MUELLER-DIVJAK´s work as artists and researchers focuses on an expanded understanding of living systems.

SENSING LIVING SYSTEMS

Arts-based Research, 2023-2026

We are surrounded by environments permeated by systems, whether in nature, technology, business or society. A deep understanding of systems is crucial to solving complex problems, making better decisions, anticipating future developments, coping with change and creating a sustainable future. 

It is important to understand that everything in our world is part of a larger system and is interrelated, from biological cells, humans and animals to trees and governments. We have an innate ability to perceive systems and their interdependencies, but often unlearn this through linear thinking, fragmented perception and mechanistic world views.

This is why MUELLER-DIVJAK (Dr. Jeanette Müller and Dr. Paul Divjak) conceived and initiated the artistic research project SENSING LIVING SYSTEMS – Exploring the Potentials of Multisensory Scenography for Systems Awareness. Currently the art & science-duo ist running the project at the AIL – Angewandte Interdisciplinary Lab / University of Applied Arts with Alexandra Graupner, head of AIL. Together with a team of international artists and systems scientists they are searching for, developing, creating and testing auditory, olfactory, and tactile sensory agents to be implemented into a multisensory scenography that allows for a better understanding and resonating with living systems.

SENSING LIVING SYSTEMS is an arts-based research project funded by FWF Austrian Science Fund (PEEK – AR 776), located at Angewandte Interdisciplinary Lab – Universität für Angewandte Kunst Wien

SENSING LIVING SYSTEMS: Artistic activities / research portfolio: Showroom, Universität für Angewandte Kunst

THE BARN

Site-specific Installation / Scenic Construction, 2022

For “The barn” MUELLER-DIVJAK worked with recycled material from demolished rural buildings, reinterpreting and staging it as an architectonic phantasy resembling a haunted witch´s home. “The barn” is the urban dwellers´ phantasmagory of a fairy tale-place of one´s own.

ทำไม / WHY

Art in Public Space, HIghway / Suvarnabhumi Airport, BANGKOK, 2022  

From earliest childhood on a simple but pending question is accompanying us. This important question in a surrounding environment of complexity is: “Why?” – Today’s societies and global challenges confront us with increasingly multiple crises and imbalances. The underlying individual and collective assumptions, motivations and power structures are rarely fundamentally questioned. In reaction to that circumstance the intervention of STUDIO MUELLER-DIVJAK is taking up and transferring the single interrogative word into public space along the highways leading to, and coming from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). On giant billboards, usually reserved for generating attention in relation to selling consumer goods – cars, fashion, cosmetics et al -, the word “ทำไม“ (why?) can be read in huge letters.

THE BANGKOK GATEWAY

Model for a Public Art Gallery, 2022  

The Bangkok Gateway is a place for public art and inclusive and interdisciplinary practice, enhancing solidarity, and community events, creating meaning and significance. It is providing the framework for the celebration of cultural symbols, transformation of societies, diversity and togetherness. The Bangkok Gateway is an installation / artwork with urban significance, that has social benefits and generates attention for relevant contemporary issues. It has the potential of becoming an urban landmark, bridging the here and now and the future. 

WE VIEW ART AS A SYSTEM OF ACTION

From the Series Preliminary Studies For “The Superconsonancer” (since 2020)

FUTURE LOTTERY

Multimedia Installation, Vögele Kultur Zentrum, Pfäffikon / Switzerland, 2021