12 2 / 2022 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS
“ The desire to ask ‘ why ’”
Photographer Herlinde Koelbl about the exhibition “ Fascination of Science ” at the Leopoldina
Photographer and documentary filmmaker Herlinde Koelbl is one of the most successful artists in this field . She rose to fame with coffee-table books such as “ The German Living Room ” ( 1980 ). From 10 June until 11 September , the Leopoldina in Halle ( Saale ) will be hosting Herlinde Koelbl ’ s exhibition “ Fascination of Science ,” which includes the portraits of 22 academy members .
Mrs . Koelbl , what gave you the idea to take portraits of scientists ? Herlinde Koelbl : I had heard some lectures where scientists needed to keep it brief . This meant that they had to get to the essence of what they wanted to say very quickly , and listening to them was very interesting . Also , I became friends with some scientists . That is how I got the idea to take their portraits . I very quickly decided to make this an international project , that I wanted to cover as many natural science disciplines as possible and include as many women as possible – for the world of science is still male-dominated . Right from the start , I also wanted to talk to the subjects and to take video footage
Did these women and men of science like being photographed ? Koelbl : They did not hesitate at all ! It goes without saying that scientists are a completely different kind of people than politicians . Politicians need to be extroverts ; they want and need to be seen by the public . The public has to know what they look like – they live a life almost like
The exhibition poster shows a portrait of Antje Boetius , a marine researcher .
in a shop-window . Scientists on the other hand are people who work alone in a laboratory and who mainly seek public attention by way of their publications .
Is it possible that your idea to include the hands has made the project particularly interesting for your subjects ? Koelbl : Yes , I told everyone to write their philosophy or a formula on their hand . And then I asked them to hold the hand close to their face . This brings the portrait and the message that goes with it close together . They all started playing because I didn ’ t give them any instructions , and I liked that : I believe I touched upon something that is part of research : something playful and alive .
Your own work may also be seen as a kind of research – in images and words . Did you ever consider being a scientist yourself ?
Koelbl : No , for me , this was a new , and exciting world , and a real challenge . I prepared for the conversations in detail by reading about the subject matter . There is something that I , as an artist , have in common with my subjects : the desire to keep discovering something new , to never stop asking ‘ why ’. We should preserve the curiosity we are born with . When you stop being curious , you are dead .
The microbiologist Emmanuelle Charpentier wrote : “ Always be the best of yourself ” on her hand . Did you recognise such high expectations as a typical characteristic of researchers ? Koelbl : I admire anyone who is passionate about what they do . It requires immense perseverance , which is essential to be able to deal with failure . In science , there is a lot of rivalry and competition , of course . But you do not earn a reputation with money , but by publishing your research results in the most reputed journal before anyone else . That is the currency of science . I want to talk about as many of these different facets as possible in just one photo . One of my objectives was to make science a more visible part of society .
Image : Herlinde Koelbl
■ THE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED BY ADELHEID MÜLLER-LISSNER