Multimedia artist Refik Anadol from Istanbul, Turkey, is leveraging artificial intelligence to create a digital sculpture named ‘Machine Hallucinations: Sphere’ on the programmable LED exterior of the Sphere in Las Vegas. The immersive art project, inspired by space exploration and featuring over 300 million images of flora and fauna, aims to merge media arts with architecture.
Refik Anadol Transforms Las Vegas’ Sphere Exterior
Refik Anadol, a multimedia artist from Istanbul, Turkey, is utilizing artificial intelligence to transform the exterior of the Sphere in Las Vegas. Starting September 1, 2023, Anadol’s digital sculpture, called “Machine Hallucinations: Sphere,” will be displayed on the fully programmable LED exterior of the Sphere, known as the Exosphere. The piece will be visible for four months.
This immersive art project is inspired by humanity’s exploration of space and consists of two chapters. The artwork features pigments, shapes, and patterns derived from over 300 million publicly-available images of flora and fauna. According to Anadol, this opportunity aligns with his studio’s mission to merge media arts with architecture, creating interactive, living pieces.
The Sphere, described as a next-generation entertainment medium, boasts nearly 580,000 square feet of programmable LED paneling, making it the largest screen of its kind. Sphere Entertainment Co. believes that showcasing both art and brands on this massive exterior will redefine the future of live entertainment.
The venue, situated near the Las Vegas Strip next to The Venetian, will also host other high-profile events and residencies, including a 25-date residency by U2, beginning September 29, 2023. These events will feature the Sphere Immersive Sound system, developed in collaboration with Berlin-based audio company Holoplot.
