Dennis Peters, Non-linear and Yash Chandak, Cursorama. Image courtesy of the artists.
Dennis Peter and Yash Chandak, otherwise known as Non-Linear and Cursorama, are reshaping India’s burgeoning tech-art scene. Since 2018, this dynamic artist duo has redefined how we experience art, blending generative visuals, electronic music, and interactive systems into immersive multimedia installations guided by cutting-edge algorithms. They create works that invite audiences into mesmerizing environments that dissolve the boundaries between the organic and the engineered. Both artists came to the medium via unconventional paths — Dennis trained as an architect and musician, while Yash made his mark as a motion designer and live visual artist. Over the years, their practice has evolved to explore the intersections of art, design and technology, inspiring audiences to reimagine the relationship between organic ecosystems and engineered systems. They have brought their creative vision to major cultural platforms, from the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa to global music events like Magnetic Fields in Rajasthan and Ozora in Hungary.
The artist duo is Goa-based — a deliberate departure from the fast-paced, high-pressure urban art scenes. “We came from cities, but the slower rhythm of Goa offers space to think, experiment, and stay connected to nature,” they share. They believe that connection to their environment profoundly informs their practice, especially their fascination with the interplay of natural phenomena and technology. “Being in Goa means we’re just minutes away from open creeks, the ocean, and endless inspiration from the natural world.”
“Ecocentrism isn’t just a theme—it’s a way of life,” Yash explains. “It’s about shifting from an ego-driven approach to recognizing that we are part of a much larger, interconnected ecosystem. It’s this perspective that drives our work and lives.”
Their studio mirrors their process: a dynamic hub where prototypes, music and projections come to life. Non-Linear shares this vibrant space with Ocupus, a media arts and design studio co-founded by Yash, fostering a unique ecosystem of experimentation and collaboration. “This kind of work demands physical presence,” Dennis explains. “You need to hear the music on good speakers, feel the visuals in real-time, and experiment with physical materials.” Their process emphasizes playfulness — a thread running through their journey from early improvisational projects to their more recent international recognition. “Our work starts with play. We test new algorithms, make mistakes and let the process guide us,” Yash shares. “It’s like collaborating with the technology itself, creating a feedback loop between human and machine.”
Their use of digital tools, custom sensors and projection mapping underscores their desire to push the boundaries of interactivity. Their connection to nature keeps their work grounded. “Technology and nature aren’t opposites; they’re deeply interrelated,” Dennis reflects. “We’re inspired by how the natural world has perfected itself over millennia. It’s this balance and elegance that we want to reflect in our art.”
An immersive art experience at India’s biggest metaverse summit, Namastey NFT. Image courtesy of Ameen Abdullah / A permanent AI-powered projection mapping experience for SOCIAL’s terrarium-themed outlet in Bellandur. Image courtesy of Yash Chandak.
As winners of the prestigious ‘Future is Born of Art’ Commission, led by BMW and India Art Fair, Non-Linear and Cursorama join the ranks of India’s most promising artistic voices. The annual commission challenges emerging artists to create large-scale installations that explore topical themes built on shared values of BMW and India Art Fair. Previous winners, Sashikanth Thavudoz, Devika Sundar and Faiza Hasan, have set the stage with visionary works exploring community, materiality and ecology. One of the largest commissions in India, the Commission awards its winner a generous cash prize, extensive production support and wide-ranging promotion through India Art Fair and BMW India’s digital, marketing, and press channels.
Now in its fourth year, the commission seeks to discover an Indian artist who will create a visually arresting and immersive environment for the revolutionary all-electric BMW IX1 LWB, MINI Countryman Electric and Motorrad CE 02 and CE 04, showcasing their ideas and vision for a bold, sustainable, brave and progressive future. The 2025 Commission follows the theme ‘Ecocentrism,’ encouraging artists to explore how ecological and cutting-edge technological thinking can co-exist and create visions for a brighter future. Jointly selected by India Art Fair and BMW India, the winning artist duo this year received extensive support from the fair team to conceptualise and materialise their final installation, to be unveiled at India Art Fair 2025.
Forces of Nature installation in Jio Convention Center in Mumbai. Image courtesy of Sid Dave.
In response to the theme, Non-Linear and Cursorama present Biolume: an ambitious larger-than-life 180-degree multimedia experience inspired by generative design and biomimicry. Drawing inspiration from the surreal elegance of bioluminescent organisms in the deep sea, the installation coalesces immersive visuals and an original soundtrack to place audiences inside an abstracted, glowing oceanic world. This project builds on their 2024 showcase at Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai, titled Forces of Nature, which explored algorithmic simulations of natural forces.
“Bioluminescence is like nature’s own sci-fi—a glowing, electric language that exists in harmony with its surroundings,” Dennis explains.
Here is your snapshot: Pulsating particles, shifting ecosystems and kaleidoscopic movements. You are in a room with screens everywhere — all around you, even under your feet. The music, all original sound by the duo, shifts from serene melodies to intense, glitchy soundscapes as the visuals take you from the ocean’s surface to its depths. Interactive floors and projection-mapped walls respond to your every movement. There are three distinct scenes: The Surface introduces you to the hypnotic interplay of caustic waves and glowing coastal organisms, The Depths takes you deeper, where pulsating forms and evolving networks mimic the mysterious beauty of underwater life and The Electric Abyss takes you to a futuristic oceanic landscape where organic and mechanical forms converge into an otherworldly harmony.
Biolume exemplifies the ethos of the Commission, underscoring the role of art as a powerful tool for social and ecological dialogue. “As artists, we see it as our responsibility to reflect on how technology and art can inspire change,” says the duo. “It’s about using the tools we are given to create harmony, not conflict.”
Dennis Peter and Yash Chandak are the winners of the fourth edition of ‘The Future is Born of Art’ Commission led by BMW India and India Art Fair. Their winning installation Biolume responds to the theme of ‘Ecocentricism’ and will be unveiled at India Art Fair 2025.
