Artist Statement

The presentation poses fundamental questions concerning randomness and computation. Nowadays, many procedures based on simulation of random processes lie at the basis of practical applications in banking, stock market, games, in security systems etc. Generating random numbers is not easy. People are extremely bad at generating random sequences. People behave in a mechanic and repetitive manner. Human brain aims to conceive reality within periodic sequences and patterns. The existing computing machines don’t generate random sequences; the so called pseudogenerators of random numbers are periodic. This is way the project deals with quantum level randomness from decay of radioactive materials as Thorium. Quantum mechanics is believed to be fundamentally non-deterministic and it shows that randomness operates on certain level of our reality.

Quantum Enigma is an installation, which utilizes radioactive materials such as Thorium for generating random numbers sequence that has a many applications as a great cryptographic key and source of random light and sound impulses. The existing computing machines don’t generate random sequences; the so called pseudogenerators of random numbers are periodic. This is why the project reaches quantum states which are highly randomized and can be used for generating random numbers. More: fundamental.art.pl/qenigma.html

• Robert B. Lisek PhD (Poland) is an artist, mathematician and composer who focuses on systems, networks and processes (computational, biological, social). He is involved in a number of projects focused on media art, creative storytelling and interactive art. Drawing upon post-conceptual art, software art and meta-media, his work intentionally defies categorization. Lisek is a pioneer of art based on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Lisek is also a composer of contemporary music, author of many projects and scores on the intersection of spectral, stochastic, concret music, musica futurista and noise. Lisek is also a scientist who conducts research in the area of foundations of science (mathematics and computer science). His research interests are category theory and high-order algebra in relation to artificial general intelligence. Lisek is a founder of Fundamental Research Lab and ACCESS Art Symposium. He is the author of 300 exhibitions and presentations, among others: SIBYL – ZKM Karlsruhe; SIBYL II – IRCAM Center Pompidou; Quantum Enigma – Harvestworks Center New York and STEIM Amsterdam; Terror Engines – Worm Center Rotterdam, Secure Insecurity – ISEA2011 Istanbul; Demons – Venice Biennale (accompanying events); Manifesto vs. Manifesto – Ujazdowski Castel of Contemporary Art, Warsaw; NEST – ARCO Art Fair, Madrid; Float – Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, NYC; WWAI – SIGGRAPH, Los Angeles. fundamental.art.pl