While there may be a limit to what is achievable there is no limit to what we strive for. In respect of this Transnatural festival 2012 goes in search of technology that can support, as opposed to desecrate, the natural world and ecological wealth. The art, design and technology festival will be launched on September 7, 2012 in Science Center NEMO in Amsterdam and consists of an exhibition, a two-day conference, and a weekend full of performances and music. This years' theme is The state of Autonomy. The core question: how can we apply our technological knowledge without infringing upon nature?
Exhibition
The Transnatural exhibition presents a combination of work of designers and artists with research and products from R&D labs of innovation and technology companies. Both established names and upcoming talent from academies and universities are represented. They will inspire the audience with interactive installations and workshops.
DA4GA
The Designers & Artists 4 Genomics Award (DA4GA) is featured in the exhibition. This contest highlights and explores the exciting and novel possibilities between design, artistic practice and life sciences. Conceived by the Netherlands Genomics Initiative, the Centre for Society and Genomics, and Waag, the Designers & Artists 4 Genomics Award aims to stimulate emerging designers and artists to delve into the world of bio-art, and produce new work in close collaboration with the Netherlands most prestigious Genomics Centres, for example in the fields of sustainability, food, health, bio-informatics, agriculture, and safety. Transnatural presents the winning projects of DA4GA, such as the bulletproof skin and a visualization of the urinary diary Aqua Vita.
Besides DA4GA, there are about 30 projects on display, including FACET, a digital mirror projection which combines different pictures of the visitors into one face. With a sunlight-powered 3D printer Solar Sinter prints the glass objects from sand. Conversations between goldfish are visualized by the Augmented Reality installation Mind the Fish. And for the launch of the Nike Free Run + 2 City Pack series, software has been developed which enables runners to 'draw' dynamic paintings with their shoes.
When?
7 September until 7 October
Where?
Science Center NEMO
Oosterdok 2
Amsterdam
