Moiré Index is the title of a new art book by Carsten Nicolai, co-founder of the Raster-Noton label.

The book accompanies a recent exhibition of his work, Moiré, at the Pace Gallery in New York. It finds Nicolai, who records music under the name Alva Noto, exploring the so-called Moiré effect: the visual interference created when two patterns are overlaid on top of each other. Based upon a long period of research, Nicolai has created a visual compendium of these interference patterns aimed principally at designers, architects and others working in the visual arts and professions; included with the book is a CD containing not just the featured moirés as digital files, but also individual elements that can be used to create an almost endless amount of new overlays. Apparently these files can be used with virtually any platform, operating system, and graphics software.

The 312pp Moiré Index is out now, published in hardback by Die Gestalten Verlag. October 4 sees the release of Mimikry, Nicolai’s album-length collaboration with Blixa Bargeld as ANBB – more info here.