Kilpisjärvi Digital Science Trails - open call

We are glad to announce an open call for a one month fully-funded Ars Bioarctica production residency during 2022-23 at the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station. The residency is part of the project “Pathways to Science and Research Stations' R&D&I services”, in which the Kilpisjärvi digital science trails are developed. We are calling for one artist to produce a work for the trails. The work will be in digital form and part of an online trail application without any physical intervention. These contributions could be for example in the form of sound art, poetry, photography, video, interactive applications or others. The residency is organized in collaboration with the University of Helsinki and funded by the European Regional Development Fund via the Regional Council of Lapland.

The trails will consist of interesting and location-relevant scientific information presented without jargon, using suitable digital solutions like QR codes, apps, videos, podcasts, etc. The trails will cover scientific topics on the biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, cryosphere, anthroposphere, and interactions between these. There will be a strong focus on the impact of climate change on these spheres in Kilpisjärvi, and thus, “change” and “time scales” will be underlying themes of the trails. The trails will be implemented in the area of Saana and Tsahkaljärvi in the vicinity of Kilpisjärvi. The purpose of the trails is to provide information to the general public, improve visitors' understanding of their travel destination, and to develop scientific tourism in the area.

We invite applications from professional artists from Finland and abroad. The Kilpisjärvi Biological Station offers the artists access to scientific equipment, laboratory facilities, the library, and a seminar room as well as usage of field equipment. A dedicated mentor in Kilpisjärvi will familiarise residents with the local environment and customs.

The residency is fully funded. The grant covers travel, accommodation, daily allowances, and material costs. The artist fee is 3000€. 

The evaluation of the applications emphasises the quality of the proposal, how well the project matches the Science Trail's objectives, and its feasibility to be carried out within the budget constraints. More info about the Kilpisjärvi biological station can be found here.

The selected artist is announced by the end of June 2022.

Application must include:

• A completed application form below

• CV, max 3 pages, pdf

• An idea, max 500 char

Please, send any inquiries to Bioart Society / Piritta Puhto, piritta.puhto@bioartsociety.fi.

Bioart Society has been organizing the Ars Bioarctica residency programme together with the Kilpisjärvi Biological Station of the University of Helsinki in the sub-Arctic Lapland since 2010. More than 120 artists, scientists, and practitioners have already had their residency at the Station, focusing on topics related to biology, ecology and life sciences. 

(Image Thomas Grill)