The brainchild of the late Peter Weibel, Renaissance 3.0 is his final exhibition. It defines a new era, in which scientists and artists are increasingly using the same tools, methods and ideas to complete their work. Renaissance 3.0 serves as a base camp for this increasing collaboration between the two disciplines. Furthermore, the works contained within it demonstrate the bridge that connects the Arab and Italian Renaissances of the past to the new, emerging art and media of the 21st century.
Peter Weibel, the creator behind the group exhibition, worked tirelessly before his passing on this show. A renowned Austrian artist, he was the CEO and Chairman at the ZKM in Karlsruhe since 1999. Aside from his position at the ZKM, Weibel possesses a fascinating portfolio of past works that demonstrate his passion for the interaction of science and art in the 21st century. For example, a collaboration book and exhibition, Iconoclash, explores recurring images in science, religion, and art throughout history.
The works featured in this new exhibition, on view until January 7, 2024 are exhilarating and unique, all relying on creative combinations of art, science, and technology. Visitors to the exhibition can explore a variety of installations, including the Wissensfeld, or knowledge base, featured in the centre of the exhibition. It allows visitors to physically select concepts, and thus experience and experiment with the collaboration between humans and machines.
Renaissance 3.0 includes thirty-five other fascinating installations from a variety of artists that dive into this new era in art. Take, for example, the biotechnical installation, Earthlink. Created by artist Saša Spačal, the piece combines nonhuman technology with biological materials, creating a sort of biotechnical biome. Visitors can unravel the relationship between humans and nature as they observe this ecological circular system. It’s almost as if the machine is breathing and creating life.
Another installation that may pique visitors’ interest is fluidum II, designed by artist Holger Förterer. It is an enthralling combination of fractal math, feedback systems, and simulations. Visitors can step into this work and find their shadow transformed into a masterpiece of fluidity. They’ll witness their shadow mirror water, wind, lava, clouds, and other natural phenomena right before their eyes, all generated by a unique algorithm 10 years in the making.
Spačal’s and Förterer’s works, among the other incredible artists featured in Renaissance 3.0, demonstrate the close interaction between science and art that becomes possible with the increasing shared usage of tools among artists and scientists.
Any visitors interested in observing how closely science and art can work together, despite their historical separation, should take time to interact with and observe all the incredible work displayed in this final exhibition from Peter Weibel. The exhibition will be open for viewing until January 7th, 2024, at the Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe (ZKM) in Germany.
