ENDO EXO  and PHOSPHENES  draw upon Carsten Nicolai’s collaboration with Ryuichi Sakamoto, which began in 2002. Both videos feature soundtracks from Sakamoto’s final studio album, 12 (2023). Inspired by Jules Verne’s science fiction novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the works are two of the twenty-four chapters in Nicolai’s film project 20,000 (2014–ongoing).

Carsten Nicolai: ENDO EXO, PHOSPHENES  is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time, on view in The Studio from 14 February to 5 July 2026.

Both videos are part of Art at the Stair, an exhibition series at the Grand Stair that presents outstanding moving image works in dialogue with other ongoing programmes.

Carsten Nicolai (German, born 1965) is an artist based in Berlin. He is a contemporary electronic musician who works under the name Alva Noto. Blending abstract forms with scientific principles, his visual art explores the intersection of technology, science, and human perception.

Art at the Stair is an exhibition series that showcases moving image works from the M+ Collection and on loan. Presented at the Grand Stair, the exhibitions feature a variety of artistic approaches seen in both historical and contemporary works that connect with ongoing exhibitions in the museum.