The characteristic of modern society are strongly shaped by the two human-created activities: Art and Science. Both practices based on intellectual creativity and they have strong influence to the society by re-shaping our thinking. They raise our experiences and understanding of the surrounding world. Today it is common that the artists and scientists are categorized to the opposite side of the human nature and societal practices: the emotional and rational.
Helsinki University Centre for Environment HENVI together with The Finnish Bioart Society has created the project Art&HENVI to strengthen and develop interdisciplinary art&science activity in Finland. The project will show that artists and scientists can work together to translate factual information into actual and emotional experiences to offer new ways to understand new realities. These experiences can create public awareness and transform it into a culture of responsibility to become a cultural asset which benefits the society at large. The project is part of the Helsinki University program of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012.
Four artists: Ursula Damm, Laura Beloff, Mari Keski-Korsu and Tuula Närhinen are working at the moment in the Art&HENVI. They have attached themselves to the currently ongoing HENVI research programmes which are:
- Forest and Climate Change: Optimizing forest management and conservation to account for multiple interactions with the climate
- Enhancing Sustainable Urban Development through Ecosystem Services – ENSURE
- MULTIDOM: Multidisciplinary assessment of the role of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the environmental status of the Baltic Sea
The Art&Henvi artists will introduce themselves and their works in the Think corner during May and August. Welcome to discuss about the art of making science.
- 24th May 4pm: Laura Beloff tells about experiences of Art&Henvi
- 31st May: 3.30pm: Ursula Damm (via scype)
- 31st May 4pm: artists Mari Keski-Korsu and researcher doctor Martin Welp will discuss about how to observe nature by art and science
The artworks of the collaboration will be presented to the public in the Think corner during November and December with openings on 22nd November.
Read more about the projects and artist’s works:
HENVI’s website »
Art&HENVI’s blog »
Contact information:
Coordinator Kati Vierikko, kati.vierikko(at)helsinki.fi, HENVI
Coordinator Erich Berger erich.berger(at)bioartsociety.fi, Finnish Bioart Society
