Exhibition by top Japanese artist at the Estonian National Museum displays a fragment of Estonians’ DNA

The solo exhibition of world-famous Japanese artist and composer Ryoji Ikeda, for which the artist collected data and inspiration in cooperation with the University of Tartu Institute of Genomics, was opened on 2 November. 

Ryoji Ikeda is well known for his large-scale installations, often inspired by science. His exhibition presents three works. 

The new audiovisual work “The critical paths” (2024) is an installation created in collaboration with researchers of the Institute of Genomics led by Kristiina Tambets, Professor of Archaeogenomics, including Monika Karmin, Research Fellow of Population Genetics, Lehti Saag, Research Fellow of Ancient DNA, Alena Kushniarevich, Associate Professor of Population Genetics, and Erik Abner, Research Fellow of Functional Genomics. In the installation, Ikeda used the DNA dataset of people who have lived or are living in the territory of Estonia to illustrate the story of the evolution of the human species. 

The ceiling over the 25-metre-wide corridor of the gallery space is full of LED screens, and the walls are covered with mirrors. The LED screens display a vast amount of genomic data, and mirrors amplify their enormity. Thus, visitors can walk through the data flow of human history. 

Besides “The critical paths”, Ryoji Ikeda and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir have jointly created the sound installation “Vox aeterna” specifically for the premises of the Estonian National Museum as part of the programme of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024. Its world premiere was conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste on 2 November. 

In addition to these new works, the exhibition showcases the author’s earlier piece, “Data-verse” (2019–2020). 

Ryoji Ikeda’s exhibition will be open until 2 March 2025.