TORONTO—Art and technology have long been a match made in heaven—and an exciting new example is coming to Toronto from Oct. 2-31. Pulse Topology, an interactive light and sound art installation from Mexican-Canadian media artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, will feature 3,000 suspended lights that use biometric technology that reacts in real-time to the pulse of visitors' heartbeats.
How it works: As audiences walk beneath the work, touchless remote photoplethysmography (PPG) technology uses a light source and a photodetector to extract biometric information; a similar process is used in heart rate-monitoring equipment. Computer vision algorithms optically detect attendees’ heartbeats, which are then translated into blinking lights. As a result, the artwork changes and evolves with every visitor, resulting in a unique sensory experience that’s intended to be a collective portrait of a community.
The unique installation is very much a reflection of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Pulse Topology offers a visualization of human vital signs after a time of social-distancing and mourning,” explained artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer in a statement. “The piece consists of a labyrinth of lights and speakers reacting to the pulse of participants, creating a connective, immersive experience from individual biometrics, reminding us that we are not alone. The work is a memento mori, celebrating our fleeting existence.”
The exhibit will take over an enclosed storage chamber beneath the Gardiner Expressway that was previously closed to the public.Photo: Courtesy of The Bentway
The installation will take place inside a massive, previously inaccessible warehouse located underneath the Gardiner Expressway, in an effort to showcase a lesser-known part of the city. It’s a collaboration between The Bentway and neighboring event venue Exhibition Place. “This project is a continuation of The Bentway’s growing movement to explore the many possibilities of the Gardiner,” explained Ilana Altman, co-executive director of The Bentway. “For one month, beneath the artery of the expressway, Rafael’s work will demonstrate the city’s shared agilities, imaginations and ambitions for the future of Toronto’s infrastructure.”
In an effort to give back during the installation's run, The Bentway and Exhibition Place are also partnering with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and inviting health care workers from across the city to experience the exhibit. And in the spirit of accessibility, tickets for all attendees will have a pay-what-you-can model, with a suggested donation of $5.
To ensure safety, preregistration is required along with proof of COVID-19 vaccination. There will also be mandatory face coverings, physical distancing and limited group sizes. Tickets are available here.
