“What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Recent scientific discoveries in astronomy, astrophysics and, more specifically,
modern cosmology are turning our understanding of reality on its head.
This research, which has a major impact not only on the entire scientific
community, but also on artists and philosophers, demonstrates that 95% of the
universe is invisible to the eye and to the most advanced observation devices.
This discovery, which is to say the least exciting, can only engender an
attitude of profound humility in the face of our limited knowledge of the
universe in which we live, while also raising some fundamental questions.
What is this invisible matter? What are the dark matter and dark energy that
make up the universe? In their complexity and depth, these two great questions
have inspired many artists and scientists and will be the subject of an
“invisible universe” event to be held at UNESCO headquarters in summer 2009.
The “Exploring the Invisible Universe” exhibit will be one of three components
of this event. According to the organizers, this exhibit will provide a broad
overview of the history of astronomy, physics and the importance of the
philosophical ideas and works of art that have fashioned the cultural landscape
over the last 400 years.
The intent behind this exhibit is to demonstrate how astronomy and, more
generally, modern science have converged toward a vision of our reality that is
essentially based on the invisible.
In our Western materialistic socio-cultural context, in which the definition and
value of reality are based almost exclusively on the notion of visible,
measurable matter, this is a revolutionary perspective.
But, who knows? Maybe this understanding of the invisible dimension of the
universe will teach us to once again see with the heart.
