“Blood”, the current exhibition at Science Gallery Dublin
February 9, 2015 is the deadline for submissions in response to the Open Call issued by “art & science.” At stake is a residency of several weeks duration at the European Southern Observatory in Chile and at the Ars Electronica Futurelab in Linz, Austria. The European Digital Art and Science Network is made up of several European partners, all of which the Ars Electronica Blog will be profiling over the coming weeks. At the first gathering of network members last November in Linz, we had an opportunity to chat with Diane McSweeney of Science Gallery Dublin about her expectations. And she also gave us a recommendation to pass along to all those who are considering responding to the Open Call.
What are your expectations of the encounter of science and art?
Diane McSweeney: I think, for Science Gallery Dublin, we hope that art offers them an insight into science they might not previously have engaged with. Vice versa, if you have someone who is very interested in science it is also a creative endeavor with lots of failures along the way, introducing everyone to a collaborative, multidisciplinary and interesting place. People think science knows everything but it often poses more questions than it can answer, which is not something people regularly assume…
I heard someone say before that science is just the least wrong thing that we know at the moment. I think that complements arts very well.
What do you expect from this collaboration?
Diane McSweeney: It’s similar again – to be able to help provide an opportunity for artists to collaborate with ESO and produce some new work that will inspire. Science Gallery Dublin is delighted to be one of the partners and also to meet and develop a network that can hopefully sustain future endeavors.
The Science Gallery Dublin
Why does Science Gallery fit into this network?
Diane McSweeney: Science Gallery Dublin has produced 32 exhibitions to date about different topics, big broad topics. Our current exhibition is called “BLOOD”, we’ve also covered themes like synthetic biology and the future of water. And we’ve been involved in big projects like StudioLab. We have a large network within science and art worlds that we can reach out to. As every other partner, we also have a passion. We admire the work that our partners have done; so we are looking forward combining energies and working on this together.
The Kick Off Meeting of “art & science” at the Ars Electronica Center Linz. Photo: Martin Hieslmair
Concerning the Open Call: What advice would you give artists who want to submit their projects to “art & science”?
Diane McSweeney: I would say, to be passionate but also realistic. Your project has to have something tangible at the end of it. You can have the best idea in the world but if factors like the timeframe or the money don’t work, you would be ruled out and won’t get the chance of a residency at ESO and Ars Electronica Futurelab. The introduction videos you have to submit are also a great way to express personal feelings. Five minutes is can be a lot of time to explain something. You should really use that visual opportunity to put yourself across, your ideas and your previous works.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication (communication) reflects the views only oft he author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made oft he information contained therein.