http://studiolabproject.eu/opencall/yours-synthetically
Call for works: Studiolab's dialogue with biology hosted in the Ars Electronica Biolab.
A team of researchers working in bio-comms have just received what can only be described as an archaic communication method, a letter...
Dear Humanity,
We have to talk.
Let's just say that our relationship has been a bit challenging lately. We've had some ups and downs for sure, the ups of global temperatures and carbon in the atmosphere, and the downs such as the variety of species still sharing our planet.
As you know, I'm a bit concerned about our future. Take this whole area of synthetic biology for example. You say that you understand, that you care, but just because you've sequenced a few bits and pieces doesn't mean you can read me like an open book. Sometimes it feels like I'm just another one of your machines. Is that it? Do you just want to engineer me?
These "synthetic" organisms you're playing with, what are they going to be when they grow up? A bit of give and take wouldn't hurt sometimes, not always you you you. My clock is ticking and I really need some commitment from you, what's your long term plan? Do you even have one?
Yours Synthetically,
Life on Earth
Curatorial theme:
Yours Synthetically is a subtle reflection on the formulaic conclusion to a letter: 'Yours Sincerely'. In essence, pointing to the reading and writing of biology taking place in Synthetic Biology through the self-assembling language of DNA. Yours Synthetically is positioned as the conclusive signifier of honesty, the appendage of good intentions that we normally offer in written communications. It is ambiguous who wrote the letter, it was signed yours synthetically, but by whom? Was it signed Yours Synthetically, Mankind? Or is it biology writing to us, or are we writing in response? Either way, this collection of Studiolab works are part of our current dialogue with biology, tackling the complex ideas, systems, models and unpredictable realities, in which the results will be long lived, as any changes to the planets biome will be, forever Yours.
This dialogue is our responsibility.
Open Call Exhibition
For an exhibition titled: Yours Synthetically in the Ars Electronica Center, in Linz Austria.
Calling: artists, scientics, designers, biologists, bio-hackers, students, academics, professors, technologists, and futurists; with topical interest in the fields of: Synthetic Biology and extended fields of biological arts, including but not limited to engineering, technology, ethics and ecology.
Call for: works / exhibits / projects that push a dialogue on Synthetic biology in the most open, diadactic, critical and informative ways. For example: kits and tools that enable home DIY exploration; speculative fictions that foster critical debate; games that aid in developing value systems and promote discussion; experiments/workshops for school children that explain mechanisms of Synthetic Biology; art works that allow us to reconsider the impact of nature as a programmable toolkit, and in general works that examine the use of transgenics and synthetic biology.
Dates of Exhibition - July to October 2013
Dates of Call: 18th February - Midnight 9th April 2013
Preference will be given to projects made in partnership with a member of the Studiolab Partners and Expert Partners network.
Open Call SPHÆRÆ
In addition to the exhibition call, Synergetica Lab is opening a call for artists to present multi-sensory performances or installations inside of an inflatable biomorphic pavilion called Sphæræ during Ars Electronica festival 2013 in Linz. Inspired by biological membranes, Sphæræ is intended for spherically projected artworks, which can be viewed both inside and outside of the pavilion. Consisting of 5 conjoined domes, Sphæræ comfortably fits up to 60 people. Please, download more information about Sphæræ: http://www.synergeticalab.com/downloads/sphaerae.pdf
During the past decade, high-resolution satellite images of Earth have made apparent humanity’s impact on our planet’s biodiversity and overall health. Before humans choose to re-envision the biosphere through the astounding prism of synthetic biology, they should first deepen their understanding of living matter. With the same powerful tools used by synthetic biologists, a new approach should be fostered, which strives less towards an anthropocentric narrative, and more towards a harmonious return to a bio-diverse, evergreen garden of the Solar System.
The results of the open call will become part of a program presented over the course of 3 evenings at Ars Electronica. During the day, we would like to offer Sphæræ as a locus for Studiolab presentations/activities.
Dates of Presenations: September 5th - 9th, 2013
Dates of Call: 18th February - Midnight 9th April 2013
Preference will be given to projects made in partnership with a member of the Studiolab Partners and Expert Partners network.
Submission Requirements:
Applicant Name
Project title
300 word description of project
Project Image, a sketch, photo of finished work
Status of work: proposal / finished work / proof of concept
Brief budget estimate: 3-4 lines, fees/transport/materials
Studiolab Partner (use the comments field to nominate your Studiolab partner, and the status of your project).
URL featuring recent projects
Optional documentation (an optional pdf or doc file with more details about your project)
Submission form: The submission form will open 18th February, and close 9th April 2013 at midnight CET.
Selection Criteria:
Artistic or Scientific Merit
Calibre of the project team
Suitability to the topic
Communication/education/dialogue value
Technical and logistical feasibility
Status of the work (new work, completed work, in progress)
Studiolab partner as collaborator
Submission form
Notification of Selected projects
Selected projects will be announced in April 2013. Applicants will receive notification by email.
