Instruments in art and science

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This volume features original papers exploring the intersection of philosophy, the history of science, and cultural and theatrical studies, focusing on 17th-century case studies. It examines the role of instruments in bridging science and art, positing that the development and construction of instruments significantly contribute to new fields of knowledge, cultural practices, and the delineation of genres, methods, and disciplines. The authors reflect on the definition of an instrument, posing fundamental questions: What actions does an instrument incorporate? What actions does it enable? When do objects of examination become instruments? What skills are necessary to use an instrument, and what skills does it produce? By combining new theoretical models with historical case studies, the volume illustrates the mutual influence of art and science, with instruments as the focal point. This work offers valuable insights for those interested in the history of our understanding of instruments. Contributors include Jörg Jochen Berns, Olaf Breidbach, Georges Didi-Huberman, Peter Galison, Sybille Krämer, Dieter Mersch, Hans-Jörg Rheinberger, Wilhelm Schmidt-Biggemann, and Otto Sibum.