A hypnotic, interactive installation named “The Obsidian Corridor” draws the viewer in with its ominous yet inviting aura. A pulsating black void, framed by shimmering obsidian tiles, consumes the space. But as one approaches the void, their reflection is drawn into it, a faint shimmer echoing out as it pulls the observer in.

As the viewer is enveloped by the darkness, the void becomes an overbearing presence that engulfs them. The pulsating beats of an indiscernible melody add to the stark atmosphere. The observer’s reflection returns, distorted and fragmented, as they become disorientated by the oppressive vacuum. Eventually, the observer is released, perhaps leaving just a little of themselves behind.

This piece is an homage to Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s “Frequency and Volume,” which is itself an interactive installation that crowdsources its soundtrack from the viewers. “The Obsidian Corridor” takes this concept to a new level, both with its visually striking appearance and its emphasis on the viewer’s connection to the piece. Today, it is released at the Tate Modern as part of Frank Bueltge’s continued experimentation with the intersection of art and technology. Check out his previous masterpiece, “The Wandering Soul,” for an ethereal reflection on the fragility of human connections, at https://frankbueltge.de/the-wandering-soul-an-ethereal-reflection-on-the-fragility-of-human-connections/.