(UN)REAL IN ERASMUS MC ROTTERDAM

The first exhibition of Science Gallery Rotterdam, (UN)REAL, has opened in the public space of Erasmus Medical Center (MC) in Rotterdam. Due to safety measures relating to the new coronavirus, all events, including the opening reception, have been cancelled. The exhibition can be viewed online on rotterdam.sciencegallery.com/unreal. 

(UN)REAL from the scientific research of Erasmus MC. The artworks investigate how science and art influence our idea of what is 'real' and what is 'unreal'. The theme of this exhibition has been brought up by young people from Rotterdam during workshops with researchers and artists. This led to an open call on the platform of Science Gallery International, to which 262 entries were received. Under the direction of guest-curator William Myers, author of the books 'Bio-Art' and 'Bio-Design' (Thames & Hudson), 16 artists were invited to participate in the exhibition, including Joep van Lieshout (NL) and Charlotte Jarvis (UK ), both of whom were represented at the Venice Biennale. 

“When the restrictive measures came into effect, the contributions of artists and scientists were already on their way to Erasmus MC,” says Fred Balvert, project leader of Science Gallery Rotterdam. “That's why we built up the exhibition anyway. We are now focusing on an optimal online presentation, to which we regularly add new materials, such as video impressions and virtual school excursions. We are also investigating whether we will extend the duration of the exhibition for a couple of months.” 

The artworks are arranged along a route that runs from the bridge at the entrance of the Erasmus MC at the Museumpark to the Main Entrance. As long as the restrictive measures last, the exhibition can be visited online at rotterdam.sciencegallery.com/unreal. 

Because the exhibition is located in public space, employees and visitors of Erasmus MC can also see the works of art in real life. Appropriate measures have been taken for this, such as social distancing and replacing headphones with speakers. 

(UN)REAL, Erasmus MC, Passage Balustrade, 3 April - 1 July 2020
The Science Gallery Network consists of eight leading universities around the world are commited around a mission: to ignite creativity and discovery where science and art collide. See https://sciencegallery.org/.