Workshop #21 – EPSN

European Performing Science Night (EPSN) is an art and science workshop framed within the European Performing Science Program (EPSP) project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 101162558. The project, which is based on the combination of scientific excellence and performing arts as a common language, involves the Computer Vision Center (CVC), the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM) and the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC). The aim of this initiative is to reduce the distance between science and society, bringing the public closer to researchers and their work, the benefits they bring to society and their impact on everyday life in an experiential and emotional way.

Around 25 selected and awarded scholarship holders will participate in the art-science workshop that will take place from 9 to 29 September 2024 inclusive. 

This edition of the workshop addresses ecosystems, both natural and artificial. On the one hand, digital systems driven by Artificial Intelligence have reached an authoritative role that guides and, in many cases, imposes our way of life in society. Our daily decisions are driven by these technological systems, which in turn are led by industry and business. What we eat, what we like, where we work and how we live are decided or influenced by invisible networks of algorithms.
On the other hand, natural ecosystems remain fundamental to the survival and well-being of all species, including humans. As digital systems become increasingly integrated into our lives, it is crucial to understand how these two types of ecosystems interact and coexist.
This workshop focuses on exploring these complex dynamics, seeking strategies to foster a harmonious coexistence between natural and artificial ecosystems.

The workshop has two phases, the first online and the second face-to-face and intensive, as follows:

PHASE 1 (online) – Knowledge transfer sessions (September 9th, and 10th) The first phase of the workshop, organized in different online sessions, defines the knowledge on which the workshop is based. The Computer Vision Center and the Institut de Ciències del Mar provides sessions in which their field of work and specific challenges and/or objectives related to this workshop will be presented. This information helps participants to work and develop ideas and concepts essential for phase 2.  

PHASE 2 (Face-to-face and intensive) – Conceptualisation, design and public presentation (16-29 September) e eIn this phase of the workshop, participants have to fully develop in two weeks an experience to be presented to the invited public accompanied by the Fundación Epica team and its expert researchers. In addition, this second phase of the workshop includes a program of masterclasses in disciplines such as lighting, production and audience interaction.

The activity concludes with the public exhibition of the results of the art and science workshop carried out during three intense weeks of work. The results of the European Performing Science Night will be officially presented on Friday 27 September as part of the European Researchers’ Night, an initiative taking place simultaneously in 23 countries and more than 400 cities in Europe and beyond. The event will combine scientific excellence with artistic languages where the public will play a central role, contributing, interacting and participating. In addition to the official date, the exhibition will be available on Saturday 28 September. 

Dates: 27 y 28 de septiembre
Doors open at 7.30 p.m., activity starts at 8.00 p.m.
Prior registration is required in order to attend the event.

Do you want to be part of this learning experience? 

Here are the most important details of this call for applications. 

Dates of the workshop: 
Phase 1: September 9th and 10th (online) 
Phase 2: From September 16th to 29th 2024, both included
Location: Barcelona
Positions: up to 30 grants available.
Price: This is a training activity with a scholarship (the training is valued at €3.500,00). The scholarship does not include diets, transportation and accommodation expenses, as well as management and registration expenses. The participant, only in case of being selected, must pay the entity when formalizing the registration the amount of €150, which will cover the expenses of management, registration and insurance.
Profiles: The call is aimed at creative people: artists, scientists and technologists, especially those with multidisciplinary and hybrid profiles who want to be part of a disruptive and innovative experience. 
 
Full availability is required during phase 2. 


Deadline for submission of applications: Deadline closed.

*Consult the complete bases to prepare the candidature

Although each project is unique, some of the previous experiences are referenced below along with their results in audiovisual format and in some cases as scientific publications: 

Neurotransmitters (2023)
Experimento Placebo
Laboratorio Humano
Fábrica de Dopamina
Experimento Sensorial
Placer y sinapsis
Comportamientos celulares

Supervivencia vs Resiliencia (2022) 
Introduction 
Escena I – Grafeno 
Escena II – Fake News
Escena III – Manipulación Neuronal
Escena IV – Roles y Memoria
 
European Performing Science Night workshop (2021) 
Performance video 
Impact Assessment videos
Scientific publication
 
Complex Systems workshop (2019):
Creation Process video
Performance video
Performaforum video
Scientific publication