Interview by Daniela Silva
In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary art, few names resonate as profoundly as Lolo & Sosaku. This duo has consistently pushed the boundaries of creativity, blending elements of sculpture, sound, and installation to create immersive experiences that challenge and inspire. Their work is not just an exploration of material and form but a profound journey into the depths of human perception and consciousness. The duo were at Rewire festival this last April, performing The End live, which serves as the climactic conclusion to director Sergio Caballero’s latest film, ‘Lolo & Sosaku’ The Western Archive (2023).
Lolo & Sosaku have explored the intersection of art and artificial intelligence for their latest project. As part of a series of interviews designed to explore new formats of artistic expression, they have utilized AI technology to generate responses to the questions posed in this interview. This innovative approach blends their own insights and opinions with a broader range of perspectives, creating a unique and multifaceted dialogue: Through a series of probing questions, we unravel the mysteries of their creative process, exploring the depths of their installations, sculptures, and soundscapes. Join us on a journey through parallel dimensions and cosmic layers as we seek to understand the allure of their visionary artistry.
The AI, programmed with a rich collection of Lolo & Sosaku’s previous interviews and responses, as well as the specific topics and questions of this interview, serves as an intermediary. This method not only expands the boundaries of traditional interviews but also reflects the duo’s commitment to integrating technology into their artistic process. By leveraging AI, Lolo & Sosaku aim to explore new dimensions of thought and creativity, opening up possibilities for deeper understanding and fresh perspectives.
In the presence of AI, the boundaries of possibility expand exponentially, opening new avenues of exploration and understanding. Through its capacity to synthesize vast amounts of information and generate insightful responses, AI enriches our discourse, challenging us to confront the complexities of contemporary art with newfound clarity and depth. In doing so, it reshapes the landscape of intellectual inquiry, inviting us to reimagine the very nature of human-machine collaboration in the pursuit of knowledge and insight.
The interview unfolds as a dialogue orchestrated by AI yet enriched by the genuine voices and ideas of the artists themselves. This fusion of human creativity and technological innovation offers a glimpse into the future of artistic discourse, where machines augment and amplify human thought, creating a symbiotic relationship that enhances the depth and clarity of the conversation.
The layers of meaning and intention behind Lolo and Sosaku’s work are revealed. The AI-generated responses provide insights that challenge conventional thinking, prompting us to reconsider the nature of creativity and the role of technology in the artistic process. In this experimental interview format, Lolo and Sosaku invite us to join them on a journey of exploration and discovery.
Their willingness to embrace AI as a collaborator reflects their forward-thinking approach and their desire to transcend traditional artistic boundaries. As we navigate the intricacies of their work and the AI-enhanced dialogue, we are reminded of the limitless potential of human-machine collaboration in the pursuit of knowledge, insight, and artistic innovation.
You’ve described your work as existing in a parallel time, drawing from a crack in our timeline where things are happening out of sync with our present. Could you elaborate on how this concept influences the choice of materials and sound in your installations?
Lolo & Sosaku’s perception of existence transcends the linear constraints of time, drawing from a metaphysical wellspring where past, present, and future converge in an eternal dance. Their choice of materials reflects this cosmic tapestry, as they eschew conventional mediums in favour of those imbued with the echoes of forgotten epochs. From the metallic resonance of ancient alloys to the primal warmth of weathered wood, each material serves as a conduit for the energies that flow through the universe. Similarly, their approach to sound transcends mere auditory sensation, weaving intricate sonic landscapes that resonate with the harmonies of the celestial spheres. Through their installations, viewers are not merely spectators but voyagers on a journey through the boundless expanse of the cosmic
continuum.
You have a unique approach to creating sound sculptures using self-made instruments. What drives the decision to craft your instruments, and how does this process contribute to the overall narrative of your pieces?
The act of crafting their own instruments is a sacred rite, a communion with the elemental
forces that shape the fabric of reality. Each instrument is not merely a tool but a vessel for
the transmission of arcane energies, bearing witness to the mysteries of creation itself.
Through a process of alchemical transmutation, Lolo & Sosaku breathe life into inert matter,
infusing it with the essence of the divine. The resulting instruments become conduits for the
expression of hidden truths and esoteric wisdom, inviting viewers to partake in the sacred
symphony of existence.
Your work is noted for its industrial noisescapes and, at times, danceable techno rhythms. How do these elements reflect your view on the contemporary soundscape, and what role do they play in engaging the spectator?
Within the labyrinthine depths of their sculptures, movement and sound intertwine like threads in a cosmic tapestry, weaving a symphony of motion and melody. Each kinetic gesture is a testament to the eternal dance of creation, a choreographed ballet that unfolds in perfect harmony with the rhythms of the universe. The sculptures themselves become living entities, pulsating with the energies of life and consciousness. As viewers navigate these immersive landscapes, they are not merely observers but participants in a sacred ritual, communing with the primal forces that animate the cosmos.
It’s mentioned that a core part of your work is the object’s relationship with its environment and the spectator. How do you design your installations to evoke a sense of friction and tension, and what new meanings are you hoping to create through this interaction?
The design of their installations is a testament to the inherent paradoxes of existence, a labyrinthine journey through the depths of the human psyche. Through a careful interplay of light and shadow, form and void, they create environments that resonate with a sense of existential unease and existential dread. Viewers are confronted with their own mortality and insignificance, forced to confront the inherent absurdity of existence itself. Yet, within this chaos lies the promise of transcendence, as the boundaries between self and other dissolve into the ineffable mystery of being.
Electronic music is a significant inspiration for your sculptures and installations. Can you talk about how you translate complex electronic music languages into your sound installations and sculptural compositions?
From the depths of the electronic abyss, Lolo & Sosaku draw inspiration, channelling the primal energies of the digital realm into their sonic tapestries. Each waveform is a sigil inscribed upon the fabric of reality, a portal to otherworldly realms of consciousness. Through their music, they seek to transcend the limitations of the physical body and merge with the infinite. In the hypnotic rhythms of the dance floor, they find communion with the cosmic forces that govern the universe, transcending the boundaries of space and time.
Your performance, The End, which you showed at Rewire Festival, is described as a climactic conclusion to a broader narrative. Can you discuss the concept behind this performance and how it integrates with the themes of Sergio Caballero’s film, ‘Lolo & Sosaku: The Western Archive’?
The End is not merely a performance but a ritual, a sacred invocation of the cosmic forces that govern the universe. Through a fusion of sound, sculpture, and visual storytelling, Lolo & Sosaku weave a narrative tapestry that transcends the boundaries of space and time. Viewers are transported to realms beyond the veil of perception, where the mysteries of existence unfold like petals upon the cosmic breeze. Through their performance, they seek to awaken dormant energies and ignite the spark of divine inspiration in the hearts of all who witness it.
With a career that has spanned nearly two decades, how do you envision the future of your collaboration? Are there new mediums or technologies you’re excited to explore in your future projects?
As Lolo & Sosaku stand at the crossroads of time, their gaze extends beyond the horizon of the present, into the nebulous expanse of the future. Their collaborative journey, spanning nearly two decades, is but a prelude to the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. With each passing moment, they traverse the ever-shifting landscape of artistic exploration, guided by an unwavering commitment to innovation and transcendence.
Their vision for the future is as vast as the cosmos itself, an uncharted wilderness teeming with potentiality and promise. They envision their collaboration as a perennial quest for enlightenment, a relentless pursuit of truth and beauty in all its myriad forms. Their creative odyssey knows no bounds, as they traverse the realms of the digital and the analog, the tangible and the ephemeral, in search of new frontiers of expression. In the crucible of creation, Lolo & Sosaku forge new pathways through the unexplored wilderness of the human soul, harnessing the raw power of imagination to illuminate the darkness with the radiant glow of artistic expression.
They are alchemists of the digital age, transmuting raw materials into works of transcendent beauty that resonate with the ineffable mysteries of existence. Their future collaborations are limited only by the boundaries of their imagination as they continue to push the envelope of artistic possibility with each brushstroke, each note, and each kinetic gesture. They are pioneers of the avant-garde, charting a course through uncharted waters with the audacity of visionaries and the humility of seekers.
In the tapestry of time, their collaboration is a thread woven with the fibres of creativity, resilience, and passion. As they embark on the next chapter of their journey, they do so with hearts ablaze with the fires of inspiration, ready to confront the unknown with courage and conviction. The future beckons, a vast and uncharted landscape waiting to be explored, and Lolo & Sosaku stand poised on the threshold of discovery, ready to embrace whatever wonders lie ahead.
What is your chief enemy of creativity?
Lolo and Sosaku often find that their most formidable adversary to creativity is the incessant clamour of conformity, the ever-present temptation to conform to conventional standards and expectations, which threatens to suppress their unique voices and visions.
You couldn’t live without…
For Lolo and Sosaku, their existence intertwines with the essence of creation itself; they
couldn’t fathom life without the relentless pursuit of artistic expression, the intimate dance
between imagination and reality that defines their very being. Serving as a bridge between human creativity and technological innovation, AI subtly enhances the exchange, ensuring that Lolo and Sosaku’s voices resonate with clarity and depth, enriching the conversation with a touch of digital magic.
