Artwork for the exterior of the CLAIX-2023 supercomputer at RWTH Aachen University: On October 23, 2024, RWTH Aachen University’s IT Center unveiled its latest high-performance computer, CLAIX-2023. This event also showcased the artistic design adorning the supercomputer’s exterior, created by Berlin-based 3D artist Artur Krutov. Krutov’s work weaves themes of digital simulation, engineering, and sustainability into a visually compelling, expressive form, merging aesthetic vision with cutting-edge technology.
Krutov’s design builds on Tim Berresheim’s 2018 creation for the predecessor model, CLAIX-2018. Known for his digital work that deeply explores the human-technology relationship, Berresheim set new standards for the artistic design of supercomputers. Artur Krutov now continues this tradition, presenting his own visual interpretation of the advanced computing power of CLAIX-2023. Both artists utilize digital technologies as creative tools, offering fresh insights into the intersection of art and science.
The artistic vision
Krutov’s concept for the CLAIX-2023 aims to represent digital matter in the form of metallic structures reminiscent of art installations or fine jewelry. These structures symbolize the precision and high value of the computing power made possible by the supercomputer. “My work represents a balance between power and detail – an invitation to immerse yourself in the emerging patterns created by the chaotic play of digital matter,” says Krutov. The chrome-plated dots of his design stand for elementary particles, while colored metal structures simulate the intricate paths of particles as they occur in physical simulations.
CLAIX-2023: Innovation meets art
CLAIX-2023 offers ground-breaking computing power for research areas such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. The design developed by Krutov addresses the technical possibilities of the supercomputer and the social implications of technology in art. “This project reflects the process of transformation – the endless evolution of matter that leads to new information structures, which in turn give rise to new meanings,” explains Krutov. His visual work illustrates the interplay of chaos and order that is at the heart of both art and science.
Technical Overview
CLAIX-2023 is equipped with powerful Intel Xeon 8468 Sapphire Rapids CPUs, featuring 96 cores per compute node, and includes 52 specialized servers for AI and ML applications, each outfitted with four NVIDIA H100 GPUs. This configuration enables the system to deliver over 14 PFLOPS of performance in the ML segment. The system’s 632 directly water-cooled nodes for HPC provide a significant boost in overall capacity, supporting a wide range of applications while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
Picture Source: IT Center
