Lawrence Lek
Lawrence Lek is a simulation artist who brings together diverse practices – architecture, gaming, CGI, music and fiction – into a continuously expanding cinematic universe.
Often based on real places, his digital environments and video game essays reflect the impact of technology on our memories of the future. His works include the video essay Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD) (2016), the AI-coming-of-age story Geomancer (2017), the open-world game 2065 (2018), and Nøtel, an audio-visual collaboration with electronic musician Kode9 (2016-). His debut feature film AIDOL (2019) was presented at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and transmediale, Berlin.
“Lek’s unidealised world is utopian in the original meaning of the word – ou-topos: no-place – an abstract, weightless land where the established is dethroned, the permanent trivialized and the status quo held up to an unconventional, digital interrogation.”
Frieze
Lek composes soundtracks and conducts live audio-visual performances, often incorporating playthroughs of his virtual worlds. Recent soundtrack releases include Temple OST (The Vinyl Factory) and AIDOL OST (Hyperdub) and he has previously received the Jerwood / Film & Video Umbrella Award and Dazed Emerging Artist Award.
Lawrence will use the residency at Somerset House Studios to continue to develop VR and virtual worlds and CGI filmmaking which bring together all aspects of production: 3D development, programming, and sound design.