Nanometric spatialisation
 
 

Between 670 and 254 nanometres we build a series of spaces that follow one another in a linear direction, from largest to smallest, from visible to invisible, from habitable to inhabitable. The progression takes place along a course in which space reduces itself, decomposes from what starts as a unit into ever simpler and smaller components. We programme a gradual reduction of white light together with a macroscopic reduction of space. The first chamber, the largest one, is
flooded with white light made up of superimposed red, green and violet, in other words the whole of the visible light spectrum from 400 to 670 nanometres. In the second chamber, which is narrower and lower, we removed the red, which creates a yellow atmosphere lit with wave lengths between 400 and 550 nanometres. In the third chamber, which is only man height, we did away with wave lengths corresponding to green; the only light left is blue-violet, between 400 and
500 nanometres. We have to get on our knees to enter the fourth room. Here, by descending to shorter wave lengths, we leave visible light and are left with ultra-violets. This fourth chamber is flooded by UV-A waves at 360 nanometres, a black light that affects the skin thanks to vitamin D to give a suntan. The fifth and last chamber is inaccessible. With a height of only 40 centimetres we can only put our heads inside it. A UV-C germicide and ozone creating lamp is set up at
the back of the room. It gives off 254 nanometre electromagnetic rays that destroy viruses and bacteria and attacks other forms of life including our own. Here the wave length of the electromagnetic rays are too short for the room to be habitable - a limit in dimension in the infinitely small where space becomes harmful, burning the skin and penetrating deep into our body to destroy it.

Décosterd & Rahm, associés
(Philippe Rahm, Jean-Gilles Décosterd, Sébastien Chevance)
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NANO - 60, rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière, 75010 Paris
Exhibition "Nano", curator: Laurence Dreyfus
From May 22 - September 20. 2003
 
 

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