GEDANKENEXPERIMENT Presented by Washington Sculptors Group and American Association for the Advancement of Science

By Editorial Team on June 17, 2014
Work by Jeff Chayette, courtesy of Washington Sculptors Group.
Work by Jeff Chayette. Courtesy of Washington Sculptors Group.

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Opening Reception and Artist Panel Discussion: Friday, June 20 6pm to 9pm

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On view June 16 through August 22

Participating Artists:

  • Christopher Bathgate
  • c.l.bigelow
  • Alan Binstock
  • Greg Braun
  • Jeff Chayette
  • Jeffery Cooper
  • Roger Cutler
  • Joel D’Orazio
  • Paul Daniel
  • Elsabe Dixon
  • Frank Fishburne
  • Billy Friebele
  • Jonathan Guyer
  • Rebecca Kamen
  • James Kessler
  • Ruth Lozner
  • James Mallos
  • Forrest McCluer
  • George McFarland
  • Elizabeth M. McCue
  • Guy Rando
  • Langley Spurlock
  • John Martin Tarrat
  • Diane Szczepaniak

Definition: Gedankenexperiment, (German: thought experiment) term used by German-born Albert Einstein to describe his unique approach of using conceptual rather than actual experiments in creating the theory of relativity. Famous examples of thought experiments from the fields of physics, philosophy, computer science, and economics include Schrodinger’s cat, a Turing machine, Maxwell’s demon, and the broken window fallacy.

Inspired by scientific and mathematical theories, hypotheses, and principles from Archimedes, I Ching, geology, geometry, architecture, and more, the artists featured in Gedankenexperiment externalized their thought experiments in sculptural expressions, using materials including barcodes, wood, metals, paper, computer parts, and limestone. Entries were not limited to traditional methodology and both non-traditional ideas and broad interpretations of Gedankenexperiment were encouraged.

Sarah Tanguy is an independent curator and arts writer, as well as a curator for Art in Embassies, U.S. Department of State. Since 1983, Tanguy has developed over 200 shows for U.S. museums and arts and science organizations and U.S. diplomatic missions abroad, as well as several public collections. In addition to numerous exhibition-related essays, she has written for The Washington Times, Sculpture, New Art Examiner, Glass, American Craft, Metalsmith, Urbanite, Hand Print Workshop International, Turning Points, Mid-Atlantic Country, Baltimore, and Readers Digest. Tanguy has also worked at the National Gallery of Art, the International Exhibitions Foundation, The Tremaine Collection, the International Sculpture Center, the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, and The Hechinger Collection.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journals Science, Science Translational Medicine and Science Signaling. Founded in 1848, AAAS includes 261 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. The nonprofit association is open to all and fulfills its mission to “advance science and serve society” through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more.

Register to attend the opening reception & artist panel discussion Eventbrite.

Gallery Hours:

  • Monday – Friday: 9am – 6pm

The AAAS is located at 1200 New York Avenue NW. For more information visit www.aaas.org.

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