The exhibition responds to the original Greek meaning of technology: the strife of an individual or group to perfect a particular method. It questions if new collaborations between organisms and technology could lead help Earth’s species to survive the climate crisis. The exhibition contributes to a discussion about a world where humans are no more important than fungi, plants or animals. This idea has been based on the philosophies of the Symbiocene, a term coined by the environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht.
Artworks
The artworks show how different organisms can interact with technology and each other, creating new forms of life. In his kinetic installations Jelle Korevaar combines mechanical technology with animal behaviour to create new forms of life. The Androids series of Wanda Tuerlinckx focuses on the thin line between humans and robots and human life in the near future. Hypergravity Bio Portal by Christiaan Zwanikken confronts us with the ingenious ways in which plants can adapt to environmental changes. The movie Premium Connect from Tabita Rezaire shows parallels between new digital networks and the oldest natural networks where fungi are communicating with roots of trees.
Partners
For this exhibition and podcast the VU ART SCIENCE gallery collaborated with CLUE+, Studiotopia and the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
VU ART SCIENCE gallery
The VU ART SCIENCE gallery focuses on the interaction between art and science. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam encourages the exchange of multidisciplinary knowledge to address some of the most pressing challenges we face as a society. The urgency and complexity of today’s issues demand radical concepts which allow us to leave conventional paths behind and explore new directions.
Culture in Zuidas
The VU ART SCIENCE gallery is located in the New University Building at De Boelelaan 1111. Together with Griffioen Cultural Centre (theatre and courses), Rialto VU cinema and cultural café Bar Boele it creates a new cultural hotspot at the heart of the campus and a meeting place for VU students and staff, as well as visitors and Zuidas residents.
The gallery is open from Tuesday until Saturday from 12am till 6pm. A gallery host is present to tell you more about the exhibition and the artworks.
