In an information rich society where emerging science and technology pervades our everyday lives, how can we digest the implications of current scientific and technological advances? A truly cross-disciplinary workshop that sees designers paired with developmental biologists, geneticists, bioengineers and BioHackers is taking place at Science Gallery, Dublin this week to imagine the implications of Synthetic Biology research happening in labs worldwide. Visitors to Science Gallery will have a chance to take part, posing their own questions and thoughts on the topic.

Developed by Design Interactions at the Royal College of Art in London, the workshop is one of a series of exciting activities planned for 2012 in a Europe-wide, EC FP7 funded project, Studiolab. Studiolab explores creative opportunities where art, science and design collide, merging the artist’s studio with the scientific research lab, promoting an interdisciplinary approach that tackles 21st century challenges. It engages students and the general public, providing a template for innovative art science collaborations through an exciting program of hybrid exhibitions, educational programs, events and workshops.

Studiolab is a collaboration between experts from 13 leading European centres of scientific research, artistic excellence and experimental design across 12 countries to propose solutions for environmental, technological and social issues across themes as varied as the future of water, the future of social interaction and synthetic biology.

Some of the questions Studiolab is addressing include – How can we develop creative platforms where individuals can bring together ideas and expertise from a range of art, science and design disciplines to incubate new products, ideas and social interventions? How can we engage a wide audience of European citizens in these processes? A range of activities including exhibitions, events, workshops and experiments are occurring throughout Europe over the next 3 years with an aim to produce a tool-kit for future hybrid projects.

STUDIOLAB PARTNERS:

The project is led by Science Gallery, Trinity College, Dublin The Studiolab network includes: - Le Laboratoire, Paris - Design Interactions at The Royal College of Art, London - Ars Electronica, Linz - MediaLab Prado, Madrid - ISI Foundation, Turin - Optofonica, Amsterdam - Ecole de Recherche Graphique (ERG), Brussels - Leonardo, France - CIANT, Prague - RIX-C – The Center for New Media Culture, Riga - Medical Museion, Copenhagen - Bloomfield Science Museum, Jerusalem

FOR A SELECTION OF STUDIOLAB ACTIVITIES FOR 2012, PLEASE SEE PDF BELOW