2023-09-01 10:17:42
Refik Anadol, the renowned artificial intelligence (AI) artist, has made history by creating an extraordinary artwork for the Sphere in Las Vegas. As of September 1st, the LED facade of the colossal structure has been adorned with Anadol’s mesmerizing Generative AI images, illuminating the night sky with ever-changing constellations.
Anadol’s data artwork, aptly named “Machine Hallucinations,” has been generating immense excitement ahead of the Sphere’s official opening, which is just weeks away. On September 29th, the iconic rock band U2 will have the honor of illuminating the Sphere from within for the very first time, as reported by invidis.
The installation, “Machine Hallucinations,” comprises two remarkable series: Space and Nature. Both series utilize vast amounts of data to create abstract images that evoke the beauty of the cosmos and the natural world. Collaborating with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Anadol’s studio fed the AI with millions of raw images captured by satellites and spacecraft, including those from the International Space Station (ISS) and the Hubble telescopes.
The Nature series within “Machine Hallucinations” is divided into two parts. The first part incorporates over 300 million photographs of flora and fauna, with algorithms generating unique virtual shapes using these real images as a foundation. The second part, titled “Sphere: Winds of Las Vegas,” utilizes real-time data from wind sensors in Las Vegas, including wind speed, precipitation, and barometric pressure, to create an immersive experience.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, Anadol stated, “It’s so exciting to have such an architectural and engineering marvel on screen. This opportunity perfectly aligns with our studio’s long-standing mission to integrate media arts into architecture, creating living architectural works that constantly interact with their surroundings.”
Sphere Entertainment, the operators of the Sphere, has been building anticipation for the opening of this magnificent structure for over a year. In February, U2’s concerts were announced as the inaugural performances. On Independence Day, the Sphere illuminated the night sky in the colors of the US flag. It is fitting that a global sensation like Refik Anadol would be chosen as the first artist to showcase data art on this grand scale.
Standing at an impressive 111 meters tall and 157 meters wide, the Sphere is the largest spherical structure in the world. Its exterior and interior dome are covered in LED modules, totaling an astounding 1.2 million units supplied by Saco, the same LED manufacturer that adorned the facade of the renowned Burj Khalifa.
With Anadol’s “Machine Hallucinations” adding an awe-inspiring dimension to the Sphere’s exterior, anticipation for its official opening continues to grow. As the world eagerly awaits the mesmerizing combination of art, architecture, and music, the Sphere stands ready to make an indelible mark on the entertainment landscape of Las Vegas and beyond.]
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