'OK Do met Marc-Olivier Wahler, the director and curator of Palais de Tokyo, to talk about his recent exhibition trilogy in the intersection of science and imagination, and about practices of curating and interpretation. We also asked him to name the 3 most interesting areas or concepts in which art and science meet. Wahler’s 1–3 list links to our forthcoming Science Poems exhibition and publication.'
"The artist gives tools for people to view reality more acutely."
Could you name 3 interesting and meaningful areas or concepts in which art and science meet?
Marc-Olivier Wahler:
1. Science fiction
Remember when Blade Runner had to decide whether he was a replicant or a human being? I think it’s exactly like art. Visually, there was no difference between a replicant and a human being so his decision was totally subjective. From the moment he decided that he’s not a human being anymore, he completely changed his state of mind. And when you decide that for instance a table is a piece of art there’s no going back either.
2. Quantum physics
Quantum physics is concerned with multiple realities – or according to another interpretation there is only one reality but an infinity of universes. If parallel universes existed, it would mean that in those everything would be visually identical while aspects such as gravity and density might vary. I like to picture a replicant of our universe, society, environment and art where gravity is slightly different.
3. Electromagnetics
One of the main topics of my curatorial practice this year. I think that the visitors of Palais de Tokyo mostly focus on the artworks, but for me what happens in between is totally part of the exhibition, too. What I’m talking about is the empty space or the negative space around the objects on display. In physics, this space can be called the electromagnetic field. I mean, an artwork is not only about its material form but also about the aura and the radiation it can emit.
Words by
ANNI PUOLAKKA & JENNA SUTELA
Illustration by
LAURA LAINE
Quote by
MARC-OLIVIER WAHLER