WE FELT A STAR DYING 2025. Installation view at Kraftwerk Berlin by Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
Over two years, Laure Prouvost immersed herself in research, collaborating closely with philosopher Tobias Rees and scientist Hartmut Neven from Google Quantum AI. This collaboration granted her rare access to a quantum computer, an experience that profoundly influenced the creation of the artworks on display. Reflecting on this transformative period, Prouvost described it as a "wonderful, crazy experience of mental exercises, gatherings, and conversations to shift from Newtonian habits to a quantum reality".
WE FELT A STAR DYING 2025. Installation view at Kraftwerk Berlin by Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
To fully appreciate the conceptual underpinnings of Prouvost's exhibition, a basic understanding of quantum technology is helpful. Quantum physics explores the realm of matter and energy at the smallest scales, where the familiar laws of classical physics no longer apply. In the world of quantum computing, the fundamental unit of information is the qubit. Unlike classical bits, which can represent either a 0 or a 1, qubits can exist in a state of superposition, meaning they can be both 0 and 1 simultaneously. This ability allows quantum computers to perform many calculations in parallel, offering the potential to solve problems far beyond the capabilities of even the most powerful conventional computers.
Another key quantum phenomenon is entanglement, where two or more quantum particles become linked in such a way that they share the same quantum state, regardless of the distance between them. These principles have the potential to revolutionize various fields, including drug discovery, materials science, cryptography, and financial modeling.
Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
Laure Prouvost, a celebrated French artist renowned for her immersive and playful installations that often delve into themes of language, perception, and the nature of reality, has once again captivated audiences with her latest exhibition, "WE FELT A STAR DYING." Presented by LAS Art Foundation at the iconic Kraftwerk Berlin from 21 February to 4 May 2025, this newly commissioned work embarks on a unique journey, bridging the seemingly disparate worlds of contemporary art and the cutting-edge field of quantum physics.
WE FELT A STAR DYING 2025. Installation view at Kraftwerk Berlin by Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
Entering the exhibition, visitors engage with "The Beginning," a large kinetic sculpture featuring six petal-like limbs that gently expand and contract from a central core. This fragile and sometimes unpredictable sculpture stands in stark contrast to the industrial machinery that once defined Kraftwerk Berlin. Prouvost envisions "The Beginning" as a "quantum presence" that has always existed yet remains often unseen, representing the interconnectedness of everything and everyone.
While Prouvost's artistic background doesn't lie within the sciences, her previous works demonstrate a recurring fascination with pushing beyond conventional boundaries and grappling with complex ideas, exploring themes of kinship, migration, and the intricate relationships between species. The collaboration with leading experts in quantum computing underscores a growing synergy between the art world and advanced scientific research, suggesting a shared desire to explore novel perspectives on the very fabric of reality.
WE FELT A STAR DYING 2025. Installation view at Kraftwerk Berlin by Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
The sculpture's cylindrical core, encircled by tangled threads, alludes to the delicate components found within superconducting quantum computers. A heat-sensitive cushion embedded within the core visually reveals changes in thermal energy on the sculpture's surface, underscoring the impact of environmental factors on quantum systems.
Among the featured pieces is the central video installation, also titled "We Felt a Star Dying" (2025), which guides viewers through a journey across various scales of reality, from the microscopic to the cosmic, revealing quantum principles as a fundamental characteristic of all matter. The video seamlessly blends footage from diverse sources, including microscopic, drone, and thermal imaging, alongside the ethereal movements of acrobats filmed beneath glass to evoke a sense of weightlessness.
WE FELT A STAR DYING 2025. Installation view at Kraftwerk Berlin by Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
"WE FELT A STAR DYING" unfolds as a multi-sensory realm, spanning the vast 3,500 square meters of Kraftwerk Berlin. The exhibition unfolds as an immersive environment encompassing a video installation developed with the aid of a quantum computer alongside carefully orchestrated soundscapes, evocative scents, and intriguing sculptural elements. These diverse components are intricately designed to resonate with the inherently unpredictable nature of quantum logic and the delicate sensitivity of quantum computers.
The accompanying soundtrack features soft breathing, sharp sonic punctuations, and music by KUKII, who employed a custom quantum AI model to process recordings of devotional singing traditions. Notably, the video incorporates segments generated through an experiment utilizing data from a quantum computer, where quantum noise was intentionally used to alter images. The random shifts between Prouvost's original edit and the version produced by the quantum AI model serve as a visual metaphor for the fluctuating states of particles in the quantum realm.
WE FELT A STAR DYING (Cute Bit) 2025. Installation view at Kraftwerk Berlin by Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
Scattered throughout the exhibition space are suspended sculptures titled "Cute Bits", a playful nod to "qubits," the fundamental units of information in quantum computing. Prouvost conceived these sculptures around the concept of quantum entanglement, a phenomenon where particles become linked regardless of the distance separating them. The synchronized movements of the sculptures visually represent this interconnectedness, one mirroring the other. Composed of elements that evoke both cosmic and earthly realms, the "Cute Bits" highlight the intrinsic connection between these seemingly disparate domains.
WE FELT A STAR DYING (Cute Bit) 2025. Installation view at Kraftwerk Berlin by Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
Visitors are invited to immerse themselves within these sculptures to experience metallic and mineral scents, accompanied by whispered voices poetically describing quantum phenomena and the ceaseless motion of molecules and particles.
WE FELT A STAR DYING, 2025, video still by Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
Prouvost's "WE FELT A STAR DYING" marks the inauguration of LAS Art Foundation's "Sensing Quantum" program, a dedicated initiative that will extend through 2026 and include further installations, a public symposium, and a publication. This program signifies a sustained commitment to exploring the artistic potential and societal implications of quantum technologies, establishing LAS as a key player in this emerging field.
WE FELT A STAR DYING (Cute Bit) 2025. Installation view at Kraftwerk Berlin by Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
In "WE FELT A STAR DYING," Prouvost's artworks subtly reference these concepts. The "Cute Bits" sculptures embody the idea of entanglement through their synchronized movements, while the video installation visually represents the probabilistic nature of quantum states through its random shifts influenced by quantum noise.
WE FELT A STAR DYING (Cute Bit) 2025. Installation view at Kraftwerk Berlin by Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
Prouvost's unique artistic language appears to have successfully bridged the gap between the intricacies of quantum physics and the realm of artistic experience. As quantum technology continues to develop, artists like Prouvost play a vital role as early interpreters and communicators of this potentially transformative field for the wider public.
WE FELT A STAR DYING (Cute Bit) 2025. Installation view at Kraftwerk Berlin by Laure ProuvostLAS Art Foundation
Laure Prouvost's "WE FELT A STAR DYING" stands as a remarkable example of the innovative possibilities that arise when art engages with the forefront of scientific discovery. The exhibition not only offers a captivating and immersive experience but also serves as a crucial bridge, interpreting the complex world of quantum technology for a general audience. This collaboration between an artist, scientific experts, and an art foundation dedicated to technological innovation exemplifies a growing trend towards interdisciplinary approaches, potentially leading to profound new ways of understanding and engaging with the intricate realities that shape our world.
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