Charles Sandison: The Garden of Pythia

PCAI has commissioned artist Charles Sandison to create the site-specific, permanent installation The Garden of Pythia for “pi”, Global Centre for Circular Economy and Culture in Delphi, which will be unveiled in the context of Delphi Economic Forum (April 9–12). During the opening the artist will be present.

Inspired by the famous Delphi oracle, called Pythia in ancient Greece, at the archaeological site of Apollo Temple nearby, the immersive artwork integrates historical imagery, data from the local geology, flora, and fauna through advanced technology. Projections are integrated into the garden environment, creating a harmonious blend of ancient history and contemporary technology. This installation aims to provide viewers with an understanding of AI concepts and their historical context, highlighting the continuity of human inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge.

The idea arose during the artist's visit to the historic site where he speculated that the concept of the oracle, which was sought after by pilgrims for prophetic predictions, was a prototype for an organic, natural computational device. An elaborate network of rituals was integrated into this unique landscape, where gates, pathways, and timings acted like the logic board of a computer. To Sandison, historic Delphi was analogous to CERN, the most evolved system for interpreting and predicting goals and outcomes. It was a way of trying to better understand the world, very similar to contemporary advances in artificial intelligence.

Human history has been shaped by the process of asking questions. Language, symbols, numbers, and information—all forms of ancient and modern technology are centred around the perpetuation of information. Our early steps into the future of artificial intelligence make perfect sense when viewed through the ancient mountain pathways of history we have followed. Sandison’s artwork exposes this historical relationship and enfranchises viewers to understand some of the concepts of AI and its potential, while shining a light on the bigger picture of this historical process. The work uses historical imagery of texts and fragments from Delphic statues, monuments and inscriptions combined with information on local flora, fauna and geology. Sandison’s Garden of Pythia is equipped with specially designed code and sensors that detect temperature and light levels, allowing the artwork to interact with the local environment and evolve over time.

The artist, Charles Sandison, notes: “The  Garden of Pythia is an imaginary place—partly on a mountainside in ancient Greece and part in the silicon matrix of my computer. Inspired by my visit to the Temple of Apollo, I have coded this artificial intelligent artwork which combines memories of the Pythia to the beautiful slopes of mount Parnassus in the form of generative data projections that evolve in response to its environment. I hope visitors will see this artwork as a way to bridge the ancient and the modern and understand the answers we seek from AI are the same as we asked from Pythia.”

Athanasios Polychronopoulos, Polygreen CEO and PCAI Founder, states: “Ι am extremely happy that we got to commission renowned artist Charles Sandison to create a new installation for our venue pi (Global Center for Circular Economy and Culture) in Delphi. I appreciate how the  artwork highlights the important history of Delphi whilst also aligning with  the environmental concerns of Polygreen. The opening takes place in the context of the Delphi Economic Forum, marking our successful collaboration with the Forum and our mutual respect for art and the environment.”

Kika Kyriakakou, PCAI Artistic Director, says: “Sandison’s new work echoes in the most refined manner PCAI’s environmental mission and our dedication to contemporary art. We are pleased to have commissioned this immersive, real-time computer generated installation that exemplifies Sandison’s sculptural approach towards moving image and information technology along with his deep concern for nature protection, human and non-human communication and cultural heritage.”

In the context of the exhibition, PCAI commissioned sound artist Kostadis Michail to create a new sound installation.

More about Charles Sandison
Charles Sandison was born in Haltwhistle, Northumberland and grew up in Wick, Caithness. Sandison was always interested in computing; at the age of 12, he taught himself to code on his computer. He went on to study art (at the Glasgow School of Art) from 1987–1993 and briefly taught there after graduating. In 1995,  Sandison moved to Finland and now resides permanently in Tampere. During the early 1990s Sandison exhibited alongside Young British Artists in shows such as Wonderful Life, Lisson Gallery, London (1993) and Institute of Cultural Anxiety: Works from the Collection Institute of Contemporary Arts, London (1994). During a 5-year hiatus Sandison moved away from the United Kingdom and occupied the position of Head of Fine Art at Tampere School of Art and Media. He came to wider recognition in 2001 after exhibiting in the Venice Biennale. In 2004, Sandison became a visiting professor at Le Fresnoy, Lille. Sandison was awarded the Ars Fennica prize by President of Finland Tarja Halonen in 2010. Much of the artist’s work involves computer generated video projections that create immersive data installations, placing the viewer at the centre of a changing universe of words, signs, and characters. Sandison's art works to incorporate the viewer into the piece, so that the computer and human mind can work together. He draws inspiration from nature and his surroundings, and attempts to capture elements of human life and the current world that we live in.

More about Polygreen Culture and Art Initiative (PCAI) and “pi”
PCAI is a cultural organization founded by Athanasios Polychronopoulos, Polygreen CEO, as a means to increase environmental awareness through an annual programme of commissions, contemporary art exhibitions, artist residencies, workshops, conferences and sponsorships. The PCAI Art Collection focuses on commissions and acquisitions of moving image and contemporary art while providing artists with the means and resources to create an artwork inspired by urgent environmental, sociological and philosophical issues, allowing for their absolute freedom of expression and critical inquiry. Throughout the years PCAI has partnered with various institutions and biennials, including the British Council, Serpentine London, the Venice Biennial, the Sao Paolo Biennial, the Sharjah Biennial and KW Berlin, whereas its cultural projects and collaborations have been awarded on many occasions. In 2021, PCAI became an official nominator for the Earthshot Prize, the significant environmental award established by the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales. PCAI is a proud member of the International Association of Corporate Collections of Contemporary Art (IACCCA) with Kika Kyriakakou, PCAI artistic director, serving as a board member.

“pi” (Global Centre for Circular Economy and Culture), is the former Pikionis pavilion, a historic and architectural monument recently renovated and culturally activated by PCAI. Located in the archaeological area of Delphi, the breathtaking venue was designed by leading Greek architects Dimitris and Petros Pikionis in the 1950s and constitutes a typical example of post-war architecture. A unique PCAI cultural space focusing on environmental awareness and contemporary art that has already hosted important art exhibitions, performances and events in partnership with international institutions and other art collections.

pcai.gr

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Opening: April 9 at 8:00pm

Admission and transportation on the opening day are free (to reserve your bus seat click here).

Opening days and hours
From April 13, the exhibition will be open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday after sunset (please check website for seasonal timings)

Information: pcai.gr, info@pcai.gr