Advanced Beauty: Synesthetic Video Art

Still from Robert Seidel

I’ve seen enough “conceptual” video art to be wary of the medium, but the Advanced Beauty exhibit, which uses the theory of synesthesia, is beautiful and intriguing (even to the non art-savvy). An ongoing collaboration between artists, musicians, animators, architects, and programmers, these “video sound sculptures” are meant to mingle and excite the senses.

Still from Karsten Schmidt

There are six videos available on the website right now and a new one coming out on August 18th. My favorites right now are the ones directed by Robert Seidel (short and sweet) and Karsten Schmidt (otherworldly music, reminds me of a thousand copulating paper cranes). If you’re lucky enough to be in Amsterdam right now, the videos are playing in a boutique window on the Prins Hendrikkade until August 18th. Everyone else will just have to check the website.