Beings by Universal Everything now open

ACMI’s playful world premiere exhibition Beings, by international art and design collective Universal Everything (UE), is now open until 29 September 2024.

Featuring 13 vibrant, life-affirming artworks projected at scale, Beings invites visitors to move, dance and play with curious characters born from code. Created from ever-evolving algorithms, many of the artworks grow and change in real-time, responding differently to each visitor, every time they visit.

The exhibition is complemented by a suite of joyful public programs over winter: loosen up at a participatory dance event by Deep Soulful Sweats, indulge in music, performance and play at ACMI Nights, upskill at an expert talk and have fun with the family at free play-and-learn workshops for kids.

For 20 years, UE has crafted new and soulful forms of moving image by subverting cinematic CGI, physics simulations and real-time gaming graphics – technologies typically used by Hollywood studios and videogame makers. Their colourful, digital artworks always start with a single hand-drawn line; for the first time anywhere in the world, these sketches are on display in Beings.

ACMI Director & CEO Seb Chan said: “Universal Everything are unique in the art and design space, championing screen technology that uplifts, enchants and delights. Their generative works generate endless joy – and will bring smiles to everyone in the winter months ahead. Bring the whole family for a day of play at ACMI.”

Universal Everything Founder Matt Pyke said:”We’ve enjoyed collaborating with ACMI’s curatorial team to create a show we hope demonstrates our passion for the potential of today’s technology to bring beauty, positivity, play and experimentation to audiences of all ages. Beings brings together several strands of our artistic practice including our studies of ‘future humans’, collective behaviour, and the natural world. Our largest show to date documents our journey to create bold new forms of moving image which connect to all of us, inspiring curiosity, and delight. We’re very excited to see Melbourne audiences interact with the results.”

Explore Beings after-dark on 13 June at a party merging live music, performance, food and drinks in partnership with RISING. Hosted by the incomparable Betty Grumble, ACMI Nights: Beings will bring together local DJs, vintage videogames, a performance choreographed by Harrison Ritchie-Jones, and a dress-up station featuring playsuits by artist Samantha Thompson, for a serious night of play.

Dance the night away on 25 July at Deep Soulful Sweats, a participatory event led by local dance artists Sarah Aiken and Rebecca Jensen. The spontaneous ‘follow the leader’ style choreography will take visitors through the exhibition, offering a surprising new perspective on its fantastical beings.

Curious young minds can learn more about the exhibition’s themes and concepts in a free, guided play-based experience, ACMI Preschoolers. Running on the third Friday of every month, this interactive program is a fun way for children aged two to five years to enjoy ACMI with their parent, grandparent or carer. For older kids, education resources are available to support a Primary or Secondary school excursion focusing on character design, imaginative writing, and playful creative arts activities.

Beings is now open until 29 September in ACMI’s Gallery 4. Tickets are priced from $7. For further details visit acmi.net.au.

Kinfolk by Universal Everything in Beings at ACMI, 2024, Image by Eugene Hyland