LASER Talks in Bucharest: Natural | Artificial

Exploring new forms of coexistence and interdependence. With Floriama Candea, Anna Dumitriu, and Alex May.

Chaired by: Natalia Marin & Alex Radu 

EVENT INFO

• When: December 5, 2024 18:00 EET (UTC +2) Bucharest, Romania

• Where: /SAC @ MALMAISON Atelierele Malmaison, 2nd floor, Calea Plevnei 137C, București 060011

• Website:  www.sac-malmaison.com

 EVENT CONTEXT

Building on the impact of a recent exhibition that sparked broad interest across Bucharest, this talk delves into the dynamic boundary between the natural and the artificial, examining how contemporary art and science approach our rapidly evolving symbiosis with technology. The event brings together leading voices whose work redefines the meanings and implications of what is “natural” and what is “human-made.” As the artificial increasingly integrates into our biological and environmental systems—whether through genetically modified organisms or advanced healthcare technologies designed to reduce human error and enhance efficiency—our understanding of nature is continually reshaped. In today’s interconnected world, where the artificial is embedded within natural ecosystems and influences nearly every aspect of daily life, the line between these realms blurs, challenging our perceptions and prompting new questions. This discussion will probe how technology is not merely coexisting with nature but becoming deeply interdependent with it, forging new forms of life, systems, and connections that call for a deeper cultural and ethical understanding. From biotechnology that reimagines life forms to the digital tools transforming our healthcare systems, the speakers will explore how art and technology together can inspire reflection on the evolving definitions of authenticity, sustainability, and identity. Audiences are invited to join this expansive dialogue on the possibilities and implications of a future where the natural and the artificial coexist, influence, and perhaps rely on each other in entirely new ways.

SPEAKERS BIOS

Floriama Candea explores the dynamic relationship between objects and perception, crafting hybrid visual identities that invite new ways of seeing. Her versatile approach includes interactive, kinetic, and video installations, as well as sculpture, experimental electronics, drawing, and printmaking, with a particular focus on bio-based materials. At the intersection of science, philosophy, and technology, her work questions humanity's role and the stakes of the Anthropocene as we stand at the edge of a new era. Through her installations, she challenges entrenched beliefs, encouraging us to re-evaluate the mental frameworks that shape our understanding of the present and, ultimately, the future. Her work activates the imagination, serving as portals to alternative narratives and possible scenarios. Candea is also the co-founder of Qolony, a Bucharest-based cultural NGO dedicated to bridging disciplines and fostering connections among contemporary artists, scientific researchers, and technologists, all united by a commitment to interdisciplinary creativity. www.floriamacandea.com

Anna Dumitriu is an award winning, internationally renowned, British artist known for her pioneering work in BioArt, sculpture, and digital media, examining humanity's complex relationships with infectious diseases, synthetic biology, and robotics. Dumitriu's work has been featured in major international exhibitions at institutions like The Nobel Prize Museum, ZKM, Ars Electronica, The Picasso Museum, and MIT Museum, and is held in prominent collections including the Science Museum London and ZKM. A distinguished speaker, Dumitriu has presented at prestigious venues such as TATE Modern, Princeton University, and UCLA. She served as the 2018 President of the Science and the Arts section of the British Science Association. Her work is widely published, including in the book Bio Art: Altered Realities and journals such as Frieze, Nature, and The Lancet.

Dumitriu holds visiting research fellowships at the University of Hertfordshire and Waag, and has artist-in-residence roles with the University of Oxford and the UK Health Security Agency. Her current collaborations focus on a range of interdisciplinary topics, from AI in healthcare to sustainable biomaterials in wine production. Recent projects include work on CRISPR technology with the EU H2020 CHIC Consortium, exploring the future of cities with robots, and studying the impacts of the pandemic through the "Collateral Effects" project. Her art challenges audiences to reconsider the relationship between science, technology, and society. www.annadumitriu.co.uk

Alex May is a British contemporary artist whose work examines how technology shapes our experiences of time, memory, and cultural narratives. Working at the intersection of art, science, and technology, he employs a range of digital media, including virtual and augmented reality, photogrammetry, algorithmic photography, and interactive robotics. May's work has been showcased internationally at prestigious venues such as Ars Electronica, HeK (Basel), the Eden Project, Science Gallery in Dublin and Bengaluru, and the Beall Center for Art + Technology at the University of California, Irvine. In addition to exhibiting, May frequently speaks on topics related to digital art, art-science collaboration, and digital preservation. He has presented at institutions including UCLA and Chelsea College of Art, and he actively leads workshops on digital art techniques globally, including for the International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA). Since 2011, May has been a Visiting Research Fellow and Artist-in-Residence with the computer science department at the University of Hertfordshire. He also held teaching roles in Digital Media Arts at the University of Brighton and the University of Hertfordshire, fostering interdisciplinary exploration for over a decade. Through his art, May prompts audiences to rethink their relationship with technology and its influence on modern life, pushing boundaries in contemporary digital and interactive art. www.alexmayarts.co.uk

SPONSORS

LASER Talks Bucharest is hosted and supported by /SAC, an independent, non-profit initiative designed as an alternative to traditional organizational and institutional frameworks. Its mission is to contribute to the historical and contextual evolution of contemporary independent art through dedicated resources and strategic approaches, fostering a direct and unfiltered dialogue between creators and audiences. Operating as a dynamic platform for organizing, producing, and sharing work, /SAC empowers creators to engage authentically with an informed and invested public. Positioned as a cooperative link within the local arts ecosystem, it seeks to establish fresh avenues for art placement, communication, and identity-building. As a transdisciplinary interface, /SAC bridges artistic and curatorial practices, creating collaborative networks across disciplines to shape and amplify the discourse and production of contemporary art. Through its core pillars—Exhibition, Research, and Communication—it engages with artists, curators, and theorists from local and global art communities to develop timely, responsive contexts for artistic dialogue and interaction, nurturing spaces that embody the spirit of creative exploration and expression. www.sacbucharest.com & www.sac-malmaison.com