"The art challenges the technology, and the technology inspires the art."

“Art whispers the unspoken, paints the unseen, and reveals the hidden depths of the human soul, while the artist, as a conduit of emotions, breathes life into the silent canvas of the world.”

In architecture, art is not merely a decorative element but an integral force that breathes life into spaces. It is the language through which architects articulate their visions, infusing structures with personality and meaning. From the majestic cathedrals of the past to the sleek modernist skyscrapers of today, architecture embodies artistic expression through its form, materials, and spatial arrangements.

The synergy between art and architecture fosters a dialogue between the tangible and the intangible. In this dynamic interplay, technology serves as a catalyst for new forms of artistic expression within architecture. In 1923 Walter Gropius, the founder of The Bauhaus, issued a new motto – 'Art and technology – a new unity'. The aim was to create a curriculum where artists and designers collaborated to craft works that had functional and aesthetic value through merging technology with art inspiring a radical shift in the architecture and art industry. This movement holds renewed significance in today's era, particularly with the integration of advanced technology and innovative tools in the realm of art design.

Technology has become an indispensable tool in the hands of architects and artists, revolutionizing the way they conceive, design, and create. From parametric modelling and virtual reality to 3D printing and computational algorithms, technological advancements have expanded the horizons of artistic and architectural possibilities.

Nestled within the bustling creative sphere lies art[LAB] —an immersive studio where visionaries converge to curate ground-breaking artworks. Here, a dedicated cohort of enthusiasts collaborates at the intersection of art, architecture, and technology, harnessing the fusion of these disciplines to craft visionary and innovative creations. As a hub of innovation, art[LAB]  continues to redefine the boundaries of creative expression, offering a melting pot of inspiration and ingenuity for both creators and admirers alike.

When art meets technology, space communicates itself with the user in its own style. Limitations of hand-crafting and singular design are overcome by computational tools and mechanical fabrication. The relationships between units in a complex system and the material used refine the character of the final output. Parametric forms when informed with ergonomic and functional parameters generate practical product solutions that reach beyond linear designing. Whatever be the cause, it is imperative that we learn to let informed design processes generate iconic outcomes that resonate with the environment in novel, creative means. When art meets technology, a new creative world is set alive.

WALL CLADDING

Hexa Skin, a wall cladding system, uses parametric techniques inspired by snake skin. The artwork creates an illusion that adds a new dimension to the space. From a distance, the Hexa skin reflects light at different angles, mimicking a snakeskin pattern. As one approaches the artwork, the three-dimensional relief provides a tactile experience. The installation is composed of hexagonal modules, each 40mm thick, made of Graphite grey Granite, mounted on an MS Framework.

Parametric Design techniques are used to control the rotation of the hexagonal modules along three axes. This ensures that no rotation causes an overlap of edges with the six neighbouring hexagons. A z-axis extrusion creates a 3-D effect that can be CNC milled with available tools and machines. The product, manufactured using CNC techniques, uses a size of 2 x 2’ 5’X5 (Lx B) and can be made from materials such as Avonite, Corian, Staron, Formica, and Wilsonart.

Sensual Spike is an equivalent 3D artwork that is a product of mathematical algorithms materializing as a monolithic form. Made out of 400 unique truncated pyramids at varying angles in a complex arrangement, the dynamic form follows the viewer’s perspective. As the title suggests, it is an abstract representation of sensuality is revealed when the artwork is viewed upfront where the arrangement and orientation of the pyramids generates a pattern that hints at sensuality. By translating artistic concepts into mathematical code, the artwork demonstrates how art and technology can work together to create pieces that are visually striking and conceptually complex. 

Designing a wall cladding design is more than just a painting or a static ornament; it can be generated from codes, concepts and geometries to represent space through 3-dimensional imagery achieved through the interplay of altering geometries. Symbolic and holy, the minimalist wall-hung temple project renders an elegant relationship between technology and tradition.

Crafted from 40 CNC-cut rubberwood fins each derived from a 3D model and numbered to facilitate seamless assembly, the Sculpted Ganesha becomes a reinterpretation of a traditional temple space, represented as segmented wall panelling that abstractly symbolizes Lord Ganesha. The design process involved exploring various Ganesha sculpture designs. Factors considered included different sizes, materials, positions, lighting, and surrounding elements.

ARTISTIC INSTALLATIONS & LIGHTING

Parametric chandeliers that create a play of light and shadow through directed axial rotations are one way to utilize geometries and computation to enhance the ambience of a space. With triangular brass pipe elements rotating around a central axis with each tip glowing with LED lights, the timeless polished brass lighting fixture blends in with diverse interiors. The product is interactive, allowing users to manipulate the light and engage with their environment. As the frames rotate, they cast shifting shadows and light, adding animated dynamism to the room.

An award winning dynamic installation, Swirling Planes of Windbourne Office in New Delhi are crafted from rose gold CNC cut metal curled into a spiral of airplanes suspended at varying heights to generate a sense of movement and depth. It is a beautiful blend of artistry and technology, showcasing how meticulous elements can be easily used to generate complex forms of art. The static installation on the rear wall further bridges the worlds of art and aviation, offering a thought-provoking perspective on the inner workings of aviation companies.

PARAMETRICISM & ART IN FURNITURE DESIGN

The ornamental facets of spatial design, apart from curios and installations, are the furniture occupying the space — directly engaging with the user.  Ergonomic and nodal circulation patterns, design of furniture requires utmost precision and attention to detail in multiple aspects.

rat[LAB] studio in New Delhi houses two tables, scooped waves and melting pods, that uses parametric design strategies in subtractive and additive fashion respectively. Durable and versatile, the Scooped Waves table has custom corian stone table-top crafted using CNC cutting while the Melting Pods is a unique white coffee table with wavy form. The table legs are made from sturdy MS (Mild Steel) box frames, offering stability and a modern industrial aesthetic. This contrasts with the fluidity of the Corian tabletop, resulting in a blend of natural beauty and contemporary design. The tables serve as a sophisticated centerpiece for meetings and collaborations. Both products are manufactured using CNC techniques, available in a size of 2’ x 2’ 5’X5’ (LxB), and can be made from materials such as MDF, HDMR, Corian, and high-density CNC-compliant stone.

Amorphous Surfaces is another stimulating public piece of fluid benches that are adaptable seating solutions for open spaces, designed to blend with their environment. Their dynamic forms are made of MDF with an MS Tube structure, encouraging interaction and contributing to the harmony of the space. Such projects embody technology and space in relevant forms and convey the significance of computational design and fabrication in the modern world.

As much art is additive, it can also be integrated elements. In architecture, while spatial planning is primary to crafting volumes, the final finishes largely determine the overall quality of a space. For this reason, it is highly significant that the architect involves personally in the final design stage. Art here can render elegance and identity to walls, floors or ceilings in implicit forms.

The handcrafted Ananta collection designed by art[LAB] in collaboration with Bharat Flooring and Tiles marks the symphony of infinite possibilities of art in flooring finishes with connected intricate and stimulating patterns. The recently released Anulom and Gaman series portrays abstract geometric patterns formed by multiple tiles joined in a grid. Anulom follows a hexagonal rhythm interconnected in a grid to create the rhythmic cadence while Gaman has seamlessly flowing lines that entwine the tiles together into one single piece of art.

Art can take many forms and with architecture as an inhabitable canvas, the architect needs to explore possibilities of creation within space; technology can help them achieve it.

art[LAB] - A unique & bespoke art installation vertical by rat[LAB] Studio :: Where Art meets Technology!

art[LAB] stands as a global consortium of innovative designers rooted in New Delhi, India, specializing in the creation of captivating installations and spatial art. Within this collective, a diverse team comprising designers, digital fabricators, computational experts and contractors collaborates intricately, crafting parametric art, spatial pavilions, installations, and captivating feature artwork. Through their interdisciplinary approach, art[LAB] fosters a unique environment where artists, architects, designers, and intellectuals from various domains converge, catalyzing the birth of ground-breaking artworks that challenge conventional artistic norms.

This creative hub signifies the seamless intersection of technology and tradition, embodying the fusion of bygone eras with the modern and future outlooks in creative expression. Ranging from wall art to illuminating fixtures and avant-garde furniture, art[LAB] showcases a dynamic array of artistic products and installations meticulously curated by their adept team. In alignment with rat[LAB], its parent studio, this narrative serves as a comprehensive documentation encapsulating diverse design methodologies employed across various projects. Emphasizing computational design and technical fabrication, each project unveils its unique process, tailored to the specifics of data and materials employed.

From the intricacies of hexa skin to the fluidity of amorphous surfaces, this compendium offers an immersive journey through an array of spaces, inviting readers to sense and envision the transition. It epitomizes the potential of technology in facilitating artistic expression, ultimately crafting spaces that resonate with visual allure, conceptual depth, and interpretative richness.

More about art[LAB] at: www.rat-lab.org/artlab // Write to info@rat-lab.org for enquiries.