Sci_Art 2024

SCI_ART 2024 (April 6-7, 2024) brought together artists, scientists and academics for a two-day program of panel discussions, artist talks and performances to present an array of diverse viewpoints and approaches to understanding artistic and scientific collaboration. The symposium also examined new art forms and technological advances that arose from bringing together scientific research and artistic practice. Many of the invited artists and thinkers in the symposium addressed some of the most challenging issues of our time, from environmental degradation to social challenges, opening up new ways of thinking and seeing the world around us.

Organizing Committee: Lisa Butzenlechner, Inès Mastellotto-Lesny, Simon Pribac, Valentine Renaud, Jason St-Laurent, Pia Stenholt + Jan-Terje Studsvik Storaas

Presented by: SAW, Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, Austrian Embassy, Austrian Cultural Forum Ottawa, Embassy of Denmark, Embassy of France, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Embassy of Norway, Embassy of Bulgaria, Embassy of Ireland and Culture Ireland / Cultúr Éireann

Funding Partners: Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and City of Ottawa

Cultural Partners: Ottawa Art Gallery, University of Ottawa, Sporobole, Artengine, Digital Arts Resource Centre, Korean Cultural Centre Canada, Društvo VTIS and Ars Electronica
Adrian Harewood (Canada) is a Veteran CBC journalist; longtime anchor of CBC Ottawa News at Six (2009–2022) and host of All in a Day. Now a full-time faculty, Carleton University School of Journalism and Communication. 2020 Canadian Screen Award, Best Local Anchor.
Barry Ace [Anishinaabe (Odawa)] (Canada) is a multidisciplinary artist, citizen of M'Chigeeng First Nation. Known for merging traditional Great Lakes beadwork with reclaimed electronic components. 2015 K.M. Hunter Award; 2023 Sobey Art Award nominee.
Basil Al-Rawi (Ireland/Iraq) is a multidisciplinary artist working in photography, VR, and simulation. Creator of House of Memory, a VR reconstruction of Iraqi diaspora memory. PhD, Glasgow School of Art; 2025 Gibson Travelling Fellowship recipient.
Cecilie Waagner Falkenstrøm (Denmark) is a pioneering AI/LLM-based art since 2016. Founder of studio Artificial Mind. Created the first AI/blockchain artwork launched to the ISS. Two-time Lumen Prize winner (2017, 2021); Honorary Mention, Prix Ars Electronica (2023). Creator of Tech for Democracy.
Dr Chessa Adsit-Morris (Canada) is a Curriculum theorist and environmental educator; faculty, Emily Carr University of Art and Design; former Assistant Director, Center for Creative Ecologies, UC Santa Cruz. Author of Restorying Environmental Education.
Darsha Hewitt (Canada) is a new media artist examining communication technology through DIY electronics. Guest faculty, Sound Studies and Sonic Arts, Berlin University of the Arts. Creator of High Fidelity Wasteland. Recipient of Stiftung Kunstfonds and Canada Council grants.
Dr Heather Heather (Canada) is an Associate Professor and University Research Chair in Global Change Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa. Studies how species respond to global change, particularly butterfly phenology and climate sensitivity.
Dr Jim Davies (Canada) is a full Professor, Cognitive Science and Computer Science, Carleton University. Director of the Science of Imagination Laboratory. Author of Riveted and Imagination. Co-host of the Minding the Brain podcast.
Justine Emard (France) is a visual artist exploring relationships between human existence and AI, robotics, and neuroscience. Created Co(AI)xistence with Ishiguro and Ikegami labs (Tokyo/Osaka). Artistic director of the French Pavilion's permanent exhibition at Expo Osaka 2025. Laureate of "100 femmes de culture" (2023).
Dr Maša Jazbec (Solvenia) is an artist, academic researcher, curator and producer, working in various fields where science and art intersect. Her multifaceted work focuses on the impact of robotics and other modern technologies on the lives of humans and other living organisms.
Paul O'Neill (Ireland) is a Postdoctoral researcher, ADAPT Centre for AI-Driven Technologies, UCD. Creator of Greetings from… and the Dublin Infrastructure Tour, examining the physical/corporate infrastructure of the internet. Research lead, Beta Festival of Art & Technology.
Rebecca Merlic (Hungary/Austria/Germany) is a European digital artist, architect, and experimental filmmaker; university assistant, Experimental Game Cultures, University of Applied Arts Vienna. GLITCHBODIES received an Honorary Mention at Prix Ars Electronica (2023).
Rebekka Sæter (Norway) is a movement-based artist and environmental educator from Oslo, Norway. She graduated with an MA in Transcultural European Outdoor Studies in 2014. She has studied Choreography at Dartington College of Arts and Inter-University Centre for Dance Berlin (HZT) and Contemporary Performance Practice at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She is the Artistic Director of the interdisciplinary art project ghosting Glacier and has worked as a guide and environmental educator across Scandinavia.
Susi Gutsche (Austria) is a research-driven artist with a background in Social Design – Arts as Urban Innovation, humanities, and scientific laboratory work; MA, Social Design, University of Applied Arts Vienna. Creator of Trace Waste, a S+T+ARTS residency co-commissioned by Sony exploring urban waste mobility.
Dr Valerie Wolf Gang (Solvenia) is an intermedia artist, researcher, educator, and senior military specialist working at the intersection of contemporary art, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, defense systems, and digital culture.She is a recipient of the Ivana Kobilca Award, the Vesna National Film Award and the Fulbright Award.