We are joined by Hadley Arnold of Arid Lands Institute and Divining Lab who talks with us about designing innovative, intelligent and data-driven systems for water security in the arid world. Hadley discusses her personal journey through the arts and humanities which have led her to understand how art, science, and history can be utilized as complementary tools to enhance the effectiveness of design. Hadley and Victoria also talk about the impacts of climate change on our water systems, and how the pandemic has exposed both vulnerabilities and possibilities for our society.
In this episode we are joined by Karamjit S. Gill, Founder and Editor of AI&Society. Gill discusses his journey with AI&Society how efforts were focused on filling a vital gap – one that was leaving people in marginalized communities out of the dialogue for social context surrounding art, science and technology. Since then, his work as a Professor and Editor have continued to foster the development and structure needed for people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to come together and share ideas. He considers the pandemic to be a pause that still invites us all together to talk about critical issues and bridge these gaps of distances. His advice to media students and artists during this time is to engage with technology for what it can do for you, and not what you can do with it.
This is a very special conversation and is not to be missed.
Haytham joins Victoria from Cairo, Egypt where he discusses the current situation and how it is revealing deep complexities within the Egyptian socioeconomic system. He uses bread, and food distribution as the starting point for discussing these complexities as it consistently circles back to questions of how we eat, sustain ourselves, and take care of one another during these times. He poses difficult decisions that Egypt and much of the Global South are facing such as, "do we die from the virus, or do we die from the starvation?" This somber question resonates and is felt deeply within this conversation, but Haytham very exceptionally addresses these difficult times within his artwork and teaching, through actions of empowerment and protest.
This episode of Particles features the incredible Richard Ross in conversation with Victoria Vesna about his vital work and his perspective of our current position within the pandemic. Richard voices his belief that this time can be harnessed by younger generations to frame a new and different conversation for the future, asking, "how can we initiate a systemic change in how we think?" Within the context of his own work and activism, Richard talks about how he is tending to juveniles in incarceration by visiting, talking and sitting down with them to counter the effects of isolation so deeply felt by these kids. His work fosters dialogues for different points of views to transpire and consciousness and care to truly unfold. Richard’s work is inspiring, and heart felt. This is not an episode to be missed!
Siddarth Ramakrishnan is interested in the cusp of disciplines and the dialog that arises at that juncture. Art and Science have long been thought to be completely divergent fields, but he believes that there is a lot to be discovered by blending the two, and by allowing scientists and artists to engage with one another. He has started an Art Science Collaborative at the University of Puget Sound that organizes salons, panels, and exhibitions. Currently he is a visiting Professor at the Borough Manhattan Community College part of the City University of New York.
We are so fortunate to be joined by artist Anna Dumitriu in Brighton, England for Episode 9 of Particles. Since Anna was a child, she has been thoroughly interested in the London Plague and subsequent infectious diseases - how they are carried and how myths and folklore develop around the unseen. Her work is now focused on these unseen characters, down to their DNA, and considers what roles and implications microorganisms carry in culture, science and economy. Anna leads us on a fascinating journey through her personal history, research and artwork to discuss the contemporary pandemic and imagines what might come from this time. Anna's work and words are reminders to us all that it necessary to conduct "unnecessary" research - following our own threads of what peaks our interests, in the idea that these seemingly unnecessary interests contribute to the world's body of knowledge carrying potentials that may lead to breakthroughs and unexpected collaborations and solutions.
This ArtSci Particle features Stephanie Rothenberg, joining us from Buffalo, New York. Stephanie begins with a potent discussion of her work which is then followed by a conversation with Victoria about the necessity of sentience during this time, asking, “what senses do we still have available that allow us to remain connected?” Stephanie engages this question with her students and with her practice, working with social justice organizations, city planners and stakeholders to make artwork that has potential to effect change and help drive public and social progress. Stephanie also shares her perspective of teaching during this challenging time, considering how she can continue to empower and support her students on a virtual platform.
Clarissa Ribeiro sits down with Victoria Vesna to have an informal interview about her recent work, creating open-source face shields and masks so that everyone can have a means for protecting themselves. Clarissa distributes this work widely, but not through sharing materials – instead through sharing media so there is no contamination in the exchange. She also muses critically and philosophically about the separation humans create between us and other species, and even the language we use to further drive that separation. For example, she reminds us that we are not fighting the virus or at war with it. We are hosts for the virus and have a type of intimate relationship with it because our molecular bodies facilitate its development. Rather than being divisive, Clarissa believes we “must allow the virus inside” to promote adaptation, and a recognition that we are all one.
Clarissa Riberio has been involved with the ArtSci Center as a research fellow. She has also been a vital force in the Sci|Art Lab + Studio summer program, working as a lead instructor and facilitator. It was great to catch up with Clarissa in Brazil for this episode.
Through creative, critical analysis she reminds us that art can contribute to a beneficial outcome of the pandemic. Using the framework of the Minimalist movement of the 1960's, she illuminates that when things become stripped down and removed of context or knowing, we are left with essential facts and a real opportunity to look, feel, and respond with authenticity. From this place, perhaps we can create new and more sustainable perceptions and ways of being in the world and with one another.
Linda has had a substantial impact on us at the ArtSci Center. She has been involved with us since 2006, hosting workshops, lectures, and participating in a number of symposiums. Her work, lifestyle and presence have been vital and warmly influential to us all.
PROVOCATIONS
Provocation 1:
In times like this, we need more un-necessary research.
NOT provocative:
Less un-necessary travel, email and texting and un-necessary consumption.
Provocation 2:
But above all we must re-define the un-necessary.
1. I suggest that in the post-pandemic world, creative practices (ones
that arouse the imagination, senses, and emotions? the marvelous? as
sought by both the Romantic Naturalists and the Surrealists) must be
embraced as essential forms of knowledge production in and of
themselves. These can be constructively applied. Not simply as
embellishment or in a support capacity? But in concert with science’s
rigorous and dispassionate methods.
2. The objective stance we are obliged to take as good scientists in
fact reinforces the notion that humans are autonomous entities/outside
observers, separate from one another and the Biosphere? The virus,
however, powerfully demonstrates the ways in which humanity is
interwoven with and inseparable from the vast milieu of planetary
systems and forces. Can dualism be applied when due, while undue
dualism is undone? [Alyce Santoro]
