Of Colour and Light

Of Colour and Light

[2018]

Various materials
various sizes

Of Colour and Light

[2018]

Various materials
various sizes

« Of Colour and Light » is a transdisciplinary project in collaboration with scientists from the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) and the Free University of Berlin, in the Orangerie of Charlottenburg castle in Berlin. The project addresses the question of how researchers collect data and information, and how they then transform it into scientific knowledge. The project deals with the fact that digital information today provides more information and data than ever before and scientific datasets grow to unimaginable dimensions („big data“). It investigates how this development is almost decoupled from the actual knowledge existing in our society and what are the gaps between potential and actual knowledge.

In an experiment conducted over more than two months, the artist and the researchers worked with the audience to investigate the environmental impact of differently-colored artificial light on organisms in Berlin’s Spree River, and ascertained the possible effect it could have on humans. The Orangerie itself has long been associated with research, as could be seen by the antique measuring instruments as well as alchemical materials that referred to the fascinating activities of the Orangerie.

With Dark Knowledge Group consisting of the scientists: Dr. Jonathan Jeschke (Biology, Ecological Novelty), Dr. Stella Berger (Biology, Aquatic Ecology), Sophie Lokatis (Biology), Dr. Isabelle Bartram (Molecular Biology, Medicine), Dr. Christopher Kyba (Particle Physics), Florian Ruland (Ecosystem Research) and Dr. Ulrike Scharfenberger (Ecosystem Research).

In collaboration with Freie Universität Berlin (FU), Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) and Alliance for Freshwater Life