Lighten Up! On Biology and Time

The new exhibition of EPFL Pavilions, Lighten Up! On Biology and Time uses the lens of art to explore the connection of living organisms with the natural cycle of light and dark, showcasing the works of renowned artists and architects such as Olafur Eliasson, James Carpenter, Liliane Lijn or Colin Fournier. Nineteen installations transform daily, lunar or seasonal rhythms into light- and sound-scapes, immersive spaces or virtual experiences. They highlight the urgency of reconnecting to the outdoor environment and remind us of that regular light exposure is necessary for health.

All living organisms have internalised the alternation between day and night and changing daylength with seasons in the form of circadian rhythms that optimally prepare the body for the right behaviour at the right time. Being exposed to enough bright light at the appropriate time of day can significantly boost our immune system, ensure sleep quality, daytime alertness and mood, and determine our overall well-being.

Through a striking variety of forms and experiences, Lighten Up! On Biology and Time employs art to explore our connection to light and the crucial role of circadian rhythms. These artworks celebrate the power and beauty of daylight, introduce us to the secrets of biological clocks, offer alternative representations of time, or probe the mysteries of sleep and dreams.

The exhibition was curated by Prof. em. Anna Wirz-Justice (Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel), Prof. Marilyne Andersen (Director of EPFL’s Laboratory of Integrated Performance in Design, LIPID), Prof. Sarah Kenderdine (Director and lead-curator of EPFL Pavilions, and director of EPFL’s Laboratory for Experimental Museology, eM+) and Dr. Giulia Bini (Curator and head of EPFL-CDH AiR Program “Enter the Hyper-Scientific”), and produced by EPFL Pavilions. 

Artists
Marilyne Andersen et al., Siegrun Appelt with Constanze Müller, Kirell Benzi, Alan Bogana, James Carpenter, Rafael Gil Cordeiro, Olafur Eliasson, Colin Fournier, Andreas Horlitz, Ted Hunt, Liliane Lijn, Robin Meier Wiratunga with André Gwerder and Guy Amichay, Susan Morris, Anne Noble with Guy Warman, Anna Ridler, Helga Schmid, Anna Wirz-Justice et al.