Industrial evolutions - exhibition 14 june 2022 - 5 march 2023 - Cité des Sciences
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PRESS KIT
industrial
evolutions
exhibition
14 june 2022
— 5 march 2023
A WORD FROM OUR CEO FOREWORD
The "Industrial Revolution" – generally accepted From 14 June, the Cité des Sciences et de
as a historical truth, has become part of our l’Industrie presents Industrial Evolutions, a
everyday language and refers to the idea that temporary exhibition that explores the "new
there was an abrupt change in production industrial world" and its impact on mankind.
methods. It has played a key role in constructing
a collective narrative that begins with the Industrial Evolutions reflects on the process
"invention" of the steam engine by James Watt of industrialisation, a vast and complex
in Great Britain in 1769. In partnership with subject, spanning the past, present and
the École des Hautes Études future and touching on all areas of human
When we take a closer look, we can see that en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) activity, which are now more interdependent
industrialisation is a slow phenomenon that and with the support of the than ever. The artistic and educational
began well before the 18th century and is not Union des Industries et Métiers installations give visitors a contemplative
tied to any particular region. It has very little de la Métallurgie (UIMM). experience that allows them to understand
to do with a revolution... rather it’s all about the changes occurring today by comparing
"industrial evolutions". This is what the exhibition them with those of yesterday. They are then
at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie aims invited to question the duality of an industry
to show, focusing as much on permanence as that helps people live better but at the same
on change. time causes concern.
For centuries, industry has been transforming
raw materials on a large scale through work and
energy, and organising the mass production
of objects, networks, systems and services.
We are intimately connected to the products
of industry: they surround us, extend us, Trilingual exhibition
contain us, and we even ingest them. Nothing (French, English, Spanish)
can escape their influence, since industry Age 14 and above
shapes human labour, but also landscapes,
cities and our societies. A world in itself.
The exhibition explores this with an original
reflection on the process of industrialisation, Industrial Evolutions is part of the
viewed through the lens of our relationship "Societyscience / The way our world
with technical objects, work and discourse. is changing" editorial line.
The time has come to deconstruct a myth. This thematic line features exhibitions
dealing with changes in science and
Bruno Maquart, technology and their impact on our
Chairman and CEO of Universcience individual and collective lives.
CONTENTS They therefore offer a valuable insight
into social sciences and other major
The exhibition experience p. 4 issues affecting society.
To accompany the exhibition p. 12
Project team p. 14
Partners p. 15
2 3
THE EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE
A global,
transhistorical
approach through
7 highlights
2
1
TRANSFORMATIONS
FROM FOG TO CLOUD Two installations then reveal the
increase in production and consumption
Images projected on five large screens and the changing face of industry:
set the scene and situate us in time. • AN AUGMENTED APARTMENT*
From London’s historic pea-soupers demonstrates the enormous scale of
– a mixture of fog and coal smoke – the production lines and the complexity
to a digital cloud represented against of the technical sectors behind everyday
a blue sky, the contrast is striking. Both objects.
these images share the same metaphor * Design : Tetsuo /nObrain, set decor:
though. Whether against a black or a Atelier Veroliv.
blue background, it is just as difficult • A LENTICULAR INSTALLATION
to see clearly, as the changes etched entrusted to the artist Thierry Verbeeck
on the face of industry are so profound shows the transformations over a century
and have affected all areas of human of a major site in French industrial history,
activity. Five themed slide shows PSA-Sochaux.
(transformed landscapes, standardisation
While manufacturing employment is
and accumulation, industrial locations,
declining in Europe and the United
images of workers and networks),
States, it is increasing worldwide and
accompanied by an original soundtrack
now employs 310 million people. Industry
from Cirque Électrique, show us the
is not declining – it is thriving, moving
complexity of today’s industrial world
and constantly evolving, feeding an
and the lack of clarity that surrounds
economy based on the accumulation
situations of great change.
of objects. Today, our planet is being
hyper-industrialised.
4
4 5
3 THE AGE
OF OBJECTS
Seven themes, represented by seven
symbolic objects, are presented in 3 x 3
metre rooms that form the backbone
of the exhibition. Each of these scenes
includes a radio play complemented
by other media (audiovisuals, graphics,
tangible objects, sets and staging).
The presence of these technical objects
4 HOMO FABER
This highlight reveals the transformations
reminds us that their production is both in the organisation of work and the
the purpose and reason for the existence metamorphosis of industry through the
of industry. We transform the world question of work, while demonstrating
by making objects, which in turn the coexistence and proliferation
transform us. of production methods.
Themes and objects presented: Three representative locations
• ENERGY: the myth of energy transi- provide structure for the subject:
tions / James Watt’s condenser engine • THE MINE: the extraction of minerals
• OBSOLESCENCE: from disposability is the basis of industrial activity.
as a way of life to programmed obsoles-
cence / the rotor of the L’Increvable • THE FACTORY: as a symbol of the way
washing machine in which people organise themselves
• INTERNET OF THINGS: digitisation around the production of objects.
of the physical world / the smartphone • THE DIGITAL PLATFORM, which
and integrated circuits demonstrates the transfiguration of
• CANNING: food preservation as a work through digital technology.
factor in improving living conditions
This highlight presents:
and human longevity / the tin can
• SURVEILLANCE: links between civil • a display of work clothes, illustrating in
and military industry / the drone particular the merger of the manufacturing
• BIRTHS: gender, demography and industry with the service industry;
industry / the contraceptive pill • five audio testimonies of industrial
• IMPORT-EXPORT: textile industry, operators talking about different
colonialism and fast-fashion / Barbie dolls modern-day jobs;
Energy transitions, gender issues, • a large-scale audiovisual installation
the digitisation of the physical world, the (Testuo/nObrain) based on three
political dimension of our technological arthouse documentaries: The Coal
choices and the duality of industry (which Miner’s Day, directed and produced by
allows us to live better as much as it Gaël Mocaër (Ukraine, 2013), C’est quoi
threatens us), colonialism and environmental ce travail? by Luc Joulé and Sébastien
impacts are all addressed here. Jousse, produced by Shellac Sud,
The radio plays, with their offbeat and Travail et Culture (France, 2015),
incisive tone, were written by author The Republic’s Couriers by Badredine
Luigi Cerri (Canopée). Haouari, produced by Les Ateliers Varan
(France, 2018).
6 7
5 GRAND
NARRATIVES
6 THE REBOUND
EFFECT
WHAT IS THE JEVONS PARADOX?
What if Karl Marx talked to Steve Jobs?
(Jevons paradox)
In the middle of the 19th century,
And Elon Musk to René Descartes?
This phenomenon, known as the English coal producers became
A humorous film, written by Luigi rebound effect, has been observed for concerned. As steam engines became
Cerri using genuine quotes, stages a long time and has never been refuted, more efficient, they were using less and
a debate between historical figures but it remains little known to the general less of their precious fuel. Would there
whose ideas and speeches have marked public and is often «forgotten» when it still be enough demand for coal? The
the history of industrial activity. comes to both individual decisions and English economist Jevons reassured
These narratives correspond to two political choices. It can be summed up them: because machines are more
recurring visions, depending on the like this: an innovation that is aimed at efficient, production will increase
teller: technology and industrialisation a more efficient use of energy or (cotton, cast iron, etc.), prices will fall
are either perceived as threats to resources leads, in turn, to an increase and, in the end, coal will be used more
mankind or as solutions to all our in the consumption of this resource and more. And that’s just what happened.
problems, as sources of subjugation and energy. Each machine uses fewer resources,
or emancipation. but total consumption increases – it
The installation on display is a literal,
Film directed by Résonance Films. rebounds. This pattern is at the heart
physical, monumental and contempla-
of industrial growth and is repeated
tive expression of this rebound effect.
systematically for all innovations.
It was designed and produced by digital
craft collective Les Arts Codés (Sonia
Laugier and François Brument).
8 9
7 AUGMENTED EARTH /
DIMINISHED EARTH
The exhibition ends by lifting the curtain
on the new hyperindustrialised world.
This highlight presents the gigantic, invisible
infrastructures of digital technology:
satellites, undersea cables and data centres.
A spectacular 270° video projection reveals
these new infrastructures and shows how
the Earth has become a ball of cables
supporting almost instantaneous commu-
nication, surrounded by satellites through
which everything is geolocated, where
data is stored in increasing numbers of
data centres whose existence we barely
even notice. Our Earth, diminished in terms
of resources, is at the same time augmented
by a digital continent that we have not yet
mapped. Hidden from view by their sheer
size, concealed by the vocabulary used to
describe them (network, cloud, demateria-
lisation), digital infrastructures nevertheless
occupy a physical reality within our global
industrial machine that is unprecedented
in human history.
This installation, designed by Ilusio and
crisscross.studio, is completed by an
original composition by Cirque Electique.
10 11
TO ACCOMPANY THE EXHIBITION
INDUSTRIAL EVOLUTIONS
EXHIBITION JOURNAL
PUBLICATIONS Author of texts and interviews: Olivier Quezada.
Interviews with Liliane Hilaire-Pérez, professor of modern history
at the Université Paris-Cité and director of studies at the École des
Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), Thierry Weil, doctor of
physics, professor at Mines Paris, Pierre Veltz, sociologist and econo-
mist, and Astrid Fontaine, exhibition curator and museographer.
Designed as a souvenir of the exhibition, this journal deconstructs the
notion of the "industrial revolution" that appeared with James Watt’s
BOOK HEROES steam engine, in favour of a series of progressive evolutions. Three
OF THE CLOTH scientific experts question the collective narrative of the "Industrial
Revolution" in a concise way by focusing on a series of emblematic
SÉVERINE LALIBERTÉ AUDREY MILLET NICOLA GOBBI The fabulous history of textiles characters and places.
Written by Séverine Laliberté and Available from 10 June 2022. On sale only at the Cité des Sciences
Audrey Millet, illustrated by Nicola et de l’Industrie and on cite-sciences.fr Format 21.5 X 42 cm /
Gobbi. 24 pages / €5.95.
Imagine a textile trade fair that crosses
space and time: Karl Lagerfeld, Michael
Jordan, Colbert, Otzi, an influencer,
LES HÉROS DE L’ÉTOFFE Adam Smith, an Indian textile worker,
LA FABULEUSE HISTOIRE DU TEXTILE King Arthur... Guided by Pétronille, an
archaeologist, and Audrey, a fashion
ONLINE GAME: LE PARADOXE
historian, the reader is plunged into a "Le Paradoxe" is an interactive digital game that gives you
story that is also the history of humanity, a better understanding of the rebound effect, also known as
from the Palaeolithic to fast fashion. the Jevons paradox. The player takes on the role of the new
The industrialisation of the world was a mayor of a small village where a threatening cloud is growing
long-term process, shaped by inequalities, in the sky. This cloud, which the worried inhabitants call the
access to natural resources, social and Paradox, puts the holding of their beloved Chestnut Festival
political struggles. No other field is more at risk!
representative of this than textiles. Age 15 and over. Purchase from the online ticket office of
This book gives the anonymous the the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie.
place they deserve in the history of More information to come.
textiles and puts its evolution into
perspective.
New joint publication Steinkis / Cité des
Sciences et de l’Industrie. Available from DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
bookshops and online from 9 June 2022.
"Industry Tomorrow" event week
Format 190 x 250 mm / 144 pages / €19.
from 15 to 20 November 2022.
More information to come.
12 13
PROJECT TEAM PARTNERS
EXHIBITION BOARD Antoine Picon, director of research at
the École des Ponts ParisTech and IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WITH THE SUPPORT OF
Astrid Fontaine, exhibition curator professor at the Graduate School of
Evanthia Ioannidou, Sophie Manoff, Design at Harvard University. Architect,
Christelle Guiraud, museographers doctor of history (EHESS), engineering
graduate from the École Polytechnique
SCIENTIFIC ADVISERS Sophie Prunier-Poulmaire, lecturer
in work psychology and ergonomics,
Serge Abiteboul, Director of Research at The Union des Industries et Métiers
president of the Lumières sur le Travail The École des hautes études en
Inria, member of the French Academy of de la Métallurgie (Union of Metallurgy
association, vice-president of the sciences sociales (school of advanced
Sciences, member of the Executive Board Industries or UIMM) is a professional
University of Paris-X-Nanterre studies in social sciences or EHESS),
of the Autorité de Régulation des Commu- organisation whose vocation is to
Pierre Veltz, engineer, sociologist and created in 1975, is one of the main
nications Électroniques et des Postes support the companies in the sector
economist. Professor emeritus at the centres for human and social sciences
Vincent Bontems, philosopher of at all stages of their development, to
École des Ponts ParisTech, member of in Europe. It is unique in the French
science and technology, researcher at represent them and to promote their
the French Academy of Technologies. higher education and research
Larsim (CEA) and associate researcher interests, whatever their size and sector
Former president of the Paris-Saclay landscape, both because of its interdis-
at the CGS (Mines ParisTech), member
public planning authority ciplinary intellectual programme and of activity (metallurgy, metal processing,
of the Centre international des Études
Thierry Weil, doctor of physics, because of its training-through-research mechanics, automotive, shipbuilding,
simondoniennes (Cides)
engineering graduate of the Corp des model, its international roots and its aeronautics, space, railways, nuclear,
Guillaume Carnino, former computer
Mines, member of the French Academy openness to society. EHESS is playing a electrical and electronics). The UIMM
engineer, lecturer in the history of science
of Technologies, professor at Mines represents 42,000 industrial compa-
and technology at the University of leading role in the revival of industrial
ParisTech (Centre for Industrial Economics) nies, which employ 1.6 million people.
Technology of Compiègne history thanks to its interdisciplinary
and former delegate of the Fabrique de It relies on a network of 59 territorial
Florence Hachez-Leroy, business, approach, which enables it to grasp the
l’Industrie. Futures of Industry and Work trade union chambers, including
science and technology historian, lecturer complexity of economic processes and
Chair (Cerna, I3, CNRS) the GIM in Île-de-France, as well as
and research supervisor at Artois University, the diversity of social and political issues
Centre for Research and Studies in linked to industry. In addition, EHESS, as 10 professional federations. It also runs
History and Society (UR 4027) SCENOGRAPHY host institution and co-organiser of the the leading private association network
Liliane Hilaire-Pérez, professor of modern Exhibition scenography workshop: Pascal 19th World Economic History Congress, offering technical and industrial training
history at the Université Paris-Cité (Labora- Payeur, Sylvie Jausserand, Samuel Mola wishes to encourage the international that is as close as possible to the skills
toire ICT – les Europes dans le monde), influence of research and innovative needs of companies. The UIMM and
director of studies at the EHESS (Alexandre the GIM have been committed for
Koyré Centre), senior member of the
ASSOCIATE ARTISTS achievements in economic and industrial
history. many years to promoting the industry
Institut Universitaire de France Le Cirque Électrique and its trades. Together, they wanted
Thomas Le Roux, researcher in envi- cirque-electrique.com to be partners associated with the
ronmental history at CNRS, former Les Arts Codés Universcience exhibition in order to
director of the Centre de Recherches lesartscodes.com make the industry in all its dimensions
Historiques (CRH) at the EHESS known to young people, their teachers
Manuela Martini, professor of contem- Luigi Cerri and la compagnie Canopée
compagniecanopee.com and their families, and more widely
porary history, University of Lyon-2 and to the general public.
Institut Universitaire de France Thierry Verbeeck
Pierre Musso, philosopher, doctor of thierry-verbeeck.be
political science, honorary professor in
information and communication sciences WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF
at the University of Rennes-II and at Télé-
com ParisTech, associate researcher at the
Interdisciplinary Institute of Innovation (I3)
14 15
© EPPDCSI/COM – mai 2022. Couverture : Doc Levin Studio / Jeanne Triboul, Léo Quetglas. Photo : Véronique Pêcheux. Usine de Noisiel / Bnf département Estampes et photographies. Pages intérieures : p. 2-3 : J. Castro/Getty Images ; p. 4-5 : Wellcome Collection-CC BY 4.0 ; Remy-Pierre Ribière/EPPDCSI ; p. 6 : droits réservés ; Ricky A. Villareal/
#ExpoEvolutionsIndustrielles
Eyeem/Getty Images ; p. 7 : Shellac Sud/Travail et Culture ; Gaël Mocaër ; Les Ateliers Varan ; p. 8 : collections Universcience ; K. Pinkau / IISG, Amsterdam ;Photo12/Picture Alliance/Zentralbild ; p. 9 : André-Philippe Côté ; p. 10-11 : Cnes/Mira Productions/Remy Parot, 2018.2018 ; Peter Garritano ; Orange Marine.
cite-sciences.fr
Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie
30 avenue Corentin-Cariou
75019 Paris
Porte de la Villette 3b
139, 150, 152, 71
Open every day, except Mondays, 10 am - 6 pm,
and Sundays 10 am - 7 pm.
BOOKING RECOMMENDED ON CITE-SCIENCES.FR
Full price: €12
Concession: €9 (over 65s, teachers, under 25s,
large families and students).
Free for under 2s, job seekers and people on a low
income, disabled persons and their carers
Entirely designed and produced by the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, this exhibition
has been configured to meet the health and hygiene requirements for Covid-19
PRESS CONTACTS ASSOCIATE COMMUNICATION HEAD OF COMMUNICATION
DIRECTOR AND AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Laure-Anne Le Coat
+33 (0)1 40 05 75 04 / +33 (0)6 17 44 56 24 Karine Emonet-Villain Romain Pigenel
laure-anne.lecoat@universcience.fr +33 (0)1 40 05 74 67 / +33 (0)6 11 66 91 05 romain.pigenel@universcience.fr
karine.emonetvillain@universcience.fr
Aurore Wils
+33 (0)1 40 05 70 15 / +33 (0)6 46 66 18 97
aurore.wils@universcience.fr
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