Spatial Calligraphy, Infinity Circle | teamLab

Spatial Calligraphy is calligraphy drawn in space, a form of calligraphy that teamLab has been exploring since it was founded. The artwork reconstructs calligraphy in three dimensional space to express the depth, speed and power of the brush stroke, and that calligraphy is then flattened using the logical structure of space that teamLab calls Ultrasubjective Space. The calligraphy shifts between two and three dimensions.

For the people of Nagoya (the city where this artwork is in permanent display) the number eight signifies “expanding prosperity”. Particularly in ancient times it was used in Japan to express an undefined large quantity. If the number eight is turned on its side, it becomes the symbol for infinity, ∞. The number is also constructed from two circles; echoing a motif of the Zen ensou, a calligraphic circle created in a single brushstroke. In this work, the ∞ symbol is continuously drawn for eternity, and Shachihoko (mythical fish) leap out of the ink and begin to swim around.

The calligraphy is continuously drawn in real time using a computer program. It is not a playback of prerecorded images; new calligraphy is continuously created, without duplicating previous works. The works become brighter as the sun rises, then darken with the advent of sunset. The same calligraphy that is viewable one moment can never be seen again.