Carbon Memories, a solo exhibition by Kristina Pulejkova

About

Ni Museum of Contemporary Art Skopje presents London-based Macedonian artist Kristina Pulejkova in a first major solo exhibition in Macedonia. In the exhibition Carbon memories, Pulejkova examines the possibility of atomic memory and its potential to influence the future of human evolution. The displayed works aim to cast light on the central question: whether the carbon atom, which is contained in all terrestrial life forms, can contain data or memory of all its previous states?

 In 1959 Theoretical physicist and Nobel Prize laureate Richard Feynman proposed a theory of atomic memory. Feynman states that with time and technology advances, human kind will be able to store data on an atomic level. 

Forty-three years later, a research shows the beginnings of atomic memory that stores a bit by the presence or absence of one silicon atom.  As such technological advances influence the progress of humans, this research asks whether we can in time learn to read the data stored in a single atom. From a sustainable point of view, this knowledge will help towards building biological data storage units that will coexist with nature systems, yet still adapt human kind’s ever growing need of data storage space. 

Drawing on Feynman’s theory that was finally realised in 2002, as well as philosophical discussions, the artist examines the story of the carbon atom, by looking into its chemical properties as building block of terrestrial life, as well as into its philosophical aspects.
 
Starting with a 4,6 billion years old meteorite and ending with an animation about the future human, the exhibition follows the journey of the carbon atom from its birth in space and through its manifestations in the biosphere. The arrangement of the works in the space places the visitors in the role of an atom, guiding them through the carbon cycle. Interactive installations, sound objects and animations show the properties of carbon as a medium and a necessary element in any organic matter.
 
The exhibition is accompanied by a publication containing texts by Iva Petrova Dimovski, Dr. Melentie Pandilovski and Elena Veljanovska.
 
Carbon Memories is curated by Iva Petrova Dimovski. 
 
Kristina Pulejkova (Skopje, Macedonia 1988) is a London-based multimedia artist working between art, science and technology. Her main subjects of interest are time, temporality, ecosystems and mechanisms, looking for connections between man and machine, the organic and mechanical. She holds a graduate degree from the University for Applied Arts, Vienna (2006-2012) and Central Saint Martins College, London (2012-2014).
 
About NI Museum of Contemporary Art
Designed by the Polish architects J. Mokrzynski, E. Wierzbicki and W. Klyzewski in 1970, the NI Museum of Contemporary Art Skopje has become one of the most significant Macedonian and regional institutions, whose primary objective is to discover, nourish and spread the achievements of art and culture of our time.
In addition to its collection, the Museum also organizes and presents domestic and international exhibition projects in the field of art, photography and architecture. It is the only institution in Macedonia that continuously collects and processes the complete documentation on Macedonian art. A significant part of the Museum activity includes also the video programs, performances, lectures, panel discussions, seminars and various other auxiliary actions. The extension of specific educational programs aims to bring art closer to the public.                            

The exhibition is supported by the Macedonian Ministry of Culture.

Press contacts:
 
Kristina Pulejkova
www.kristinapulejkova.com / contact@kristinapulejkova.com
 

NI Museum of Contemporary Art Skopje
msu-info@msuskopje.org.mk