AUJIK was initiated in 2001 by artist Stefan Larsson, born in Soderhamn, Sweden. Lives and works in Otsu, Japan.

Inspired by Ray Kurzweil and Vernor Vinges ideas about Technological Singularity and Artificial General Intelligence(AGI). Focusing on how AGI relates to emotions, psychology, consciousness and nature. Mainly produce Videos expressing this matter. The exhibition at ASK? Gallery will feature 4 Videos, Photos and Mandala Paintings. "

About AUJIK:
AUJIK is a new age group who shares Shinto's belief that everything of nature is animated, even the things that we consider the most artificial and synthetic.
Just as with other forms of animism, AUJIK worships everything that comes out of nature and regard it as spiritual beings, the main difference with AUJIK is that science and technology is considered as sacred as stones and trees.

Melvin Lavell writes in his books Esoteric Perception of Artificial Intelligence and Ghost in the machine of sticks and stones that all sort of communicative technology since the first radio waves posses something metaphysical and spiritual and when it will reach a more sophisticated form more people will discover it and then it will reach a religious status.

The Shinto priest Hideaki spoke about similar things in the 1800:th century after he had seen a Karakuri doll( a clockwork robot made of wood) and claimed that in the future we will create mechanical characters that will become so superior to our own intelligence and ability's that we will subject oneself s as they were gods.

These thoughts are the fundament for AUJIKS doctrine and then later developed in to something that reminds of theological dualism were the original nature (trees, metals, organism etc)is considered esoteric chaos and the refined nature(computers, robots, DNA-manipulation etc) is considered esoteric order.

The resistance between those has during the years decreased and will one day converge in a pyramid shaped top that will fill the world with clarity and absolute truth.By creating organic/synthetic artifacts AUJIK believe they will reach this level a lot faster than it is destined.

Videos:
Title: a Forest within a Forest. year 2010. CGI HD 720p
Title: KIIA. year 2010. CGI HD 720p
Title: the Ishiyama Excursion. year 2009. CGI HD 720p
Title: YUKI. year 2007. CGI DVD.

Photo series :
Title: Family Crisis. year 2011. 4x photos, each 60x60 cm Paintings series:
Title: CIM (Cognitive Immersive Mandala.) Mixed Media.
4 devices. each 60x60cm.
Year: 2011

Education:
Umea University Academy of Fine Arts. MFA. Contemporary art program. 1998-2005.

Selected Group Exhibitions/Video Screenings:
2003. 30 ars jubileum. Kvarnen. Saderhamn 2004. Konsthogskolan. Umea 2005. ”Dispatched” Bildmuseet, examensutställning. Umea 2005. Västerbottensmuseum. Umea 2006. Design Festa, Tokyo. Japan 2006. Gavleborgs lanskonst, yngrestipendiat. Soderhamn 2007. Source vol. 15. Mirai Projects. Stockholm 2008. Video art screening. Boras.
2008. “Sta nara” PUB Varuhus. Stockholm
2009. VideoGUD. Gavle.
2009. Videostationer i Gavleborgs lan.
2010. ”the Grass is Greener” Vastmanlands museum 2010. JunKroom vol. 15. Kyoto. Japan 2010. Erlebnisklo.(With Dominik Jais) Essen. Germany 2010. VideoGUD. Uppsala. Sweden 2010. Brooklyn Bowl. New York City. USA 2010. Tags. Novosibirsk. Russia 2010. Expanded Architecture.Part of Sydney Architecture Festival. Australia 2010. OneDotZero International Festival 2010/2011.BFI Southbank, London. 2010. 18-28 Nov. STRP. Art & Technology. Klokgebouw, Eindhoven. Holland 2011. January. Souvenirs from Earth. Broadcasting. French & Germany. + the bar/restaurant at Palais de Tokyo. Paris.
2011. 26 Jan. – 6 Feb. International Film Festival. Rotterdam. Holland.
2011. 2 Feb.– 13 Feb. Japan Media Arts Festival. Japan National Art Center. Tokyo.
2011. 18 March. Lightworks Festival. Grimsby. U.K.
2011. 4 April Laminate x TKYO. Group exhibition & Charity event for Japan. The Music Room&Vaad Gallery, London.

Upcoming:
2011. 27 April - 05 May. Nippon Connection. Franfurt am Main, Germany.
OneDotZero. International Festival Tour.
Colonge OFF 2011.

Solo Exhibitions:
2001. QNQ.STR. Galleri 60. Umea
2007. 3 AUJIK videos. Osaka contemporary art center. Osaka. Japan.
2009. MOLOCH. Dohjidai Gallery. Kyoto. Japan 2011. 9 - 21 May. Solo Exhibition. art space kimura ASK? Ginza, Tokyo.

Grants:
Yngre Stipendiat. Galveborgs lan.
Mimmi Brunzens Stipendium.
2008. 1-Year Working Grant. National Public Art Council, Sweden.
2011. Project Grant. National Public Art Council, Sweden."

Represented:
Swedish Art Council.
Private Collections.
http://www.q-n-q.com/

AUJIK site:
http://www.q-n-q.com/aujikmovie.html

* The text provided by ASK? art space kimura

Dates: May 9 - 21, 2011
Venue: ASK?P(B1F)