About Microbes, Stones and Orbits – Thoughts on Haptic Knowledge, Circulating Narratives, and Transitions Between the Organic and the Inorganic

Abstract

Where are the boundaries between living and dead matter? This evening of performance, artist-curator conversation, and lecture explored experiences and narratives between the organic and the inorganic associated with artifacts, natural objects, and the interior of our own bodies. Artist Arthur Debert presented his work »Orbits,« a workshop conducted with a series of sculptures collected for the sole purpose of being passed from hand to hand. Curator and art historian Nina Samuel talked with artist Lena Dues about the processual nature of stones and how knowledge emerges from touch. Curator Carola Uehlken's talk »Microbes at Court« drawed attention to the microorganisms that govern our bodies from the inside out. The evening raised the big questions of where science and art can meet to develop a different understanding of what material is bad or good, object or subject, created or creating.

Program

5:00 pm Arthur Debert: Orbits
5:45 pm Nina Samuel in conversation with Lena Dues: Stones as Processes
6:30 pm Carola Uehlken: Microbes at Court

MoA | Exhibition at TA T

The exhibition Stretching Materialities. Hidden Activities in Objects and Spaces at Tieranatomisches Theater (TA T) was curated by multidisciplinary scientists and designers of the project Object Space Agency of the Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity« of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

The exhibition was open from September 17, 2021, to March 4, 2022, Mon–Fri from 2–6 pm.