Cute Bits

Laure Prouvost

Upon entering Kraftwerk, suspended sculptures called Cute Bits can be seen gliding through the openings between floors, emitting prisms of light as they rise and fall. Their title is a play on qubits, the basic units of information in a quantum computer. Prouvost conceived these sculptures around the concept of entanglement, both in quantum and metaphorical senses. Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon where particles or qubits become linked, so that the state of one is correlated to the state of others regardless of the distance between them. This can be seen when the movement of one sculpture mirrors the opposing movement of another, as though their states are linked. The sculptures also gesture towards a broader sense of interconnection. Their composition evokes both cosmic and earthly elements, linking these two realms. This connection is central to Prouvost’s engagement with quantum, which spans both the cosmological origins of quantum fluctuations that shaped the universe through to a second type of noise resulting from, for instance, the effect of cosmic radiation on quantum technologies. Deeper in the space, Prouvost invites us to reflect on our own entanglement within quantum systems by dipping our heads into one of the Cute Bits. Inside, metallic and mineral scents evoke elements shared by celestial bodies and machines. In entering our own bodies, these molecules draw attention to the movements of matter at an invisible scale. Prouvost gently guides us through a stream of thoughts on the astronomical origins of quantum fluctuations, creating a more personal sensory experience within the vast installation.