Ken LUM, Pi (2006). Karlsplatz Westpassage (Vienna, Austria)

© herve bechy

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In this work, Canadian/Chinese artist Ken Lum approaches the world through a system of statistical and numerical data.
14 mirrors equipped with LED are fasten to the sides of an underground pedestrian walkway. On each mirror the artist has written a text followed by some numerical information, The text deals with a specific statistic, while the data is the numerical expression of the actual scientific data. Each statistic corresponds to a local or international fact. For instance: the number of tons of garbage collected in the city of Vienna during one year; the size of the Sahara desert; the world population, also the number of persons out of work in Austria, or the number of AIDS patients,,, The system of statistical numbering is set up so that it can accommodate fluctuations.
Within the installation, the definition of the number Pi means the world. This infinite number is produced using 478 decimals calculated through a powerful computer (LED signage)