Sat, Mar 11 - Thu, Mar 16  2017

SXSW - Miami Consulate Region

From March 11 until March 16, SXSW will present ‘POV’ (Point of View) by Dutch artist Nick Verstand, Nikki Hock and Pandelis Diamantides. The art installation will be on view in the Hilton, room 412 from 10AM – 7PM (10AM – 6PM on March 16).

About the Artwork

‘POV’ is an audiovisual installation that lets you tangibly experience the flexibility of your perception. Two eight-meter diameter octagonal shaped light sculptures and an eight-speaker ambisonic surround system animate light and sound around you and create a truly immersive sensory experience. 

The installation reflects on our currently overstimulated environment by illustrating how technology is able to mediate our perception.

By creating a completely dark environment, the installation allows the audience to recapture their sensory self by placing them in an initial state of sensory deprivation. The deliberate perceptual isolation allows subjective perception to be reset and is subsequently altered by the use of light and sound. The visual system is deprived essential information necessary to interpret the dynamics of the space and turn it into its mental representation.

After the subject’s sensory palate has been cleansed, minuscule pulses of light and sound encapsulating the audience are able to manipulate their sensory experience. POV influences the audience’s perception of the size, direction and their position in relation to the continuously changing dynamics of the space. The spatial audiovisual composition heightens and challenges the senses, so the audience tangibly experiences the flexibility of their own perception.

Perception itself acts as the artistic medium, becoming an integral part of the piece. Through its immersive experiential process, the installation reveals that what is seen depends on our subjective perception and temporal perspective of the experiencing subject.

About Nick Verstand

Nick Verstand (1984) is a contemporary artist exploring how science and technology affect human perception and consciousness. His large-scale immersive art installations – combinations of light and sound – transform human behaviour into hypnotic environments.

Co-creations of the artist, object, and audience, Nick’s intuitive surroundings trigger exploration and interaction. They form sensory experiences that touch upon people’s subconscious mind.

Over the past few years his work has acquired global recognition from renowned institutions like Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, TED, Frame Magazine, Creators Project, Van Gogh Museum, SXSW, Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, EYE Film Institute, Royal Concertgebouw, Creative Industries Fund NL, European Union, Lumen Prize, Chicago Tribune, Sandberg Institute and Reykjavik Art Museum.

About SXSW Art Program 2017

South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals (March 10-19, 2017) has announced the five art installations to be showcased in its inaugural SXSW Art Program taking place March 10-19. The SXSW Art Program creates a platform for visual artists to connect with international leaders in the fields of music, film and technology through showcasing innovative projects and hosting discussions. The installations, by both established and emerging artists, explore the relationship between light, time and human movement; temporary immersive environment experiments; the black woman and beauty through the lens of technology; the concepts of interface and connectivity using fiber optics; and the emotional response to music using the Circumplex Model. “Art and Design has always been central to the SXSW ethos, and we have quickly become a recognized platform for visual artists to showcase art installations and connect with filmmakers, musicians, and technologists” said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer. “The Art Program is the first time we have formalized the program and sought leading artists to design specific installations that we know will resonate with SXSW audiences.” While SXSW has always featured cutting edge art throughout the festival environment–such as Silent Room in 2016, Pi Day celebrations in 2015, and previous works by Nick Verstand, Simon Heijdens, POW! WOW! and SprATX, Tom Sachs, Ishky and Re+Public–this year’s program is the first to be formally selected by the SXSW Art Team in collaboration with an advisory board reflecting leaders and curators in the art world and beyond. The installations deliver an experience of unexpected discovery and inspiration as SXSW continues to bring together diverse people, mediums, and topics.

Supported by DutchCultureUSA and the

About the Creative Industries Fund NL

The Creative Industries Fund NL is a Dutch cultural fund that provides grants for innovative projects within design, architecture and e-culture. In addition, it stimulates crossovers with other cultural and social sectors. Commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Creative Industries Fund NL has an Internationalization Programme designed to strengthen the global reputation of the Dutch creative industry, build enduring networks and broaden the market. It is this Internationalization Programme that has made the exchange with the South by Southwest festival possible. The Creative Industries Fund NL is supporting 14 Dutch parties who are presenting their projects, products and ideas at SXSW 2016.