Real-life 8-bit installation brings Greek ruin in the modern age

At a 400-year old ruin in the little village of kKgatika on the island of Paxos, German artist duo Quintessenz used over 120 shades of color to create the illusion of digital pixels.

The German artists have suspended their installation in an abandoned stone building in the village of Kagkatika. Mesh-like fabric has been spray-painted in 120 different shades, creating a kaleidoscopic, digital pixel-like mirage. Each layer becomes larger and more prominent as visitors walk towards the centuries-old stone windows that form the backdrop to the artwork.

„The wind and the sunlight make the installation appear like a digital body in the real world,” explains the artist duo. “It forms the interface between analog and digital, between today and then. The great contrast makes the installation look almost unreal, as soon as the wind settles in the layers and the sunlight underlines the colours even more, it seems as if there is only one place for this installation.“

Although Quintessenz’s installations look incredible when captured on camera, the duo’s distinctive works are always best viewed in person. The artists explain, “We hope that the visitors of our work leave their mobile phone cameras in their pockets for a moment and simply enjoy the light and the translation of the wind in the material.”

Quintessenz consists of Thomas Granseuer and Tomislav Topic, who are known for their site-specific installation art made from a combination of materials. At the island of paxos, they joined seven other artists at the first edition of P-CAP, curated by Berlin-based artist duo Leonid Keller. P-CAP is a newly launched site-specific art installation and performance project that transforms the little Ionian island of Paxos into an open-air gallery.