Carsten Höller creates what he calls Influential Environments, intended to create particular states of mind, like excitement and alteration, doubt and confusion, joy and fear. He has a Ph.D. habil. in the field of phytopathology from researching insects’ olfactory communication before becoming an artist. His installations are often reminiscent of scientific experiments, but without a scientist or data-collecting apparatus present. Instead of the artist’s vision being embodied in the artwork, as is traditionally the case, his artworks allow for self-experimentation, producing particular experiences in the users. He has referred to the visitors of his exhibitions as “his real working material”.

Höller’s works have been shown in major art institutions worldwide, including Fondazione Prada, Milan (2000), Tate Modern, London (2006), Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin (2010), New Museum, New York (2011), Hayward Gallery, London (2015), Pirelli HangarBicocca, Milan (2016), Museo Tamayo, Mexico City (2019) and MAAT, Lisbon (2021). In 2022, Höller opened the restaurant Brutalisten in Stockholm.