BEFORE THE DARK DARK MATTER SCIENTIFIC VIEW DARK MATTER ARTIST VIEW DARK MATTER EXPERTS UNDERSTANDING COMPLEXITY PLAYING WITH SENSES AND MATERIALITY TINKERING WITH DARK MATTER OMNIPRESENCE AFTER THE DARK Appendix 1/9 2/9
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Abstract
The research for Omnipresence explores the understanding of complex scientific phenomena, particularly dark matter, which is an invisible form of matter that holds our galaxy together: you can’t see it, but its effect on surrounding objects are quite obvious. The concept of dark matter appears as an apparent mismatch between the amount of matter assumed from the gravitational dragging forces exerted on ordinary astrophysical objects (stars, galaxies, etc.) and the (luminous) matter we can see with telescopes. Science plays an essential and omnipresent role in society and in our daily lives. This is due in part because it remains one of the most poorly understood areas of science, creating misconceptions and faux knowledge. In part because its complexity is a formidable barrier between the scientific community and wider audiences. Many scientific topics that are incredibly interesting but have complicated language and a lack of good visuals unintentionally restrict access for a general audience. Some people are willing to learn; curiosity can be awakened in others who don’t know what they like or are just skeptical by evoking a visual experience. Because there are different kinds of learning, and therefore understanding, a wide audience may require different types of stimuli. Media artists have tools to make science more understandable and attractive, to produce what most people don’t expect to see and to call attention to important concepts in science. Omnipresence aims to address these issues and improve access to understanding dark matter through the experience in the installation.