speculative design can serve as a mirror for society, forcing us to face reality and raise difficult questions about our future direction.
“I don’t think the future is as dark as it seems. Technology can build a new bridge, a bridge that connects what is missing.”
In the harmonious coexistence of technology and nature, Carlo sees the potential of technology to bridge the broken connection between humans and nature, especially in the face of global challenges such as climate change. Through his works, especially creative installation art, he reflects on environmental issues and explores the mysterious connection between humans and the universe.
“When artists use technology, I think it’s interesting, but if there’s no concept and the skills are not strong, then I wonder, why are you doing it?”
“I think sometimes students or artists use technology because they think they have to use the latest thing—AI, the newest robot, and so on.”
Carlo has a deep understanding of artistic creation. He believes that technology is a means of artistic expression, but not an end. Real artistic creation needs to touch people's souls and needs depth and emotion. Therefore, he always encourages artists to use new technologies while not forgetting the essence of art - expressing human emotions and experiences.
Carlo's upcoming projects are a fusion of science, technology, and art, with a clear focus on the future. His work, in collaboration with nuclear astrophysicists at Michigan State University, aims to create an immersive installation that translates real-time data from the universe into a sensory experience. This project will allow the audience to engage with cosmic phenomena in a new and transformative way, exploring the vast mysteries of the universe in real time.
“I want to focus with the students on the future of listening. How does our behavior will change in the future and how does audio technology adapt to those changes?”
Carlo and students at the exhibition of ICCI ART VALLEY
In addition, Carlo is turning his attention to the future of sound and human interaction. By working with students, he will delve into how our behaviors may shift in the coming years and how audio technology can evolve to meet these changes. Carlo's vision is not just about adapting to technological advances but understanding how these advances can enhance and reshape the way we experience sound in a rapidly changing world. His work is a constant invitation to explore the intersection of science, art, and the human experience, challenging us to think deeply about our future.