Archipelago
More Seaweed, More Friends....
Archipelago: Art and Science Investigations in Times of Unstable Knowledge
Reflecting on the possible entry in the new geological epoch of the Anthropocene, this project proposes a distributed research collaboration between Switzerland, France, and Japan around issues of resilience, circularity, and carbon transition, with a focus on macro- and micro-systems, microbial worlds, and functional and evolutionary ecology. The 20-month Archipelago research program between art and science will kick off in Zurich with a series of public meetings and will organize knowledge-sharing sessions, laboratory visits, research trips, public events, and will culminate with creative retreats in Switzerland and France. A first driver for critical reflection on the entry into the Anthropocene will be to consider the role played by algae and cyanobacteria on our planet, in its past, present and future. A second driver will be to consider the implications of the debate and vote at the International Geological Congress in the summer of 2024 and the choice of the “Great Acceleration” of the 1950s as the start of the Anthropocene epoch. The arts are very accustomed to self-reflection, to questioning the methods used and to the plurality of ways of doing and knowing. This knowledge and practice are becoming increasingly valuable in an age of unstable knowledge.
Events 2024
20.3. - 13.7.24 More-than-Planet Exhibition
https://www.weareaia.ch/de/more-than-planet/
Opening on Tuesday, 19th of March 2024
March 20 to July 13, 2024
The transdisciplinary exhibition “More -Than – Planet: Visions for a Life in a New Geological Epoch?” addresses the proclamation of the new geological epoch known as the Anthropocene. Key markers for its onset include plutonium traces from atomic tests, carbon particles from fossil fuels, as well as nitrates and fertilizers – all traces of human activities from the 1950s, detected in sediments of the water column of the Lake Crawford. But the Anthropocene does not start solely with the so-called «Great Acceleration» that followed World War II. We can root the human impact at a geological level on our planetary system with the significant acceleration enabled by colonization from the 15th Century onwards.
Participating artists: Aerocene Foundation (INT), Antti Tenetz & Photo North (FI), Bureau d’Études (FR), Ewen Chardronnet (FR) & Maya Minder (CH), Felicia Honkasalo (FI), Julie Semoroz (CH-FR), Ludwig Berger (CH-DE), Magali Daniaux & Cédric Pigot (FR), Matilda Kenttä (SE), Miha Turšič (SI), Monica Ursina Jäger (CH-DE/UK), Nolan Oswald Dennis (ZA), The Laboratory Planet (INT), Satellite project by Ishita Chakraborty (CH-IN)
Curated by Ewen Chardronnet and Martina Huber Assistant Curators: Ana Victoria Bruno and Lea Elina Hofer Advisory board: Ravi Agarwal and Miha Turšič
7.05.-8.05.2024 D A CH Algae Summit
Schon seit mehreren Jahren finden in den D-A-CH-Ländern (Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz) regelmässig Veranstaltungen zur Vernetzung im Algenbereich statt. Seit seinem Entstehen im Jahr 2017 fördert das D-A-CH Algen-Netzwerk diese Vernetzung auch über die Landesgrenzen hinweg. 2021 fand der erste „D-A-CH Algen Summit“ in Wien statt. Der zweite Algen Summit wird im Frühsommer 2024 in Bern durchgeführt. Die gemeinsame Veranstaltung wird aktuelle Entwicklungen in Algenindustrie und -forschung aufzeigen und hat zum Ziel, die Vernetzung und den Erfahrungsaustausch zwischen Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Verwaltung in den DACH-Ländern zu fördern.
Special thanks to Mariluz from Agroscope!!!
File:Flyer Algen-Summit V17.pdf
5./6./7. Juni Lab-Visits in Switzerland
- 5. June - ZHAW, Wädenswil
- 6. June - Algatek, Lausanne
- 7. June - Agroscope, Bern
https://www.agroscope.admin.ch/
Roles in the project
Art2M (France)
- General administration and coordination of the activities
- host a creative camp on Batz island, Roscoff France
- provide expertise, communication
- networking and mentoring
Multicellular Marine Models lab – CNRS - Sorbonne Université (France)
- Host lab visit in France at Roscoff Marine Station
- participate in lab(s) visit(s) in Switzerland
- provide expertise
- networking and mentoring
- participate in hybrid events
- participate in the Creative Camp on Batz island
Swiss Mechatronic Art Society (Switzerland)
- Host a creative camp in Switzerland, participate in the creative camp in France
- participate in lab(s) visit(s)
- provide expertise
- communication and mentoring
We Are Awareness In Art (Switzerland)
- Host an exhibition More-than-Planet
- launching event(s) to kick-off the program
- participate in lab(s) visit(s) and creative camp(s)
- provide expertise
- communication and mentoring
Hackteria (Switzerland)
- Participate in lab(s) visit(s) and creative camp(s)
- provide expertise
- communication
- networking and mentoring
Symbiont.Space (Switzerland)
- Participate in lab(s) visit(s) and creative camp(s)
- communication writing articles
- networking and mentoring
Teti Group (Switzerland)
- Participate in event(s)
- provide expertise, communication, networking
ZHAW Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (Switzerland)
- Host lab visit at ZHAW Grüental campus in Wädenswil
- participate in launching event(s) in Switzerland
- lab(s) visit(s) in France and creative camp(s)
- provide expertise, communication, networking and mentoring
Agroscope Microbial food systems - Swiss Confederation’s center of excellence for agricultural research (Switzerland)
- Host lab visit at Agroscope Liebefeld and/or Posieux campus
- participate in launching event(s) in Switzerland
- lab(s) visit(s) in France and creative camp(s)
- provide expertise, communication, networking and mentoring
FHNW critical Medialab, Institute Experimental Design and Media Cultures (Switzerland)
- Participate in launching event(s)
- provide expertise, communication, networking and mentoring
Algaltek (Switzerland)
- Host lab visit ar AgroCo St Aubin Fribourg
- participate in launching event(s) in Switzerland
- provide expertise, communication, networking and mentoring
Co-Fundings, but no direct fundings from ProHelvtia Side (non-eligible)
Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (Japan)
- Hosting and facilitating art & science research public events during the 20th anniversary exhibition “Ecology for Empathy: dancing with everything” of the museum
metaPhorest bioart and bioaesthetics platform at Waseda University (Japan)
- Participate in hybrid events, invitation to participate in creative camp(s) in Switzerland and France
- facilitate, communicate, provide expertise and networking in Tokyo
Bioclub Tokyo (Japan)
- Participate in hybrid events, invitation to participate in creative camp(s) in Switzerland and France, facilitate, communicate, provide expertise and networking in Tokyo
Sonda Studio (Japan), Toru Oyama and Partner
- Participate in creative camp(s) in Switzerland and France, facilitate research and provide expertise in Okinawa
Embassy of Switzerland in Japan
- Host, facilitate, communicate
- host events
- provide expertise and networking for expedition(s) involving labs visits and public events in Japan in 2024 and 2025
Swissnex in Japan
- Host exhibition in Japan in 2024 and 2025
Synergies - A Pro Helvetia Initiative
With Synergies the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia supports research-based and process-oriented programmes that foster exchange between art, science and technology involving organisations in Switzerland and across the world. Synergies offers support for international collaborations and encourages programmes which spark new approaches, methodologies and connect knowledge from different contexts. The open call was launched in the beginning of 2023 and closed in October of the same year. A transdisciplinary jury of experts has selected 11 projects whose promising collaborations will start in the next months.
https://prohelvetia.ch/en/whats-on/synergies-selected-projects-2024/
THANK YOU PRO HELVETIA AND ALL THE PARTNERS !