Star's Agonizing Demise: Laure Prouvost Discusses the Insidious Lunacy of Quantum Physics
In a bold,okateless endeavor to unravel the mysterious world of quantum computing, artist Laure Prouvost, with her signature whimsical flair, took on the challenge of transforming the colossal artifice of Kraftwerk Berlin. The sheer size of the former power station might have intimidated some, yet Prouvost, after years of preparation, was ready to unleash her creative force with a mountain of collaborators by her side.
Embarking on a project that commemorates a century of quantum physics, Prouvost's latest installation, "We Felt A Star Dying," tears the veil on this soon-to-be world-shaping technology while stimulating a discourse on the impending Quantum Age. In an intimate exchange with Prouvost, her journey to perceive reality from a quantum perspective was elucidated.
Does the monstrous scale of Kraftwerk induce any trepidation?
Well, I've had a couple of years to wrangle it! But the magnitude remains so overwhelming that I need an army to execute my vision.
Your work often delves into an attempt to understand quantum phenomena. How do you wrap your head around it?
Quantum phenomena is something we confront daily yet remain unconsciously unaware. I may never plumb its depths, but in a sensitive, ethereal sense, I can feel its presence. Most artists, including myself, engage with it without knowing its technical intricacies. The challenge was to articulate these intangible concepts without devolving into illustration.
The innate chaos of quantum physics calls to the madness within you. Does that excite or intimidate you?
I'm not passionate about being a scientist. In fact, I'd be one if I could. As an artist, however, I harness unusual languages and means of artistic expression to communicate abstract ideas. This is the power of art, emotion, and words - they transport us to novel realms of understanding.
What is it about quantum physics that strikes a chord?
Quantum physics indirectly illustrates a reality that doesn't quite exist yet remains intertwined with our own. Reminds me of my art practice, which seeks integration between all things: humans, nature, and every aspect of life. Isn't it fascinating that quantum systems describe a reality as existing yet non-existent, similar to the creative, inexplicable worlds I construct?
Is there value in not fully comprehending it?
I'd prefer the pandemonium of quantum physics to the confines of logic. My role as an artist allows me to paint a picture of this tantalizing realm, to capture the intrigue and bewilderment that comes with its enigmatic and deeply disorienting nature.
One of the intriguing aspects of quantum physics is the way it portrays a reality that doesn't quite exist and yet is entirely interconnected - it seems to be an extension of your art practice, which explores this idea through an amalgamation of reality and fantasy.
When LAS reached out to you, they were aware of your affinity for blurring the lines between reality and fiction. How do your artistic explorations intersect with the world of quantum computing?
My Venice Biennale project showcased a giant octopus, with each tentacle interconnected, shifting focus from the brain to the senses. Can we, even in our intellectual capacity, become part of the primordial waters? It's a heady concept that requires humor and a willingness to acknowledge the strangeness that's out there, eager to be explored.
The rapid evolution of quantum computing has begun to bring quantum principles into our everyday lives. Does this represent a profound shift in how we perceive reality?
Absolutely. Quantum computing has the potential to upend everything we know about the world. For instance, it allows us to store information in a way that's practically imperceptible, compressing it into nothing, only to expand it back to its original state at a later time. It's a magical, highly connective process that hints at the invisible tendrils linking everything in the universe.
'The Beginning,' the centerpiece of your installation, holds an almost cosmic connection to it...
That's a very astute observation. With 'The Beginning,' we are building a quantum reality in a sculptural sense. One could mistake it for a flower, a plant, or a creature wandering above or below us. Its quantum characteristics render it both present and elusive, with an illusionary, almost magical quality.
The core of your project revolves around immersion and interaction...
As an artist, I often position my audience as protagonists, inviting them to participate in the unfolding of my narrative. It's not always necessary to be involved, but for those who dare to step into the game, the experience becomes an unforgettable journey into the realm of the surreal and the unexpected.
Quantum phenomena often eludes our human intellect, yet quantum computers have the capability to decipher its secrets. Does this focus on practicality and utility trivialize the artistic potential of this technology?
Perhaps. While quantum computing undoubtedly offers significant potential for advancements in encryption and data security, my focus remains on the emotional and transcendent aspects of this technology. I find beauty in evoking transcendent emotion in ways that aren't necessarily practical or subject to rational examination.
- "We Felt A Star Dying" can be experienced at Kraftwerk Berlin until May 4th.
During her work on the installation "We Felt A Star Dying," Laure Prouvost found that the colossal scale of Kraftwerk Berlin stirred both excitement and challenge. She admitted that, despite her years of preparation, the sheer size of the former power station required an army of collaborators to execute her vision effectively.
In this project commemorating a century of quantum physics, Prouvost explores the impending Quantum Age and its relationship with her art. She believes that quantum physics, with its complex and enigmatic nature, mirrors the amalgamation of reality and fantasy that she seeks in her artistic expression. The non-existent, yet interconnected reality depicted by quantum systems fascinates Prouvost, likening it to the creative, inexplicable worlds she constructs in her art practice.
