For the next four months, these 30 talented individuals will collaborate under the guidance of three mentors to research, develop, and exchange ideas with scientists from prestigious Fraunhofer Institutes. The overarching goal of this unique initiative is to become innovation catalysts, fostering a seamless exchange between arts, culture, science, and high-tech. The ultimate aim is to create a valuable learning experience for all involved, culminating in the filtering and exhibition of the outcomes at prestigious events like Ars Electronica & WRO.

During the opening event, Jurij Krpan from the Slovenian art and science institution BioTehna of Kapelica Gallery gave an inspiring keynote speech in which he emphasized the role of participants as catalysts in the social innovation process. Such catalysts can momentarily align the fields of art, culture, science and technology and create new connections that have the potential to push the boundaries of creativity and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

In the further course, the participating artists, together with the research partners, familiarized themselves with the basics, processes, tools, machines, materials and laboratory facilities that form the resources for future artistic research and development in their chosen subject areas.

Shaping the invisible: Folding DNA strands and rendering structures on the nanoscale

Under the direction of Carolin Liebl and Nikolas Schmid-Pfähler, the group is exploring the complicated world of DNA folding and nanoscale structures. At the Center for Microtechnologies at Chemnitz University of Technology in cooperation with Fraunhofer ENAS, the participants immerse themselves in the nanosphere.

Metal Data Solid Culture – Information and its protection as an artistic medium

Under the direction of PAWEL JANICKI at FRAUNHOFER IWU, this project explores forms of information protection through shaping and encoding with artistic expression. The artists will explore how data comes together encoded in metal forms to create works that question our perception of information and its preservation.

I N T E R S P A C E Co-Creation with Mushrooms

Under the direction of NOOR STENFERT KROESE at FRAUNHOFER IWU, this project ventures into the world of co-creation with fungi. The artists will explore the symbiotic relationship between humans and fungi and create objects that reflect the profound connections between the natural and our world.

The foundations for the individual artistic projects have now been laid. The coming weeks promise many discoveries. We will keep you up to date.