UDO WID

EXHIBITION PROGRAM 1999

"A Synergy of Disciplines, BrainPrints"
Gallery
October 7 – November 18, 1999
 
 

Udo Wid, Secession 1999, Photo: Wolfgang Thaler
 
 
"Just like culture itself, everyone who lives in it has a quadruple split: what someone sees to be "true, beautiful and useful" generally does not converge, but belongs to the cultural fields that drifted apart as a result of divergent language games, forms of living and points of view: if you look for a logical and explanatory correspondence of facts and description in the sciences, then in the arts the objective is the perceptible coherence of an artifact. When philosophies and religions are based on evidence insights, then this often contrasts with the utility principle of everyday practice. The divergence of disciplines generally impedes. Conversely, the field of tension presents an opportunity that supplies energy and (new) information, when the specialized component personalities within one's own psyche find a synergy." (Udo Wid)
 
Udo Wid studied physics and worked in the area of biophysics in the research center at Seibersdorf; he was a guest lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts at Schillerplatz, studied cultural theory and was involved in projects devoted to everyday practice (IBA architecture group). By oscillating from one area to another Udo Wid was able to realize projects that belong to both biophysics and the fine arts. They are devoted to cultural theory just as much as they establish a connection to everyday practice. Udo Wid realized a work of research in which specific personality patterns can be revealed in an electroencephalogram (EEG).
 
The artist cooperates with interested exhibition visitors, who make extensive collections of data possible by acting as testpersons. The visitors lie down on a surface and have their brain waves measured and shunted with the aid of electrodes attached to their scalp. This complex computer-aided mathematical transformation produces pattern-like diagrams that can be reproduced rather like a fingerprint and that are unique to individual personalities. Udo Wid calls these diagrams BrainPrints. Science had not been able to demonstrate before this that specific personality traits could be demonstrated in a electroencephalogram. From this point of view, the BrainPrints represent a scientific innovation. As a form of graphic notation, however, they are also a kind of "inner portrait" that can be interpreted visually and as such belong within the framework of an exhibition project.
 
Throughout the duration of the exhibition Udo Wid will be living in the Secession's gallery space and is at the visitors' disposal round the clock. During regular opening hours the exhibition space is a laboratory, atelier, place of discussion and apartment all in one and is accessible both from main and side entrances and outside opening hours from the side entrance on the right.

 


 
A lecture is scheduled daily at 4 p.m. and will be followed by a discussion on the "synergy of disciplines". The project will be accompanied by a folder with a manifest by Udo Wid on the synergy of disciplines. This will be supplement by the scientific findings of the exhibition project during the course of the exhibition.


PUBLICATION

UDO WID 24 pages, 5 colored illustrations author: Udo Wid Secession 2000, ISBN 3-901926-16-X ___________________ available in the shop

 
 

ROMAN SIGNER   CLEMENS STECHER

EXHIBITION PROGRAM 1999

For further information and photographic material please contact:
 
Urte Schmitt-Ulms
Secession, Association of Visual Artists Vienna Secession
Friedrichstraße 12, 1010 Vienna
Tel: +43-1-5875307-21, Fax: +43-1-5875307-34
presse@secession.at