[전시/런던] Universal Everything - Lifeforms

180 The Strand, London's the most active immersive exhibition space presents Lifeforms by Universal Everything.

It is full of Universal Everything's acclaimed walking forms. 

The long curved screen wall you face as soon as you enter the basement of 180 The Strand is indeed impressive.

'Infinity', an endless video piece shows various digital creatures constantly walking. Walking along the screen gives a feeling like I become one of those strollers. 'Infinity' originally was displayed in a subway station in S.Korea - well, that would make total sense. 

Infinity by Universal Everything @180 The Strand, Lifeforms

Behind that, there is 'Walking City.'

I would say, it is one of the most famous artworks of Universal Everything. 

Minimal geometric shapes are moving like a human -again- walking. When you read these shapes are influenced by Zaha Hadid's architecture, you will definitely see that.

What's fascinating for me from 'Walking City' is how the human brain works and how Universal Everything gets to the heart of the matter. How does my brain even perceive those lines, triangles and porous circles as a human? 

Walking City by Universal Everything @180 The Strand, Lifeforms

Interaction with artworks is also a formidable point to explore in the exhibition. 

'Future You', which was commissioned by The Barbican, mirrors the audiences. It creates a digital version of the viewer with its geometric, fizzy thingy. They move, walk, and dance.

Another work reactive to audiences in real-time is 'Into The Sun'. Here, things are not walking. 

Basically, a plant will grow up to say hello and mimic the viewer in the tranquil landscape. 

It is an experience that the viewer can feel their presence under the soft, quiet sunlight.

Into The Sun by Universal Everything @180 The Strand, Lifeforms

It is definitely quite fun to watch Universal Everything's walking forms on the human scale.

Thinking that all weird bits and pieces, all geometric shapes are generative works coming out of their creative codes.

 

However..........

Erm.

Would I pay £25 to go to this show? (Luckily, I was invited for PV)

It is fun. Really.

There's even NFTs that you can buy there and they set the screen like a fashion show. Witty, no?

Maison Autonome by Universal Everything @180 The Strand, Lifeforms - NFT available.

 

Maybe, it is a good refresher to think about how much technology has advanced and how humans can be transformed in the digital realm.

 

 

Okay, I just write that - but it already sounds farfetched to me even. It's my arty jibberish. 

In Factmag's interview, there's a long conversation about what's so important about making walking forms and the implications of works like.. 'walking' is essential to human existence...

If you can feel that in the show, that's great. But I couldn't. 

Lifeforms is quite commercial. I mean, either 180 The Strand or UE claim themselves to be 'art' at least.

 

Live Forever by Universal Everything @180 The Strand, Lifeforms - Lenticular, I liked the idea.

 

 

It will be on by 18th December.