IN SUMMARY
« The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible »
Albert Einstein
Of course the earth is round! But is space curved? Does time really exist? What should we
believe? How can we sift through the avalanche of scientific information? The Museum of
Natural History of Neuchâtel presents a new temporary exhibition dedicated to the methods
and limits of science and to the distinction between knowledge and belief. The visitor puts
himself in the shoes of the scientist and performs experiments himself.
Toward an understanding of science
Holy science! What exactly is the difference between what we believe and what we know?
Wander down a surprising path that winds through the world of science and explore the
relationships that the public and scientists share with this world. The journey is illustrated
by examples taken from various disciplines: the natural sciences, mathematics, geometry,
physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, medicine…The exhibition highlights the importance
of the principles of science, demonstrates their limits and explores the realm that lies beyond
scientific validation. Encouraging critical thought and inviting doubt, it exposes the ubiquity
of the public’s superstitions but also reveals that scientists themselves are not necessarily
beyond superstition…
A journey between certainty and doubt
Cast straightaway into a strange world, the visitor is encouraged to develop an awareness
of himself and the world that surrounds him. Science is born from this awareness and is
constructed piece by piece, according to the rigorous methods outlined in the scientific
“commandments”. The visitor is invited to put himself in the shoes of a scientist, to perform
experiments himself, and to trace his own voyage between knowledge, superstition and
belief. The invitation is, in fact, to explore the very limits of knowledge.
Is making science accessible to the general public a safe bet?
An original scenography, including multiple technological and artistic presentations, several
original films and a number of interactive displays, makes the exhibition accessible and
intriguing for the general public.
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THE GUIDING THREAD
Where we discover…
Plunged into darkness, the visitor discovers and experiments with a new environment. A ray of light reacts to the visitor’s presence, sounds are produced
and shapes appear. The interactive installation Blue Yeti (Royan) surrounds the
visitor in a strange virtual world and encourages him to develop an awareness
of himself and the world that surrounds him.
Where we observe…
A pendulum oscillates gently. Its movement is fascinating but mysterious; to
understand it, science and its tools are indispensable. Foucault’s pendulum
demonstrates that the earth turns but also that science is a direct extension
of man’s innate curiosity about his environment. Installed by the International
Museum of Horology in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the action of the pendulum reveals
the relationship between cause and effect and speaks of its connection to the
world and to the universe.
Where we measure…
Does science allow us to dig into the mysteries of the world? It certainly does but only after we master its principles and tools. The scientific commandments
prevail; some of the key words include observation, hypothesis, experimentation, parsimony, simplicity and refutable arguments. Once the framework of
the scientific process is explained, the visitor is introduced to the necessity of
universal units of measurement; these, in turn, allow the comparison of results
and thus foment debate. Such debates can lead us toward different questions:
“How can we quantify light?” or “What is energy?” or even “Does it make sense
for us to tell time?”…Measuring the world becomes possible.
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Where we verify…
In a classroom setting, ingenious displays invite the visitor to experiment, play
and dare to interpret results. Interactivity, once again, allows us to use a simple
approach to explore an intriguing array of phenomena – gravity, magnetic fields,
and the polarization of light. It also allows us to use play to discover the different
domains of science – mathematics, physics, biology. The visitor turns a handle,
rolls the dice, plays the guitar, swings a pendulum, uses a timer, observes…and
finds himself in the shoes of a scientist.
Where we are suspicious…
In the face of too much data and the rigidity of science, pop culture reacts.
Leaning against the table in a local café, the visitor listens to a fictitious television
show “Postures and imposters”, a series of original sketches created by REC
Production featuring the actor Philippe Vuilleumier. The show illustrates several
scientific controversies, which are further discussed in newspapers featured as
part of the exhibition. Without conscience, rife with error, or at the mercy of
political and economic interests, science loses credibility and generates suspicion.
Indignation and debate ensues...
Where we disobey…
Behind the closed doors of our private lives, superstition is often king. We ignore
the rigors of science and give free reign to our beliefs. Essential oils, homeopathy,
functional foods, magnetism and good-luck charms… In an intimate setting
under the stare of a black cat, the visitor navigates between science and belief
and has the opportunity to compare himself to others by participating in a test.
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Where we distinguish…
Finally, doubt appears as a means of resistance, a barrier against the stream of
superstitions and the all-powerful nature of science. Testimonials, experiences,
and explanations abound. Here, phonies are exposed by illusionists, the
wonders of every day are dulled by scientific explanations, and beliefs are laid
bare by scientific theories. Man finds himself face-to-face with the limits of his
knowledge.
Epilogue
How can we understand exactly what we know when personal beliefs obscure
the truth and knowledge alters reality?
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IN BRIEF...
EXHIBITION
NOT INCLUDED IN THE LEASE
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Surface area 150 - 400 m2.
More than 30 interactive experiments.
1 comprarative test for examining beliefs.
1 interactive installation interactive created
by « Blue Yeti ».
• 10 films.
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INCLUDED IN THE LEASE
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
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• The layout of your exhibition hall.
• 30 m2 of storage space.
• A technical team for set-up and disassembly (3people/3
days).
Texts (French and German), furniture, modules.
Films and author rights (for the duration of the exhibition).
Layout for the creation of flyers, posters, etc.
Educational material related to the exhibition.
Set-up of the exhibition (one person/3-4 days).
Disassembly of exhibition (one person/2-3 days).
Transport of the exhibition (round-trip).
Reinstallation of the installation by « Blue Yeti ».
Insurance.
PRICE
• 25’000-40’000 Euros for six months, depending on the
themes presented
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OUR EXHIBITIONS TRAVEL WELL!
The itinerant exhibitions from the Museum of Natural History of Neuchâtel are characterized by
their flexibility and modularity. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information!
Some examples of our itinerant exhibitions:
Sacrée Science (“Sacred Science”)
Kulturama, Museum of Mankind, Zürich, 2013-2014
K2 1902. Partie d’échecs en Himalaya (“K2, 1902. Chess in the Himalayas”)
Alpine museum, Bern, 2014
Mouches (“Flies”)
National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg, 2006-2007
National Museum of Natural History, Paris, 2007 Natural History Museum of Basel, 2008-2009 Natural History Museum of Nantes, 2010
Parce queue (“Tails and Tales”)
Museum-Aquarium of Nancy, 2012
Science Center, Rennes, 2013-2014
CONTACT
Yannick Soller
Coordinator for Itinerant Exhibitions
Museum of Natural History
Rue des Terreaux 14
2000 Neuchâtel
Switzerland
Christophe Dufour
Curator/ Director
Museum of Natural History
Rue des Terreaux 14
2000 Neuchâtel
Switzerland
[email protected]
Tél. +41 (0)32 717 79 64
Fax +41 (0)32 717 79 69
www.museum-neuchatel.ch
[email protected]
Tél. +41 (0)32 717 79 61
Fax +41 (0)32 717 79 69
www.museum-neuchatel.ch