Faced with ecological crises, technological upheavals, and social and political transformations, the arts and sciences offer a diversity of perspectives to help us understand our times and imagine alternative futures.

Over two days at Kanal, the symposium brings together artists, scientists and members of civil society through talks, presentations and discussions. Beyond the themes explored, it invites participants to reflect on the practices and methods of collaboration between arts and sciences, and on the forms of research and cooperation they make possible.

The day features two parallel programmes taking place in Boxes 1 and 2 at Kanal.

In Box 1, Ohme and ULB present a programme dedicated to new imaginaries. How can we move beyond the dominant narratives that shape our understanding of the present and limit our ability to envision alternative futures? Bringing together artistic and scientific perspectives, the programme explores how imaginaries can become spaces for critique, experimentation and transformation.

Four thematic sessions explore, in turn, the role of narratives in ecological transitions, how we construct our visions of the future, the reinvention of our sociotechnical systems, and new approaches to research at the intersection of arts and sciences.

Kanal Box 1

09:30 – 10:00 | FR & EN
Symposium Opening

• • •

10:00 – 13:00 | FR & EN
New Imaginaries

Sabrina Parent | Solar Lab (Juliette Bibasse &
Joanie Lemercier) | Maya Van Leemput |
Carolin Schnurrer & Camilla Colombo

• • •

14:30 – 17:30 | FR
New Imaginaries

Florence Minder | Tom Bauler | Régine Debatty
Karine Van Doninck | Khristine Gillard

In Box 2, KIKK asbl presents Shifting Currents – New Directions for Art, Science and European Innovation, the final symposium of the S+T+ARTS Aqua Motion project. Bringing together artists, researchers, technologists and policymakers, the event explores how transdisciplinary collaborations can challenge established assumptions, generate new knowledge and open up new directions for research and innovation in Europe.

Shifting Currents presents the outcomes of two years of artistic residencies and scientific collaborations focused on water-related challenges and aquatic ecosystems. With contributions from other S+T+ARTS projects, including S+T+ARTS ECHO, the symposium also reflects on a decade of collaboration between arts and sciences, advocating for a lasting role for artistic research in European innovation policies and programmes.

Kanal Box 2

10:00 – 13:00 | EN
Shifting Currents

New Directions for Art, Science and European Innovation
S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION
final symposium

• • •

14:30 – 17:30 | EN
Shifting Currents

New Directions for Art, Science and European Innovation
S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION
final symposium

How are research and creative practices evolving at the intersection of arts and sciences? What collaborations and opportunities are emerging in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation? Open to everyone, this day explores these questions through the experiences and initiatives of artists, researchers and professionals working in the field.

Organised in collaboration with the ATLAS network, the morning programme focuses on the stakes of artistic research. Through a series of presentations and personal accounts, artists and researchers will share their experiences, methods and reflections on artistic research practices and their dialogue with the sciences.

At midday, a networking lunch will provide an opportunity to continue the discussions and encourage connections between artists, researchers and other participants.

The afternoon will focus on arts & sciences initiatives in the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. Residencies, research projects, laboratories and support programmes will be presented through the experiences of KIKK, Ohme Lab, Experience Lab, the Corps + programme and the Laboratoires Artistiques du Vivant. This session will offer an overview of the approaches being developed across the region and the opportunities they create for initiating or deepening collaborations between arts and sciences.

Kanal Box 2

09:30 – 12:45 | FR
The stakes of artistic research

Céline Chazalviel & Benoît Hennaut |
Laurence Cousseau | Louise Charlier |
Yvain Juillard | Studio Biskt | ATLAS

• • •

12:45 – 14:15
Networking lunch

• • •

14:15 – 17:35 | FR
Arts & sciences initiatives in
Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles

Corps + | Ohme Lab & Fablab iMAL |
Résidences KIKK | Experience Lab |
Les Laboratoires artistiques du vivant