Karim Tarakji (CZ) → Red Shift (Neon Prize)

19:00 - 24:00
  • Karlín/Holešovice
  • Laser installation

About project

Red Shift explores the possibilities of developing new technologies. It uses the properties of metamaterials to open up new possibilities for image carriers using nanostructures. The original idea was to introduce new application of nanostructured hologram technology. Initially it centred around the physical phenomenon called redshift and the metaphorical representation of a cosmic object that is so old and distant that the light it emits appears invisible to us. But gradually, a change occurred. The authors eventually decided to abandon such a serious theme and instead capture the necessity of play and fun in work, research, creation and everyday life.

They decided to bring the GIF format, which is mostly only encountered in the virtual world, into physical space. They spread its 96 frames on a 25-millimeter circle, creating an animated loop. Each frame is about 100 microns in size, roughly the thickness of a human hair. A green laser beam passes through the rotating frames onto a projection screen. The whole object has the feel of a primitive home experiment, but also of a scientific research experiment.

The project was awarded as part of the Neon Award competition organised by Signal Festival in cooperation with Pražská plynárenská. The aim of the open call for students, graduates and alumni of art schools is to support innovative artistic projects focused on contemporary digital technologies, animation, motion design or 3D animation.

The Neon Prize is a partnership project of Signal Festival and Pražská plynárenská. It aims to support and promote emerging artists focused on digital technology, animation, motion design, and 3D animation. You will be able to get a closer look at the winning work of the third edition at this year’s Signal Festival.

About artist

Karim Tarakji graduated from the Faculty of Art and Design at Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem. He works mainly on the development of new media and their relationship to contemporary society. His main goal is to mediate and provide an undiscovered point of view and possibilities to perceive particular processes and events. The contrast between everyday life and science, along with the ever-evolving technology, is the basic theme of his work. The Red Shift project is the result of a collaboration between Karim Tarakji and Ondřej Červinka from the CEITEC research centre in Brno.

Supported by

  • Patron of the installation

    Pražská plynárenská

  • Supported by

    Prague 8