Restoring the Human Element - The Power of Transdisciplinary Collaboration between Arts, Science and Technology
9th November 2023, Royal Academy of Antwerpen
Panelists: Ronny Blust, Marjoljin Dijkman, Eva-Maria Lopez, Frank Theys and Florian Zanatta Moderator: Edith Doove
Co-organised: Alexandra DementievaADEM vzw/asbl and Kristof Timmerman (research group MAXlab) https://www.ap-arts.be
image: @Marjoljin Dijkman
The current state of our society is a product of the technological developments that originated in the second half of the past century. These accelerating technological innovations have shaped our way of life profoundly. From the advent of computers and the internet to the rise of automation and mass production, these developments have revolutionized various aspects of our lives. However, the rapid pace of progress often overshadowed the long-term implications, leading to unintended consequences such as environmental degradation, social inequalities, and the erosion of human connection. Blinded and propelled by the promises of technological progress we have often overlooked as well the human factor as the ecological consequences. Can the arts play a role in rectifying this imbalance by reintroducing the human and environmental element as the center of scientific and technological advancements? As we grapple with the challenges of today, such as the ecological crisis and societal imbalances, transdisciplinary collaboration becomes imperative. By integrating the arts, technology, and science, we can reimagine our future and create a society that harmoniously considers the human experience, the ecological well-being, and the technological advancements. Transdisciplinary collaboration serves as a powerful catalyst for addressing the challenges posed by our technological legacy. By bringing together artists, scientists, technologists, and ecologists, we can bridge the gaps between disciplines and foster a holistic approach to problem-solving. Through collaboration, we can pool diverse perspectives, knowledge, and experiences to create innovative solutions that address the human, ecological, and technological dimensions of contemporary challenges.
Ronny BLUST is Professor of Ecophysiology and Ecotoxicology at the Department of Biology, University of Antwerp. Together with Kristof TIMMERMAN organizes the Maxlab. His research is focussed amongst others on environmental chemistry, ecology and bioaccumulation. His environmental chemistry research integrates issues from pollution, bioavailability and surface water. His ecology research is multidisciplinary, incorporating perspectives in zoology and animal science.
Marjolijn DIJKMAN is an artist, researcher, and co-founder of Enough Room for Space, based in Brussels. Her works, that have been shown worldwide, can be seen as a form of scienceЦfiction, partly based on facts and research but often brought into the realm of fiction, abstraction, and speculation. Enough Room for Space initiates long-term experimental research projects, challenging the barriers between disciplines (artistic, scientific, or activist). She is currently a Ph.D. candidate as part of the artistic research cluster Deep Histories Fragile Memories at LUCA - School of Arts Brussels / Leuven University until 2027. https://www.marjolijndijkman.com
Eva-Maria LOPEZ is a multidisciplinary artist based in Karlsruhe and Paris. After receiving the masterТs degree in agriculture, she studied art at the Academy of Fine Art in Karlsruhe, Germany. Due to this background, issues relating to nature and environment have an important impact on her art. Working with the themes of nature, ecology and their historical contexts., she explores the relationship between object and environment. Her sensitivity to the destruction of natural habitats and resources, as well as socially anchored structures in contemporary societies, is highly visible. In her work, Lopez places various realities in new contexts and thereby makes them visible. Her work is shown internationally in shows and on art & science conferences; she is key founder of NAIA (Naturally and Artificially Intelligence Art association) in Karlsruhe. Next to photography as the main medium she is using AR and installations and even land art. Her works explore means of conveying these issues visually. Merging realities or history together into one picture or graphic and reframing themes are the central aims of her projects. Artistic long term research is also an integral part of her work. By the interplay of keywords, titles and slogans, Lopez attempt is to arouse questioning in the audience. http://www.evalopez.net/index
Frank THEYS - artist and researcher based in Brussels and Amsterdam. In 2006 he collaborated with Michel Bauwens to create the three-part documentary film TechnoCalyps and the author of TechnoCalyps which delves into the scientific, ethical and metaphysical dimensions of technological development.Genetics, robotics, artificial intelligence, bionics and nanotechnology have mankind transcending human limits. https://franktheys.net
Dr. Florian ZANATTA is based in Liège and working on biogeography and urban ecology. He focused his research on developing ecological niche models to explore bryophytes migration capacity, integrating wind dispersal simulations, in the context of climate changes. Later he worked at Meise Botanic Garden, mainly on bryophytes spores morphological variations using SEM photography and morphometric analysis. He co-founded lacYme, a collaborative urban ecology lab which develops science communication and citizen-science-based research projects and activities combining scientific, historic and artistic approaches. lacyme.org
