Nanomaterials /// Plasmatic

For Nanomaterials, Sadie Weis approaches the curious dialogue between scientific research and artistic investigation through the shared sense of wonder and quest for knowledge both subjects hold. In Weis’s multi-media creations, she simulates future-world-making through channels of fantastical science and crystal growth experimentation, often pairing scientific reality with imagination. Over a period of seven weeks, Weis has observed scientists at Paul-Drude-Institut working on the synthesis and physical characterization of crystals beyond those developed by nature.

Crystalline materials are obtained combining oxygen and metal atoms to create thin layers (at the nanometric scale) of oxides in a deposition process called Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE). In this process, the reaction of metal with an oxygen plasma results in the formation of a crystal structure where atoms are ordered in a regular lattice. Plasma is the fourth fundamental state of matter also known as ‘radiant matter’.

Inspired by the artist’s laboratory observations and insight gained through Nanomaterials her impressions about the formation of oxides in the MBE culminated into an exhibition entitled Plasmatic. The visual, holographic and sound installation experience can be viewed inside a historic aviation engine test stand. Accompanying work of drawings, paintings and observational notes will be exhibited at the Erwin-Schrödinger-Center and Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik. On November 10, the artist will present the progress of her work at Paul-Drude-Institut followed by a panel discussion with artists and science communicators on similarities and differences of the scientific and artistic approaches to understanding the world.

This process-based collaboration poses an ongoing question shared in the creator minds of both artist and scientists alike: ‘when working with these materials do you think you are a force stronger than the laws of nature’?

The Exhibition

Nanomaterials /// Plasmatic

The Plasmatic vernissage will occur on November 1, 2018 from 18-21 in the Humboldt University’s Adlershof Campus in the Motorenprüfstand Newtonstraße 16, Berlin-Adlershof

The Plasmatic hologram will be on view November 2-10, 2018 from 16-20 Humboldt University’s Adlershof Campus in the Motorenprüfstand Newtonstraße 16, Berlin-Adlershof

Accompanying work Nanomaterials can be visited November 1-30, from 9-20 , Saturday 11-18 Erwin-Schrödinger-Zentrum (Library hallway) Rudower Chaussee 26, Berlin-Adlershof

For updates check: http://www.pdi-berlin.de/outreach/events/nanomaterials-plasmatic/