Carsten Nicolai

Carsten Nicolai (b. 1965 in Karl-Marx-Stadt, Germany) lives and works in Berlin. Inspired by scientific reference systems, Nicolai explores mathematical patterns such as grids and codes, error and random structures, as well as the phenomenon of self-organisation. In doing so, he continually breaks down the boundaries between various artistic genres.

Following his participation in documenta X (1997) and the 49th and 50th Biennale di Venezia (2001 and 2003), his works have been included in important private and public collections and presented in national and international exhibitions in renowned museums and galleries. These include major solo exhibitions at Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt (anti reflex, 2005), Neue Nationalgalerie Berlin (syn chron, 2005), Berlinische Galerie (tele, 2018), Kunstsammlungen Nordrhein-Westfalen (parallax symmetry, 2019) and Haus der Kunst München (transmitter / receiver – the machine and the gardener, 2022).

Under the pseudonym Alva Noto, Nicolai is one of the best-known representatives of contemporary electronic music. Concerts have taken him to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Tate Modern in London. His various musical projects include collaborations with Ryōji Ikeda, Mika Vainio, Iggy Pop, Blixa Bargeld and Ryūichi Sakamoto. With the latter, Nicolai composed the music for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Oscar-winning film The Revenant, which was nominated for a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and a Grammy in the Best Original Score category.

Nicolai has received numerous awards and scholarships, including Giga Hertz Prize (2012, with Ryoji Ikeda); Villa Massimo, Rome (2007); Zurich Art Prize (2007); Villa Aurora, Los Angeles (2003); Prix Ars Electronica (2000 and 2001, with Marko Peljhan); Grand Prize Japan Media Arts Festival (2014).

Since 2015, Nicolai has held a professorship for art with a focus on digital and time-based media at the Dresden University of Fine Arts.