Project: The Blackest BLACK ARTWORK

“This is a very striking collaborative between the hard edge word of science and the world of conceptual art.The project has, a distance still to travel, I believe, but is it is already a vehicle for the exchange and development of ideas both at philosophical level and potentially for developing practical applications.The project has already had recognition and the artist is currently working with NASA on conceptual art works - perhaps with this project I think its 'watch this space' to see how it develops.”
Jury Member: Sandra Gunn, Sandra Gunn, Curriculum Director of the City of Glasgow College, Great Britain

“A very pensive description of the value as well as the difficulties when two very different worlds meet. Through mutual respect, common reflection and determination two fields of expertise can create exceptional results and future possibilities.”
Jury Member: Ann-Britt Carlsson, Officer of Development, Västarvet, Västra Götalandsregionen, Sweden

Describe your collaborative partnership

A key factor for success in innovation is the 'right' balance between art and science. Sustainable innovation is about innovative partnerships. Partnerships between different sectors. Art and design can play lead roles as catalysts to trigger innovation and to build bridges between the different sectors.
In collaboration with Prof. P.M.Ajayan and his lab, the artist Frederik De Wilde (BE) conceptualized the most ultra black artwork. The inspiration came from earlier collaborations with scientists, observing nature, but also from two particular quotes. Anish Kapoor once said that: «A work will only have deep resonance if the kind of darkness I can generate is something that is resident in me already», and Yves Klein denoted once that his first artwork was the blue sky. Frederik claims outer space, this vast, dark and unknown territory as his first artwork. The artwork is the first of his kind and introduced nano painting for the first time in art history.
The second aim was to construct an artwork capable to render all spectra of light -visible and the invisible domain- into thermal energy, hence electricity. Exploring these exceptional properties of the nano engineered ultra black material could create art -for instance installed in public space- that can harvest energy. Recent developments in the Rice Lab (creation of the smallest battery in the world inside a nano wire) render this goal more realistic as we speak. The artist currently continues his research with Rice University, NASA and the University Hasselt.

Provide evidence of your success

• Studio / Agency: www.frederik-de-wilde.com
• Client: www.rice.edu
• Presentation:  The Blackest BLACK ARTWORK (52.62 MB)