Artist-in-residence Niamh Schmidtke will premiere a glimpse of their work-in-progress discovering the Mineralogical Collections at TU Berlin.

This is a FREE EVENT. Registration is not required.

The exhibition opening takes place in the UNI_VERSUM exhibition space on the ground floor of the main building of the TU Berlin. Keep left behind the main entrance until you reach the UNI_VERSUM exhibition space on the left hand side.

Join us for an inspiring glimpse into the evolving artistic journey of Niamh Schmidtke, artist-in-residence at Science Gallery Berlin’s EARTH WATER SKY program at TU Berlin. This work-in-progress exhibition is a heartfelt tribute to mineral collections and its custodians – revealing their role in science, their curatorial practice, and the inherent value of minerals.

Niamh's work-in-progress showcases the intersection of art and science: taking another angle on minerals in photographs, display cabinets and audio pieces, they offer a unique perspective on Earth's treasures. The exhibition is complemented by individual perspectives of international students on “How to pull blood from a stone” – a workshop taught by Niamh. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to witness the unfolding of a remarkable collaboration.

The work-in-progress exhibition can be visited from Monday - Friday from 11:00 – 15:00 until November 30, 2023. The final exhibition concluding the EARTH residency will be in May/June 2024.

Artist Niamh Schmidtke, mineralogist Dr. Johannes Giebel, and Science Gallery Berlin’s Dr. Michael Fowler will discuss the rich intersections of science and art.

The event is free. Registration is not required. The discussion will be in English.

Join us for an engaging panel discussion that explores the rich intersections of science and art. Our panelists from TU Berlin, Niamh Schmidtke, artist-in-residence with the EARTH WATER SKY program*, Dr. Johannes Giebel, custodian of the Mineral Collections, and Dr. Michael Fowler, an advocate and facilitator of art-science projects at Science Gallery, have collaborated over the past year and will reflect on this emerging field.

Beginning with the multifaceted world of minerals, geoscience, scientific inquiry, and artistic expression, we will discuss knowledge practices, methods, and intriguing intersections within the domains of science and art. Delve with us into the nuanced differences between implicit and explicit knowledge and their applications in both fields. Explore the concept of (deep) time and its profound significance for both science and art. Our discussion will also question where the limitations of knowledge and practice in science and art lie, while uncovering the influence of narratives and meta-narratives in these disciplines.

Finally, gain insights into the motivations that drive individuals to engage in science-art collaborations. Join us on this intellectual journey as we bridge the worlds of science and art, unravelling the mysteries of knowledge, creativity, and collaboration. 

Following this conversation, please join us as we open the Science Gallery Berlin’s work-in-progress exhibition “Ode to Mineralogy” in the UNI_VERSUM exhibition space at TU Berlin.

* The art and environmental sciences research residency program EARTH WATER SKY is curated by Ariane Koek and funded by the Fondation Didier et Martine Primat.