- V8skan at the Nobel Museum, ongoing since 2015
The project, which was specifically conceived for the Nobel Museum in Stockholm, focuses on eight laureates in chemistry, physics, medicine, economics, and literature 1927-2009. The work draws inspiration from popular science and board games in order to suggest a new interface for visits to the museum and novel ways to discover the Nobel laureates’ discoveries and philosophies. The project is made up of eight specially designed briefcases that offer a starting point for a collaborative process. Each briefcase has been created for a group of 2-6 people and the visitor can choose which laureate to work with based on their personal interests. Together the members of group develop thoughts and discussions with the starting point in a given laureate and his/her universe.
With V8skan Hüttner continues his research into how performance art can revitalise academic and scientific representation and gives the audience the opportunity to participate in artistic and scientific performance. Events have been created onsite with Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffmann and offsite at Hallwylska Museet.
Henri Bergson, Literature, 1927.
Inside the briefcase there are two scrolls. One scroll is in English and the other in Swedish. The group reads the scroll from left to right and together they discuss a series of questions. Each question is connected to a text that gives hints to open the discussions.
All of Henri’s work is born out of a desire to re-connect two big and very complex aspects of human life: our consciousness on the one hand and the material world on the other. Many of the questions reflect on the passing of time.
Werner Heisenberg, Physics 1932 (with the help of Alice.)
There are 14 cards inside the briefcase. Half of them are red and the other half are blue. On each red card there is a short story followed by a question. On the corresponding blue cards there are hints to help you find the answers. One person gets to wear a quantum armband and this person gets the blue card. When the group feels that it needs hints, the person wearing the armband can enter the Quantum realm. To do so, the person takes a swig of water from the ‘drink me’ bottle. Serve the contents in the small glasses provided. When the person is in the Quantum realm, he or she can look at the card.
John c. Eccles, Medicine, 1963
Humans are capable of performing extraordinarily complex tasks. Some of these involve our hands, arms and legs. But no matter what we do, the brain controls and coordinates these tasks. The involuntary actions like breathing, heartbeat and digestion are controlled by the brain stem. But how does brain carry out difficult mathematical calculations, appreciate poetry or create experimental noise music? With the help of the suitcase the group will together reflect on how the brain functions.
Samuel Beckett, Literature 1969.
Inside the briefcase there is a wheel of fortune and circular papers that fit into the wheel. The group uses these to produce new poems based on Samuel’s poetry. First they place a paper wheel inside the wheel of fortune and then spin the wheel. They write the phrase that is indicated where the wheel stops. They keep spinning the wheel until the page is full, or when they are happy with the poem.
When the group spins the wheel, they can chance upon an exercise as well. These focus Samuel’s work for the theatre.
Ilya Prigogine, Chemistry, 1977
Inside the briefcase there is a scroll. The group reads the scroll from left to right and they will gradually unroll the scroll until they get to the end. Each question is connected to a text that gives hints and enables discussions. Many questions reflect on the arrow of time, irreversible processes and man’s relationship to nature. But more than anything they allow you to reflect on how difficult it is to truly understand what time is and how both natural and illusive it is.
Elinor Ostrom, Economy 2009
Inside the briefcase there are a selection of cards. On each card there is a short story about Elinor, about other Nobel laureates or about issues related to commons/common property. Each story is followed by a question or a series of questions that the group can discuss together. After each discussion, the group should decide to put the card in the box they find most suitable: Private, Community commons or Global commons.
The concept for V8skan was developed by artist Per Hüttner in collaboration with the Turkish curator Fatos Üstek. A special thank you to Roald Hoffmann, Guiseppe Scaramella, A mi-bois and Marie Proyart. V8skan has been supported by Stockholm County Council, Längmanska kulturfonden, Linköpings universitet and Stockholm stad.
