Pai Litzenberger — Proteopoesie, oder: In kleinsten Wellen

In the organizer's words:

In a scenic tour, Pai Litzenberger introduces us to the artistic research on proteopoetry. Start: 7.30 pm

A world of dense, viscous water, almost unaffected by gravity. This is how the environment of biomolecules in the nanometer range (1 mm = 1,000,000 nm) can be described. With measuring instruments, we humans have created access to this otherwise invisible sphere. The tiniest electromagnetic waves, UV light, X-rays and electrons can sense molecular structures. They generate scientific images: encrypted, ghostly patterns. Simulations of the genetic code.

The exhibition "Proteopoesie, oder: In kleinsten Wellen" combines transmedia installation, poetry and bio-nanotechnology. The starting point is the poem "Feeling for Light" by Pai Litzenberger, which was written exclusively with letters representing amino acids. It reflects the sensual isolation of a DNA origami spirit that wishes to be able to perceive its surroundings. The poem serves as a code for a fictitious de novo protein that enables the mind to perceive light.

In extensive artistic research, Pai Litzenberger has appropriated tools from scientific research into proteins and DNA. Using mainly computer-based and partly AI-supported programs, imaginative creatures were created. DNA becomes a mind, protein becomes a thought: fragile, temporary, transformative.

Many thanks to Dr. Jan Gebauer (University of Cologne), Dr. Clara Schoeder and team (University of Leipzig) and Julia Hann and Mathis Janßen (Fraunhofer ENAS, Chemnitz University of Technology).