The invention of the aquarium by self-taught natural scientist Jeanne Villepreux-Power (1794-1871) made the mysterious underwater worlds observable and brought the sea into the bourgeois living room. For the interdisciplinary exhibition ‘POWER CAGE’, fifteen artists were inspired by this groundbreaking invention. They approach the work of the marine biologist Villepreux-Power with sounding aquariums, imaginary underwater worlds, experimental showcases, flickering video wonder chambers, sound sculptures, artificial biospheres and a walk-in Nautilus installation. The exhibition can be seen from 22 November to 07 December 2019 at the STATE Studio in Berlin-Schöneberg with free admission (gallery closed on 6 December).
With Sandra Babing, Sabine Ercklentz, Christina Ertl-Shirley, Katharina Ludwig, Uta Neumann, Felicity Mangan, Ioana Vreme Moser, Mira O‘Brien, Claudia Reiche, Billy Roisz, Tomoko Sauvage, Anouschka Trocker, Antje Vowinckel und Mara Wagenführ and Ruth Waldeyer.
In addition, the public can become researchers themselves in several workshops on biosphere construction, cyanotype photography and the drawing of crustaceans. On a lecture evening moderated by Jutta Person, the author Mareike Vennen will shed light on the cultural history of aquariums and art historian Silke Förschler will investigate the fascinating history of the Nautilus (with public discussion).
Funded by the Hauptstadtkulturfonds.
POWER CAGE – Experimentalraum Aquarium
Friday, 22nd November to Saturday, 7th December 2019 | Free Admission
STATE Studio | Hauptstr. 3 | 10827 Berlin
Photo © Billy Roisz
