LASER Brussels. The Future Is Not Fixed
Participants:
Artist Aernoudt Jacobs
Scientist Prof. Dr. Sophie Opfergelt
Researcher Prof. Dr. Sebastian Sterl
Moderated by: Frank Theys
Chaired by: Alexandra Dementieva
Supported by FÉDÉRATION WALLONIE-BRUXELLES CULTURE.BE , CYLAND and NADINE
EVENT INFO
When: Tuesday 27 January 2026 at 7:00 PM CET (UTC +1). Find your time zone HERE
Where: Hybrid event
- Online: Livestream via YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyBMn0S33UbkadbcfsT-rhw/live
- In-person: Nadine – Laboratory for Contemporary Arts, 📍Nieuwbrug 3 Rue du Pont Neuf / Brussel 1000 Bruxelles
Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges demanding multidisciplinary thinking. Science helps us to see the future, even if that future includes the end of human life as we know it. Yet the interaction between natural and social changes is complex, shifting, and never fully predictable. For this reason, imagination and creativity are essential to envision change, explore possibilities, and develop solutions.
In this Laser Talks series, we speak with scientists and artists from a wide range of disciplines to explore these questions together.
Photo’ credits: Sophie Opfergelt
BIOS
Aernoudt Jacobs is a Belgian artist working primarily with the medium of sound. His work is both phenomenological and empirical. It has its origins in acoustic and technological research and investigates how sounds can trigger sonic processes that will affect the observer's scope of perception. His work focuses on a central question: how can the complexity, richness and stratification of our direct, daily environment be translated into something that can really be experienced.
aernoudtjacobs.info
Prof. Dr. Sophie Opfergelt is an FNRS Senior Research Associate in geosciences at the Earth and Life at UCLouvain in Belgium. Her work focuses particularly on polar regions where permafrost thaw creates new interactions between water and minerals. Her approach lies at the crossroads of disciplines between geology, soil science & geochemistry.
perso.uclouvain.be/sophie.opfergelt/projects/
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Sterl works at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Department of Water and Climate, where he heads a small research group focused on power systems modelling for the energy transition. One of his main research interests lies on investigating the vulnerability and resilience of future renewables-based electricity systems, especially in the Global South.
hydr.vub.be/people/sebastian.sterl
Frank Theys is a Belgian visual artist and filmmaker renowned for his video installations and experimental documentaries. His work, most notably the trilogy Technocalyps, deeply explores the philosophical intersections of technology, science, and society. Blending visual art with critical theory, he examines the future of human evolution and existence in the digital age.
Alexandra Dementieva is a multimedia artist, based in Brussels. The idea of interaction between the viewer and an artwork, mediated by technologically progressive visualization methods, lies at the core of her work. Her installations focus on the role of the viewer and her/his interaction with an artwork and bring forth ways of provoking the viewer’s involvement thus allowing hidden mechanisms of human behaviour to be revealed.
SPONSORS
The Leonardo/ISAST LASERs are a program of international gatherings that bring artists, scientists, humanists and technologists together for informal presentations, performances and conversations with the wider public. The mission of the LASERs is to encourage contribution to the cultural environment of a region by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and opportunities for community building to over 50 cities around the world. To learn more about how our LASER Hosts and to visit a LASER near you please visit our website. @lasertalks
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