Application form
Bioart Society is calling for Finnish artists and artists based in Finland to apply for a month-long art & science research residency in Tokyo, Japan, for autumn-winter 2024. The residency will be hosted by BioClub Tokyo in partnership with the Finnish Institute in Japan.
The residency offers the selected artist international and local travel, accommodation and other residency related costs such as equipment (to be agreed upon separately) up to 4000 euros.
During the residency, the facilities of the BioClub Tokyo will be available for the artist. This includes a fully equipped BSL1 lab, as well as a co-working space with fabrication equipment such as a laser cutter and a 3D printer. Artists need to cover their materials, reagents and plasticware. The residency will also support research visits within the wider network of BioClub Tokyo and the Finnish Institute in Japan, such as the metaPhorest Art & BioMedia Group at Waseda University and the BioLab at the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media. Research that involves GMO work in the lab will need to be approved by the ethical review board of BioClub Tokyo.
Use of the above-mentioned facilities is not essential, we encourage not only artists working with biology and life sciences to apply but also those in the wider field of art and science.
The selected artist is expected to deliver a presentation for the local audience in Tokyo; write short posts to be published on social media through their residency; and make a final report to be published as a blog on the partners websites.
The aim of the residency is to cultivate an ongoing exchange between Finland and Japan within the art & science field. Previous residencies have been awarded to Christina Stadlbauer (2018), Emilia Tikka (2019) and Johanna Rotko (2020), Aaro Murphy (2022), Antti Tenetz (2023), and Lau Kaker (2024).
Application process
The submission deadline is 31 March at 23:59 (EEST).
Applications are submitted online via the form (at the bottom of this page). Those applying need to submit a research plan, portfolio and/or CV.
A shortlist of applicants will be invited to online interviews at the end of April with the final selection made by 1 May.
The selection panel includes members of the Bioart Society, BioClub Tokyo and the Finnish Institute in Japan.
For further questions, please send an email to opencall[at]bioartsociety.fi.
About the partners
Bioart Society Bioart Society is a Helsinki-based association working at the intersection of art, science and society. Established in May 2008 Bioart Society currently has over 150 members in Finland and other countries. The association is committed to developing, producing and facilitating activities around art and natural sciences with an emphasis on biology, ecology and life sciences.
BioClub Tokyo is an Open Community Bio Space located in Shibuya, Tokyo, it is supported and co-located within Loftwork’s FabCafe MTRL space. BioClub Tokyo organises weekly meetings, hands-on workshops and courses and aims to create a playful, yet critical approach to the emerging biotechnologies and their impact on society.
The Finnish Institute in Japan is one of Finland’s cultural and academic institutes abroad. Serving as a link between Finland and Japan, it enables and develops cooperation between actors in science, culture, research and higher education. The Institute is located in Tokyo and organises programmes and projects with local partners, including several ongoing artist residencies for both Finnish and Japanese artists.
Photo: Lau Kaker