Ding an sich

Ding an sich (The Canon Series) is an artwork by Piotr Szyhalski. It consists of a series of 12 “canons,” which respond to the user’s touch to create individual interactive experiences. Together the 12 canons comprise Ding an sich, which translates as “the thing itself,” a philosophical concept defined by Immanuel Kant in his Critique of Pure Reason as “the reality of the thing--the essence beyond the knowledge of appearances.” According to Szyhalski “Ding an sich is unknowable though certainly existing, providing a unique angle for the contemplation of art in general, and specifically the relationships between artists, audiences, and the work itself.”

Once the app is downloaded, no Internet access is required to experience Ding an sich, except for the video interview with the artist and other “Extras.” This app is designed to be accessible for hearing and sight impaired(?) users with voice over and closed captioning.

Ding an sich was first commissioned by the Walker Art Center in 1996 for its online Gallery 9. For this version, Northern Lights.mn, the Weisman Art Museum, and the Walker have collaborated with the artist to create an app of the work with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.