Open Call
TPC 2019

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.

In 2019 BioArt Laboratories diverts its main focus to our society’s struggle with safeguarding that which is precious to us. This year’s Talent Pressure Cooker explores one of the most multidimensional, multifaceted and probably most misunderstood and undervalued phenomena we deal with as a society: Water.

The last century, the relationship between mankind and water has been immature, to say the least. The deep-rooted respect and awe past generations and cultures had for water seems to have completely evaporated with the coming of industrial advancements and population growth. Important reservoirs have shrunk or completely disappeared, water pollution gave rise to ‘cancer villages’ in China and dumped ammunition from WOII is now starting to degrade, slowly secreting hazardous chemicals into the North Sea. Things have gotten so dire that every recent year, more people have died from unsafe water than from war or any other form of violence. Reinterpreting our relation with water would not only trigger solutions for these problems, but it will also provoke unexpected, revolutionary applications for water that will determine our development as a civilization.

For this years’ Open Call we invite top talents from all over the world to submit proposals looking at what Water can mean in the crossover between science and art. Examine the aesthetic, physical-chemical and societal qualities of water in the broadest sense of the word. Decontextualize water as a whole by exploring undiscovered courses in which our relationship with water could travel. Define with us society’s attitude towards water 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 2019 Talent Pressure Cooker. We offer participants training & 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 19th – 27th of October.

Want to know more about how to submit a proposal? Check our Open Call Publication and our TPC Submission Guide. You can send in your application by completing the Application Form and sending it to contact@bioartlab.com. Please follow the instructions given in the documents!