Photos, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Gummy-like robots, EPFL MicroBioRobotic Systems Laboratory MICROBS
Culture returns at ArtLab: a glimmer of hope
After five months of confinement, ArtLab plans to reopen on September 3, hosting the prestigious Prix Pictet award. The exhibition, entitled Hope, showcases the dedicated work of twelve photographers exploring the environmental and social crises facing humanity.
From November 5, the exhibition Nature of Robotics: An Expanded Field will occupy Pavilion B. Bio-inspired, soft and reconfigurable robots now offer new scientific perspectives, at the crossroads of computational neuroscience, biomechanics, behavioral systems and machine learning. Through artistic installations and technical perspectives, the exhibition will question the scientific and ethical issues and new scenarios in this expanding field of research by offering the visitor the visions and interpretations of contemporary artists.
The exhibition will include an installation created for the occasion by the American artist duo Melissa Dubbin and Aaron Davidson in collaboration with the Bio and Soft Robotics laboratories at EPFL. This work is the result of their untypical remote artist residency due to the confinement.
An abundant program of activities will accompany the exhibition. To start with, a symposium on November 6 and 7, bringing together scientists, theorists and contemporary artists to delve further into the thought process initiated by the exhibition. A selection of videos by young contemporary artists will present their view on our environment, between artificiality and nature, science and speculation. Throughout the exhibition, guided tours for schools, the general public and activities for young people will complete the offer.
As a highlight in 2020, Nora Al-Badri will present her Neuronal Ancestral Sculptures Seriesin Pavilion A, the result of her residency at EPFL. Using artificial intelligence and data from museum collections, the artist has generated digital artifacts that are both indistinguishable from the original objects and far removed from them. Her approach invites reflection on loss of context in the presentation and interpretation of heritage objects, and authenticity and the place of original digital works in the cultural landscape.
This program is subject to the evolving health situation. Follow our news on artlab.epfl.ch