Open Call Talent Pressure Cooker

Our world is changing at an ever increasing pace and new (bio)technologies, materials and innovations emerge on almost a daily basis. In this evolving landscape the fields of science and art grow more interconnected as scientific processes and theories inspire the arts and vice versa. Bridging the gap between these disciplines presents new research opportunities, which allows us to address societal and environmental issues in a profoundly different manner or even create entirely new perspectives of the world we live in. BioArt Laboratories invites artists, researchers and designers to take this opportunity and apply for the Talent Pressure Cooker.

The theme of this year’s Talent Pressure Cooker will be dedicated to Gregor Mendel, the founder of modern genetics. BioArt Laboratories wants to honor a great name which has been of indispensable importance to our biological knowledge today. The quick pace of technological development too often overshadows the beauty of the biological systems which form the basics of our living world. It is important to appreciate what has brought us to where we are today. 

Mendel’s remarkable discovery, understanding the mechanisms of trait inheritance, are currently mainly identified with its potential for efficient crop production and optimal trait expression. It enables society to peek into the mechanisms which create life and helps to understand why living organisms, as well as we humans, look the way they do. The battle for the reddest tomato or the sweetest berry are the cliches of what his discoveries have brought us. However, engineering living structures exceeds the boundaries of biology, extending its creative potential. 

For this years’ Talent Pressure Cooker we invite top talents from all over the world to submit proposals looking at what genetic engineering can mean in the crossover between science and art. We encourage critical or speculative design, as we welcome artists, designers and innovative talents to use technologies inspired by Mendel such as genetic modification or genetic manipulation. To critically examine the ethical and political questions concerning bioengineering and the dominant discourse around it, and to perhaps even redefine the field. We stimulate participants to explore aesthetic, innovative and ethico-political matters by incorporating science and technology with art and design. Participants are encouraged to rethink society’s attitude towards genetic- and bioengineering by developing ideas that spark a discussion on societal, ethical and existential issues. 

BioArt Laboratories is now accepting proposals from top talents within the domains of art, design and sciences who wish to contribute to the 2022 Talent Pressure Cooker. We offer participants training and guidance in life sciences and laboratory practice as well as access to our facilities in our hybrid laboratory and the unique chance to exhibit their work at a prominent location during the Dutch Design Week from the 22th – 30th of October.

Applications are open until the 30th of April. If you wish to apply, please fill out this application form and send it to contact@bioartlab.com, along with a general work plan, your CV and visual documentation. Questions? Feel free to reach out to contact@bioartlab.com or +31614137395.