Where does science end and art begin, and vice versa? This is the question posed to visitors by the new exhibition Reflections, which brings together the works of four leading Czech and Polish artists, scientific perspectives on their artworks and new works inspired by these scientific analyses. Science turns its gaze to art, which returns it, and the cycle of inspiration unfolds.
Scientific analysis routinely helps us determine the age, mode of creation, authenticity, or condition of works of art. In addition, the artistic sphere has long been inspired by scientific ideas, and examples of this reflection can be found all the way from Leonardo da Vinci and his predecessors to M.C. Escher and finally contemporary artists. The new exhibition Reflections in the foyer of the SOLID21 building at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic presents this fascinating mutual reflection through examples of paintings and mosaics by leading contemporary Czech and Polish artists who have not only kindly lent their works to the Institute, but also created new works inspired by scientific analyses of the original mosaics and paintings. Thus, the exhibition offers the opportunity to see not only this chain of inspiration, but also, during planned excursions, samples of the exhibited works under a light microscope.
The artistic curator of the exhibition, Pavla Bauerová (FZU and ITAM CAS), analyzed samples of paintings and mosaics under optical and electron microscopes. Selected images are displayed in the foyer together with the original works, and on the exhibition website it is possible to view more detailed studies of the individual works – samples with layers of paint and sketches, elemental maps and more. At the opening reception on Tuesday, October 22, visitors were able to learn more about this rare concept and the inspiration behind each work as described by the artists involved.
The works were lent to the exhibition by Łukasz Huculak, Sylwia Svorová Pawelkowicz, Magdalena Kracík Štorkánová and Zdeněk Dudek. Łukasz Huculak is a leading Polish painter, curator and author of texts on art, whose paintings often reflect scientific elements, from fossil finds to archaeological discoveries to observations of the universe. Sylwia Svorová Pawelkowicz is dedicated is a painter and a researcher, curator and art restorer. She specializes in pigment identification using optical and electron microscopy. In 2016, she discovered a rare yellow pigment – vanadinite Pb5(VO4)3Cl - used in the decoration of a church in Chotkow (now Poland).
Magdalena Kracík Štorkánová, the author of the mosaic figurine The Key to the Golden Cage, is engaged in the art of mosaic: creation, restoration, design, promotion and teaching. In 2012, she founded the Art and Craft Mozaika z.s. organization, bringing together artists, restorers, historians, scientists and mosaic enthusiasts. Zdeněk Dudek also creates art mosaics. In 1968 he created two important mosaic sculptures – one in front of the Alessandria Hotel in Hradec Králové, the other at the Skalní Město Hotel in Prachovské skály. Shortly afterwards, his protest against the Soviet occupation resulted in his leaving the Czechoslovak Union of Visual Artists. After returning to art, he exhibited in many Czech and foreign galleries.
After the spring exhibition of paintings by nuclear physicist and painter Alice Valkárová, Reflections are another contribution to the lively dialogue between science and art, which can help them inspire each other and bring scientific work closer to the general public. Schools and the public can view the exhibition during the Open Days from Thursday 7 November to Saturday 9 November. Guided tours for interested groups are also possible on other days by prior arrangement.
The creation of the exhibition was supported by the Czech Academy of Sciences’ grant. The same CAS grant has also enabled the creation of the educational comic book “Secrets of the Nanoworld”, a sample of which will be presented soon.