Art and Technology: Invader’s QR Code Art
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Invader, the enigmatic French street artist, has long intrigued the art world with his pixelated mosaics inspired by 8-bit video games. Beyond his well-known Space Invaders installations, Invader has ventured into the digital realm with his QR Code art series. This blog post explores the innovative QR Code artworks by Invader, uncovering the unique blend of street art and digital technology.
The Birth of QR Code Art
In 2008, Invader took up a new technology — QR codes. QR codes are images composed of small black and white squares that allow users to deliver content via a smartphone.
Invader’s interest in QR Code art began with his fascination with the intersection of digital and physical spaces. QR Codes, primarily used for their functional ability to store and share information, offered a new canvas for his creative expression. By integrating these technologies into his favorite medium of street art mosaics and slightly modifying the image, it became a unique style of mosaics. Invader hid a Space Invader within as a signature without altering the content. By embedding these codes into his mosaics, he bridged the gap between the tangible and the virtual, inviting audiences to engage with his art in a novel and interactive way.
Behind the physical artwork and its image lies a message that is revealed to people equipped with the decoding app: "this is an invasion", "nice art", "I love you" or "not for sale".
-Invader
ceramic on board, decoding to “Hello, my name is INVADER”
HMNII (2008)
invader’s qr code art
Varanasi
In Varanasi, India, in 2008, formally called Benares, the first wave of invasion started with the 12th invasion being on a ledge near the river. After scanning the twelfth mosaic VRN_12, it said, “I Invade Varanasi -Invader 03/2008.”
VRN_12 (2008)
Kathmandu
In Kathmandu, Nepal, the eighteenth mosaic KAT_18is another QR Code. It originally displays the text “I INVADE KATHMANDU INVADER 02/2008”, but after reactivation, the pixels in the top right-hand corner are messed up, making it irreversible.
KAT_18 (2008)
Paris
In Paris, France, the mosaic PA_795 could be scanned like a QR Code with websites, but it does not work with a phone application. The history of this piece is unknown, and is probably lost to time, presenting “INVADER 2008”.
PA_795 (2008)
New York
In New York, in 2009, Invader placed another QR Code, NY_118 on the streets, simply saying, “I INVADE NY 4”. Sadly, the mosaic was destroyed and never seen.
NY_118 (2009)
Brussels
In Brussels, Belgium, in 2012 Invader installed an art piece different from the ordinary. It depicts a squared-shaped mess in two different colors, red and black. Invader said that it is a more evolved code redirecting to a website, which theoretically reveals an animation about the invasion of the city. Here is the link.
It works if you get a website that does the work for you, but if you get up your phone and scan the code, it doesn’t work for some reason. It may be due to the expiry and the long time it has passed.
BXL_40 (2012)
challenges
Invader's pixelated style is central to his identity as an artist. Integrating QR Codes into his style without losing its dual purpose is a delicate process. They must be visually compelling as standalone artworks and function effectively as scannable codes. Therefore, if you look closely at some of Invader’s QR Codes, a pair of eyes of a Space Invader is secretly blending into them.
Another challenge in creating QR Code mosaics is to ensure scannability. QR Codes must adhere to strict structural guidelines to function correctly. Any destruction can render the code unusable, especially when exposed to the public. In addition, newer software may not be able to recognize the QR Code, resulting in readability incapabilities due to time differences.
Facing the expiry of QR Codes was significant. The fact that none of the remaining QR Code mosaics are scannable is severe, probably due to the corruption of the past QR Codes or the server being down for the website. The truth is, we have no idea why it has gone wrong, but we do know that it has lost its main purpose after the decay.
decoding reveals “ceci est une invasion”, translating to “this is an invasion”
Conclusion
The creation of QR Code mosaics by Invader is proof of his skill and combination of once-emerging technology and art. His challenges highlight the complexity of integrating digital technology into traditional art forms. Despite these hardships, Invader continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art, creating works that are as engaging and thought-provoking as they are innovative. But after their expiry, what is left behind for us?
Low Fidelity Exhibition (2009)
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We do not own any copyrights to the photos used
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All rights reserved ~ We do not own any copyrights to the photos used ~
