Extra-curricular activities honours class "VivoArts: Art and Biology Studio - Wet Lab Practice and Bio-Art Pedagogy"

The course is coordinated by The Arts & Genomics Centre and it is part of the Leiden University Honours Programme 2010.

The Honours class "VivoArts: Art and Biology Studio - Wet Lab Practice and Bio-Art Pedagogy" has started! Portuguese BioArtist Marta de Menezes is taking the students to an exciting exploration at the intersections of art and biology.

Follow the student's experiments, readings and discussions at

http://vivoartscourse2010.wordpress.com

The course is coordinated by The Arts & Genomics Centre and it is part of the Leiden University Honours Programme 2010.

Rethinking nature, life and biology under the impact of artworks that engage with scientific knowledge to bring together nature and new technologies. An exciting confrontation with works of bioart and biotechnological art and the new flora of a next nature as discussed in Gianna Maria Gatti's 'The Technological Herbarium'.

Registration now open!

This year's Honours Class on BioArt will be hosted by the Portuguese BioArtist Marta de Menezes!

The course is an art and science crossover lab intended for students from various disciplines to foster interdisciplinary exploration of the intersections between art and life through hands-on laboratory protocols, and critical readings. Together we will explore the ethical debates, issues of access and accountability, and overspecialisation that arise from contemporary biotechnologies and BioArt practices. Lectures will address a range of topics. Besides that, students will be introduced to biological lab practices and will be expected to get their hands wet! 

The course will take place on 8 Fridays, April 16th till June 18th, between 13.00h and 17.00h at the Gorlaeus Laboratory, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden.

The Honours Class is specifically meant for excellent students whose abilities and wishes go beyond the standard programme of their study. If you think you are one of these students and want to register for this unique Honours Class by a world renowned artist, please contact Prof. dr. Rob Zwijnenberg: r.zwijnenberg@hum.leidenuniv.nl Registration closes at March 1st. There are only 15 students allowed to this class. 

The Arts & Genomics Centre is currently looking for funding that will enable us to start a StudioLab: an art/science facility in the Science Department of Universiteit Leiden, with for instance plenty of possibilities for scientists, BioArtists, artists-in-residence, and FabLab users to engage in public activities, cross over discussions, and to use all the wonderful equipment and materials. Besides that, we hope to create opportunities for art and design students to follow basic Art/Science courses. We hope that we will know more in June 2010!

From April to June 2010, The Arts & Genomics Centre will again coordinate the Honours Class on BioArt  2010. Excellent students, allowed to the Honours Class programme, are welcome to register via Professor Rob Zwijnenberg, (r.zwijnenberg AT hum.leidenuniv.nl).

Curious about who will be the next big international BioArtist that will organise 2010's Honours Class on BioArt? Check our news & events page!

For now: happy holidays and a wonderful 2010!

Best wishes,

The  Arts & Genomics Centre team // contact us at info AT artsgenomics.org