Chilean arts Festival Bridges Science and Imagination with Universe-Inspired Installations
SACO1.2, Chile – A new arts festival in Chile is sparking dialog between scientific exploration and artistic expression, featuring installations inspired by astronomy, astrobiology, and the unique landscapes of the Atacama Desert.The Biennial Saco1.2, currently underway, showcases the work of three international artists-Giovana zuccarino, Jan Tautz, and Katarzyna Tretyn-who each offer distinct perspectives on humanity’s relationship with the cosmos.
the festival underscores a growing trend of artists turning to scientific themes for inspiration, fostering a space where complex knowledge is reinterpreted thru creative lenses. By presenting these works,Saco1.2 aims to demonstrate that science and art aren’t mutually exclusive, but rather complementary avenues for understanding our place in the universe and prompting new ways of thinking about knowledge and creation.
Italian artist Giovana Zuccarino presents plates capturing lunar light, while German artist Jan Tautz explores cosmic phenomena through abstract forms. Polish artist Katarzyna Tretyn‘s installation, The Observatory of Silence, draws directly from her experiences at Chilean observatories like Cerro Murphy and Paranal.
“chile, with its clear skies and its avant-garde astronomical infrastructure, allowed me to live the pace of work in an observatory. That experience became one of my most critically important sources of inspiration,” explains Tretyn. Her work connects astronomical research with astrobiology, specifically the similarities between the Atacama Desert and the surface of Mars, prompting contemplation of potential life beyond Earth.
Tretyn emphasizes that her project doesn’t aim to replicate scientific data, but rather “Build a contemplative space where scientific knowledge acquires a new artistic dimension.” The installation utilizes a dynamic structure of tensioned and illuminated threads,inviting viewers to pause and consider the “invisible,” highlighting the potential for both science and art to thrive in silence.