Much more than a handmaid

Much more than a handmaid

‘Rather than art’s role as a ‘handmaiden’ for science communication and marketing, what we’re really interested in is, what becomes possible when artists and scientists work together as equal partners on collaborative research?’. ANAT Director, Vicki Sowry.

Presented by the Australian Network for Art & Technology (ANAT), and taking place in our home town of Adelaide in October, Spectra 2018 brings together the Australian and NZ artists and scientists working at the vanguard of interdisciplinary research. Comprising a symposium, an exhibition and an engaging public program, Spectra sets the stage for a coming together of some of Australasia’s greatest minds and creative thinkers in the one place.

“Collaboration between the arts, technology and science has the potential to create new knowledge, ideas and processes beneficial to each field” says ANAT Director Vicki Sowry. “Artists, technologists and scientists approach creativity, exploration and research in different ways and from different perspectives; when working together they open up new ways of seeing, experiencing and interpreting the world around us.” Spectra 2018 explores this increasing convergence of art and science and considers how each impacts the other and how, together, they shed light on who we are and where we’re heading.

Originally instigated by artist, Mary Rosengren and CSIRO host partner, Cris Kennedy, following their 2011 ANAT Synapse art/science residency, Spectra 2012 was held at the CSIRO Discovery Centre in Canberra, and brought together some of Australia’s leading artists and scientists discussing the use of images and data in the studio and the laboratory

ANAT: A National Arts Organisation based in Adelaide

The Australian Network for Art & Technology (ANAT) is a not-for profit organisation, incorporated in 1988. Based in Adelaide since its inception, ANAT creates opportunities for Australian artists to work in science and research settings, and introduces them to emerging technologies with creative potential. In a nutshell, ANAT does today what other organisations think about doing tomorrow.

Spectra 2018 is presented by ANAT in partnership with the University of South Australia and Experimenta Media Arts, in association with colleagues drawn from the arts and science sectors, and with the generous support of Arts South Australia.

Key Dates

Symposium: 10 October – 12 October 2018
Venue: The University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute and MOD.

Presentations by Australian/NZ artists and scientists working at the vanguard of interdisciplinary research.

Opening Keynote: Dr Jill Scott, Professor Emerita for Art and Science Research in the Institute Cultural Studies in the Arts, ZhdK, in Zürich and founder of its Artists-in-Labs program.

Featured Presenters MEDIA RELEASE August

Exhibition: 4–26 October 2018

Gala Opening: 11 October
Venue: South Australian School of Art Gallery (SASA), University of South Australia

Artworks resulting from interdisciplinary research by Australian and NZ artists with scientists featuring artist Helen Pynor.

Curated by Experimenta Media Art.

Featured Artists MEDIA RELEASE August

Public Program: 8–12 October 2018

BYOLab* Workshop

8 + 9 October at Liverpool Street Studios. 

A two-day intensive workshop introducing artists, designers and other interested participants to the theoretical and practical methods used for manipulating living systems. Presenters: Oron Catts and Devon Ward from SymbioticA.

*Build Your Own Lab

Film Program 

10 + 11 October at Mercury Cinema, Lion Arts Centre

Screenings of experimental, documentary and feature films, curated by Cris Kennedy from the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), featuring Grayson Cooke’s film, Open Air.

Performance Michaela Gleave’s A Galaxy of Suns 

12 October at the Freemasons Hall

Featuring a chorus singing the stars as they rise and set over the horizon. A Galaxy of Suns premiered as the opening event for the 2016 Dark MOFO festival in Hobart.

In Conversation Talks

12 October 

To be announced 8 August.

For more details visit spectra.org.au