Understanding Living Culture

With a program that focuses on talk events, but also includes exhibitions, live concerts and workshops, this composite type event is an opportunity for visitors to learn more about YCAM’s research and development activities.

Biotechnology, which takes living organisms as its subject matter, is increasingly applied in such fields as nutrition, medicine, and energy, and has already become a familiar part of everyday life in recent years. On the other hand, the rapid progress of technology has triggered an ongoing discussion revolving around aspects of ethics and safety. Against this backdrop, YCAM set up its own bio lab in 2015, and continues to explore possible applications of biotechnology in the realms of artistic expression and education.

Guests this time include members of organizations that maintain bio labs in Slovenia, Ghana, Indonesia and Japan, and other specialists in the field of biotechnology. Participating from Slovenia is Sandra Sajovic from the Kapelica Gallery. From Ghana comes Harry Akligoh from the Hive Biolab. The Indonesian guest is Lifepatch member Nur Akbar Arofatullah, and the Japanese representative is Kosuke Katano, whose studies as a freelance researcher have been focusing on the democratization of biotechnology. In addition to these experts’ presentations, the program also includes a tour around the concurrent exhibition “wow, see you in the next life. / studies on uncertain information from the future and the past” by contact Gonzo and YCAM Bio Research, and on the closing day, a discussion with the guests listed above.

The idea behind this exchange between practitioners in the field of biotechnology, where issues from a variety of fields come together, is to highlight the functions of bio labs, the relationship between technology and creativity today, and further possibilities for public facilities.