Art and Science in their Natural Habitat
Sep 19th, 2007 by Linda Naiman
Seminar Saturday November 11 from 13.00 - 17.30 h. AmsterdamFor many people the subject of art and science is still hard to grasp. Is there something like artistic science, or scientific art, and whereis the boundary to be drawn as to whether something is art or science? Especially in the case of ‘invisible’ technology it is often unclearwhether something is art or scientific research.For instance, to manypeople nano recording immediately suggests something aesthetic andartistic.The relation between art and science however has a longhistory, with the two going their separate ways only in the 19thcentury. Although since then they have cooperated less, alliancescontinue to exist that lead to mutually productive projects. The ‘invisible’ technology of the last few years has surfaced renewedinterest in collaboration between artists and scientists.Perhaps itis the mythic aspects surrounding nano technology, biotechnology andgenetics that lead to artistic ideas and concepts. That which cannotbe seen and understood whets the curiosity and creativity of manyartists. In many cases they try to embed scientific points ofdeparture, methodology or research in a cultural discourse by ? in thecase of this exhibition ? relating these to aesthetic, ethical orphilosophical questions about nature and the relationship betweennature and culture and the position of mankind in them.Under the title ‘Art and Science in their Natural Habitat’, on thebasis of a number of presentations and discussions the NetherlandsMedia Art Institute is calling for thought about the relation betweenartist and scientist. The discussion focuses on projects that manifesta new practice, in which the relation between nature and culture iscentral. With Evelina Domnitch & Dmitry Gelfand, Driessens &Verstappen, Alex Verkade, Ben Schouten, Koert van Mensvoort, RobertZwijnenberg en Awee Prins.See the full program:The Seminar is part of the Natural Habitat project. The exhibitionNatural Habitat opens Saturday November 4 at 3:00 p.m. and can bevisited untill December 16.