Le Cube - Centre for digital creation

Altaïr is a visual art installation, resembling in terms of form what might be described as a galaxy. It consists of rows of dots forming lines that undulate in a coordinated way, and stand for both lines of force and star clusters. The galaxy rotates on itself, its morphology and colours change, it draws nearer, moves away and tilts on its axis. These transformations represent its internal state and reactions to the behaviour of spectators.
For several years now, Hugo Verlinde has been studying the aesthetics of mathematical formulae in real-time mode. Here, he reflects on the creation of a “visual art personality” that would be embodied in a sidereal being, and on the type of relationship that could be established with its audience.