Carsten Nicolai. transmitter / receiver – the machine and the gardener

Carsten Nicolai on his work “transmitter / receiver – the machine and the gardener”, a site-specific installation created for Haus der Kunst. Like many of the artist’s works, it makes invisible phenomena perceivable. The installation’s appearance is determined by terrestrial and extra-terrestrial radioactive particles, measured by a Geiger Counter, and an antenna on the rooftop of Haus der Kunst, picking up cosmic noise. Nicolai conceived the “machine” for a composition to emerge that is entirely written by chance. The installation is inspired by Japanese Zen Gardens, which are conceived to resemble the universe in miniature. In reference to the Latin word “curare” – to take care – a member of the curatorial team will occasionally appear as the “gardener” in the installation to perform ritualistic acts of care and slightly rearrange its physical elements.