New Scientist recommends Wolfgang Tillmans’s new exhibition in Paris

If you are planning a trip to Paris, make sure to visit the Pompidou Centre to experience Wolfgang Tillmans’s thought-provoking exhibition titled Nothing Could Have Prepared Us – Everything Could Have Prepared Us before it undergoes a long refurbishment.

The exhibition, running until 22 September, showcases the artist’s exploration of various scientific disciplines, from neuroscience to astronomy. Housed in the Public Information Library, the exhibit engages with its surroundings to prompt contemplation on the essence of knowledge.

One of the highlights of the installation is the Truth Study Centre, which delves into the formation of worldviews. By juxtaposing excerpts from research papers on the brain’s response to deception with snippets of propaganda from newspapers, Tillmans challenges viewers to reflect on the construction of truths.

Through his photographs of turbulent seas and the industrial emissions of data centers, Tillmans also sheds light on humanity’s interconnectedness with natural systems. The exhibition serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent climate crisis and our collective responsibility towards environmental stewardship.