Chicago-based artist Jan Tichy has created a new exhibition titled 'Darkness' at Michigan State University's Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum. The project is the result of a nearly nine-month collaboration with four MSU labs, most prominently the Department of Entomology, where Tichy worked with researchers and students to incorporate insects and scientific methods like blacklight sampling into the artwork.
The exhibition explores the biological and ecological relationship to light and darkness, using art to bridge scientific research and public engagement. It highlights a growing trend of interdisciplinary collaboration between artists and academic institutions, transforming specialized research into accessible public experiences and fostering new perspectives on environmental themes.