Repeating a scientific experiment, reliving a human adventure: this is the project that the historians of the Laboratory for the History of Science and Technology (LHST) have set themselves, following in the footsteps of the Deluc brothers, two Genevan scientists from the late 18th century. Last August, they climbed Mont Buet, a mountain in Haute-Savoie, equipped with replicas of the original scientific instruments. Accompanied by researchers, a museum curator and artists, they lived a human and intellectual adventure that mirrored the 18th century expedition, but also immersed them in the reality of the Alpine peaks today...
Following this practice, three artists were invited to accompany the historians and researchers. During the expedition, two visual artists, photographer Olga Cafiero and draughtsman Pascal Favre, and a sound artist, Joell Nicolas, observed, analysed, listened to and interpreted what was happening around them, in the group and within themselves. Using precise, direct, almost clinical photography, Olga Cafiero punctuated the climb with shots of waterfalls, rocks, the mountain cirque, scientific instruments in action and tourists. (...) Close to the researchers, the photographer highlighted the measuring instruments and their use, their material components and their colors, thus integrating the technical presence specific to this mission into the natural environment" (extract from the text of the exhibition "Le sommet qui cache la montagne" at the Learning Centre, Epfl and Musée d'histoire des sciences, Geneva).
