Carsten Nicolai

Carsten Nicolai (*1965, Karl-Marx-Stadt) lives and works in Berlin. Inspired by scientific reference systems, Nicolai explores mathematical patterns such as grids and codes, error and random structures, as well as the phenomenon of self-organization. In doing so, he continually breaks down the boundaries between various artistic genres.

After his participation in documenta X (1997) and the 49th and 50th Venice Biennales (2001 and 2003), his works have been presented in national and international exhibitions in renowned museums and galleries. Comprehensive solo exhibitions have taken place at the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt am Main (anti reflex, 2005), Neue Nationalgalerie Berlin (syn chron, 2005), CAC Vilnius, Pace Gallery New York (pionier, 2011), Berlinische Galerie (tele, 2018) and K21 Düsseldorf (parallax symmetry, 2019). Carsten Nicolai’s works are included in important private and public collections.

Nicolai has received numerous awards and grants, among them: Giga Hertz Prize (2012, with Ryoji Ikeda); Villa Massimo, Rome (2007); Zurich Art Prize (2007); Villa Aurora, Los Angeles (2003); Prix Ars Electronica (2000 and 2001, with Marko Peljhan); Grand Prize Japan Media Arts Festival (2014).

His oeuvre echoes in his work as a musician: For his musical outputs he uses the pseudonym Alva Noto. Diverse musical projects include remarkable collaborations with Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ryoji Ikeda, and Blixa Bargeld among many others. Nicolai toured extensively through Europe, Asia, South America and the US. Among others, he performed at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Centre Pompidou in Paris and Tate Modern in London. Nicolai scored the music for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 'The Revenant’. The score was nominated for a Golden Globe, BAFTA, Grammy and Critics Choice Award. As well he has created the sound design for Iñárritu’s groundbreaking VR project “Carne y Arena”.