Carsten Nicolai
musician, based in Berlin, Germany.
also writes as Alva Noto
Carsten Nicolai lives and works in Berlin. Inspired by scientific reference systems, Nicolai explores mathematical patterns such as grids and codes, error and random structures, as well as the phenomenon of self-organization. Following his participation in documenta X (1997) and the 49th and 50th Biennale di Venezia (2001 and 2003), his works have been included in important private and public collections and presented in national and international exhibitions in renowned museums and galleries. These include major solo exhibitions at Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt (“anti reflex”, 2005), Neue Nationalgalerie Berlin (“syn chron”, 2005), Berlinische Galerie (“tele”, 2018), Kunstsammlungen Nordrhein-Westfalen (“parallax symmetry”, 2019) and Haus der Kunst München (“transmitter / receiver — the machine and the gardener”, 2022).
Under the pseudonym Alva Noto , Nicolai is one of the best-known representatives of contemporary electronic music. Concerts have taken him to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Centre Pompidou, Paris; and Tate Modern, London. His various musical projects include collaborations with Ryoji Ikeda, Mika Vainio, Iggy Pop, Blixa Bargeld, and . With the latter, Nicolai composed the music for ’s Oscar-winning film The Revenant , which was nominated for a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and a Grammy in the Best Original Score category. Nicolai has received numerous awards and scholarships, including Giga Hertz Prize (2012, with Ryoji Ikeda); , Rome (2007); Zurich Art Prize (2007); , Los Angeles (2003); Prix Ars Electronica (2000 and 2001, with ); Grand Prize Japan Media Arts Festival (2014). Since 2015, Nicolai has held a professorship for art with a focus on digital and time-based media at the .
