Artists in Labs

Artists in Labs:

28 March, Jill Scott

The artists-in-labs program, based in Zurich Switzerland started as a pilot project in 2003 to place artists into Swiss scientific research environments. The program examines current debates and discourses that can help art and science gain a closer understanding of each other. As well as her projects, “The Electric Retina” and “Dermaland”, Jill will present on the work of artists based in the artists-in-lab program and their collaborating research centres. These projects, research directives and residencies are designed to inspire artists to create new works of complexity and address the relevant issues about scientific discovery for society. She will also discuss the ways in which scientists in the program are exploring more creative contemporary art approaches to the experimentation, interpretation and communication of their research.

Jill Scott was born in Melbourne, Australia and has been working and living in Switzerland since 2003. Currently she is Professor for Research in the Institute Cultural Studies in Art, Media and Design at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZhdK) in Zürich and Co-Director of the Artists-in-Labs Program (a collaboration with the Ministry for Culture, Switzerland) which places artists from all disciplines into physics, computer, engineering and life science labs to learn about scientific research and make creative interpretations. She is also Vice Director of the Z-Node PHD program on art and science at the University of Plymouth, UK-a program with 16 international research candidates. Her recent publications include: Artists-in-labs Processes of Inquiry: 2006 Springer/Vienna/New York, and Coded Characters Hatje Cantz 2002, Ed. Marille Hahne. Her education includes: PhD, University of Wales (UK) MA USF, San Francisco, as well as a Degree in Education (Uni Melbourne) and a Degree in Art and Design (Victoria College of the Arts). Since 1975, she has exhibited many video artworks, conceptual performances and interactive environments in USA, Japan, Australia and Europe. Her most recent works involve the construction of interactive media and electronic sculptures based on studies she has conducted in neuroscience- particularly the somatic sensory system artificial skin (e-skin) 2003-2007 and on neuro-retinal behaviour in relation to human eye disease (The Electric Retina-2008) and (Dermaland- 2009).

Source: SymbioticA Digest