"V.I.T.R.I.O.L, the forms of the invisible"

Between art, materials science, archaeology, ceramics, anthropology, from the 11th century to our contemporary world, this exhibition highlights in seven stages the operational chains that connect artifacts to humans, like an initiatory journey.

The exhibition is designed as a process of crossing, both archaeological, scientific, and sensitive. Inspired by the alchemical acronym, the scenography unfolds in seven sequences that correspond to the stages of a descent into matter and time, a descent into the underground worlds similar to Dante's descent into Hell in his Divine Comedy. The pathway creates a tension between excavation and laboratory, archive and creation, medieval past and present, making memory not a fixed state but an active process of metamorphosis, the metamorphosis of the object and the subject, namely the spectator. "V.I.T.R.I.O.L, the forms of the invisible" explores the layers of memory, considered as a living process, like a field of forces traversed by dominant narratives, organized forgetfulness, and symbolic violence.

The visual artist Sophie Moraine, who initiated this project, wanted the participation of diverse audiences to create the works presented: staff from the CRISMAT (ENSICAEN, UNICAEN, CNRS) and CRAHAM (UNICAEN, CNRS) laboratories, the University of Caen, ENSI Caen, as well as the young generation from Normandy (students from Giel Don Bosco high school in Orne, students from René Lemière primary school, students from Jean Rostand high school in Caen).

Practical Information:

Open to all

Free

Contact

Cooperation France / Ireland

Partnerships: University of Caen, ENSICAEN, CNRS chemistry, city of Caen, CRISMAT laboratory, CRAHAM laboratory, DRAC Normandie, Lemiere school (Caen), Giel Don Bosco high school (Orne), Jean Rostand high school (Caen), National Museum of Ireland