Swiss artists-in-labs programme

The artists-in-labs programme is a collaboration between the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) and the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwar. [dated September 2011]

Swiss artists-in-labs programme 
Supported by the Embassy of Switzerland and Pro Helvetia the artists-in-labs programme is a collaboration between the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) and the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwar. 

This residency exchange programme will be conducted under the direction of the Artists in Labs research group at ZHdK. Within this pilot project Surekha Anil Kumar, an artist from India, will be a resident at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG), Zurich and Adrien Missika, an artist from Switzerland, will reside at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology - School of Biotechnology, Bhubaneswar. 

Introduction Art and science constitute two cultures, which have really grown apart. The Swiss Artistsinlabs program is a cultural program devoted to current debates and discourses that can help art and science to gain a closer understanding of each other. The intention of the ail program is to share common goals, to broaden the dialogue, generate ideas and raise awareness of the contributions both artists and scientists can make to the larger challenges of our time. Providing a research environment where these experiments can take place makes all the difference. The ail co-operation with Swiss Science laboratories is a conscious attempt to encourage the development of the primary creative forces shared by both disciplines: the quest for interpretations of nature, matter and human desire as well as the interest to comprehend, explore, reveal, sustain, create and build. 

The objectives of the residency programme are: to give artists the opportunity to be immersed inside the culture of scientific research in order to develop their interpretations and inspire their content. to allow the artists to have an actual “hands on” access to the solid raw materials, pertinent debates and scientific tools to encourage unique potentials and allow them to attend relevant lectures and conferences held by the scientists themselves. to help scientists gain some insight into the world of contemporary art, aesthetic development and the semiotics of communication that are used by artists in order to reach the general public. to encourage further collaboration between both parties including an extension of discourse and an exchange of research practices and methodologies. 

Focus Science Disciplines: life sciences, physics, cognition, engineering and computing 
Art Disciplines: art researchers-film, video, new media, sound art, sculpture, architecture, theatre and dance. 

More: http://artistsinlabs.ch/lang/en/