Renowned photographer Herlinde Koelbl made this sense of wonder—the playful curiosity that drives every researcher—the focus of her project. From astronomy to biochemistry, from quantum physics to stem cell research and artificial intelligence: Herlinde Koelbl has portrayed 60 of the world’s most prominent scientists and Nobel laureates in a highly unconventional way.

A formula, a philosophy, a quote: The photographic artist asked her subjects to jot down the essence of their research on the back of their hands. In this way, the fascination of science becomes visible in the truest sense of the word. Herlinde Koelbl tells the story of these researchers as people searching for the “mysteries” Einstein spoke of. The interviewees also offer an accessible glimpse into their personal experiences, successes, and setbacks on their journey to the top.

The exhibition offered this unique glimpse behind the scenes of science. Sixty brilliant minds provide an overview of the advances currently being made across the broad field of the natural sciences. In this way, it also highlighted how important international exchange is, especially in times of crisis.

Herlinde Koelbl is one of Germany’s most renowned photographic artists. Her body of work includes long-term photographic projects, documentary films, and video installations. For her best-known study, “Traces of Power,” she photographed and interviewed figures from politics and business from 1991 to 1998. In addition, she has published the photo books “Das deutsche Wohnzimmer” (The German Living Room), “Feine Leute” (Fine People), “Starke Frauen” (Strong Women), “Jüdische Portraits” (Jewish Portraits), and “Kleider machen Leute” (Clothes Make the Man), among others. The book “Faszination Wissenschaft” (Fascination with Science), published by Knesebeck Verlag, 352 pages, was released in conjunction with the exhibition.

The “Fascination with Science” project was made possible by the generous support of the “Förderfonds Wissenschaft in Berlin” and funding from the Friede Springer Foundation. In cooperation with the Max Planck Society.