The ancient four-element theory traced the origin of all materials back to water, air, earth, and fire. Modern science, however, requires not only 118 elements, but also new ideas and concepts to keep pace with a changing environment.

In this project, we explored materials that were historically used in art and science, as well as experimented with new materials that are being researched at our university. At the same time, our aim with the techArt project was to promote a dialogue about cultures, languages, and knowledge.

For the project, we selected two artists: Asya Marakulina and Chien Yu Lin. Both studying at the Academy of Fine Arts, which created an important collaboration between a technical and an art university.

As part of the project, the two artists collaborated with several scientists from TU Wien:

• New substances: Titanium oxide nanoparticles
  • Günther Rupprechter and Qaisar Maqbool
• New ideas: Ecological building technologies
  • Agathe Robisson
• New research: Superconductors & 2D materials
  • Andrei Pimenov
• New possibilities: Quantum Metrology
  • Thorsten Schumm

The opening took place on March 14, 2025, in the Festsaal of TU Wien, and the exhibition was on display until March 16.