Ways of seeing: life – glass – chem workshop
9–19 April 2024 (9–12 April Optional introductions / 15–19 April Main workshop)
Working hours approx. 09:00-16:00 each day
Biofilia, Kemistintie 1B, Espoo

Ways of seeing: life – glass – chem is a multi-day workshop organized in cooperation with Aalto University Department of Art & Media and Bioart Society, and hosted by Laura Beloff.

The workshop is framed by 'ways of seeing' with an emphasis on looking at, through and with scientific instruments. What do we expect from scientific knowledge and how are we accustomed to ‘seeing’ with it? How does this frame our view and understanding of the world and forms of life? Are there other viewpoints we need to consider?

Guided by these questions and perspectives, this unique workshop fuses working with living matter, glass work and chemical processes. During the workshop we will explore forms of nurturing life, and will conduct the ‘golden rain’ alchemy experiment, as well as experiment with making simple glass laboratory tools.

Guest speakers will also be giving presentations during the workshop.

Practicalities

Please note that those chosen to join this workshop are required to complete the first part of the Biofilia ABC course prior to the workshop online. The online course equates to roughly 10 hours of work. We will provide the chosen participants with the necessary material and links to complete the ABC course by Sunday 7th April 2024.

The workshop takes place in the Biofilia lab, glass workshop and lecture space at Aalto University and combines hands-on learning with lectures and discussions. The first (optional) week (9–12 April) consists of the second part of the ABC introduction course at the Biofillia Lab (two days), followed by an introduction to the glass workshop (two days). The second, main week (15–19 April) consists of morning lectures accompanied with afternoons at the Biofila lab and glass workshop.

Participants chosen via this open call are provided free lunch each day. We offer support for travelling and accommodation, more information on this below.

How to sign up

7 participants are chosen to join this workshop via this open call. Preference is given to applicants who can be present for the whole duration (9–19 April) of the workshop, but applications from those who are able to join only for the second week (15–19 April) are also considered. All participants have to complete the online ABC course before attending the workshop. No prior knowledge is required.

To apply, please fill the form at the bottom of this page. In case you need monetary support for travelling and/or accommodation, please check the applicable boxes. Attach your CV in PDF format to your application.

The deadline for applications is 18th February 2024. We will inform all applicants about the selections by the beginning of March.

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, send a message to opencall@bioartsociety.fi.

Additional 7 participants will be chosen amongst students from Aalto University via the Sisu system.

Accessibility information

The entrance to the Biofilia lab building has three steps (18 cm high) and a ramp. The entrance door has a 4 cm threshold and the inner door 2 cm threshold. In the lab the tables are 90 cm high and distanced at 55-120 cm which can be adjusted. Toilets are located close to the lab but the nearest toilets that comply with wheelchair accessible recommendations are located in the lobby of the building and in the building next door.

The workshop is part of BioFacts – a programme that consists of a series of artistic research work labs. The programme introduces fundamental techniques of working with biological arts and serves as a vehicle to discuss art and science, materials, techniques, safety and policy, biopolitics, ethics as well as artistic examples through hands-on work.

BioFacts is supported by the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation as well as through Restorative Practices, a Creative Europe collaboration project co-founded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. Restorative Practices connects like-minded organisations focused on sustainability and bioart practices to enhance better future transmission of knowledge and build new realities through this intersection.