C&EN talks with Ziba Ardalan, art curator

Abstract

Ziba Ardalan is an Iranian-born art curator. She cofounded and was the first director of the art organization Swiss Institute in New York. In 2004, she started the Parasol Unit Foundation for Contemporary Art in London. The not-for-profit contemporary art institution and educational charity operated from 2004 to 2023. But before becoming a voice in the art world, Ardalan was a chemist. She has a PhD in physical chemistry and worked in nutrition research. Her scientific background and curiosity have enormously influenced her work in the arts. Katharine Sanderson talks with her about how science has shaped her art curation and why she chose entropy as the theme for a show at the Venice Biennale in 2022. This interview was edited for length and clarity. Ziba, tell me about your education in Iran and Europe. It’s very hard to imagine now that women had so many possibilities, but before the