MANNED FLIGHT – ROTIFERS IN ACTION

@PILAR – Triomflaan, VUB – Entrance 6  – 1050, Ixelles | Website : https://pilar.brussels/en/events/manned-flight-rotifers-in-action

What if the laboratory beckons to the studio, and what if science and art intersect? What happens when pencil and petri dish reach out, or when projector and pipette closely embrace each other?

Manned Flight – Rotifers in Action combines science and art in a seldom explored and unprecedented way. More than five years ago, the long-term research in the evolutionary biology laboratory of Professor Karine Van Doninck (ULB and UNamur) took an unusual turn. She started working together with passionate artists from diverse backgrounds, active in various disciplines such as interactive installation, animation film, photography, sculpture, drawing and more.The subject of this research and this exhibition is the rotifer. Though smaller than a millimeter, these multicellular animals represent an evolutionary scandal. The asexual females clone themselves without any intervention of males. In that respect, the title of this exhibition is certainly not without irony!

Rotifers have been evolving on Earth for more than sixty million years. They are particularly strong: although they live about thirty days on average, they can withstand a beating. For example, the rotifers that Van Doninck studies in her laboratory survive complete dehydration or freezing, even after thousands of years. Recently scientists were able to revive rotifers from thawed permafrost. They recover very quickly, even after exposure to high doses of radiation. These purebred superwomen represent a future model organism whose possibilities pose challenging questions for science. At the request of Professor Karine Van Doninck and curator Ive Stevenheydens, the artists participating in this exhibition worked with the characteristics of the rotifers. Although they are not seldom referred to literally in these conceptualized works which were created for this occasion, these creations play more often with the dizzying philosophical register which the characteristics of rotifers induce. These artists therefore investigate the peculiarities of the rotifers in a – literally – experimental way. And they go quite far: some works – or experiments – in Manned Flight, in collaboration with the European Space Agency, even went into space! On the other hand, this exhibition illustrates the importance of imperfection for evolution’s sake, and holds up a poetic mirror to images, such as the age-old human desire for immortality. In addition to this, Manned Flight shows an oversized scientific set-up that transports the visitor straight into the laboratory. In this way we want to provide insight into the fascinating experiments and the findings that scientists conduct on this matter on a daily basis. Alongside the program there will be fascinating lectures and meetings, concerts and performances and of course a smashing party.

We wish you an instructive and fascinating voyage of discovery on this Manned Flight!

Concept and idea

Karine Van Doninck

Curator

Ive Stevenheydens

GROUP EXHIBITION WITH 8 ARTISTS

David Bade, Dara Birnbaum, Gerlando Infuso, Ophélie Lhuire,  Natasha Papadopoulou, Ohme & Aiko Design, SEADS, Caroline Vincart

By means of a creative and artistic language, these creations will allow the public, including the young, to be inspired by science, technology and art and to grasp the transdisciplinary approach used here to better understand fundamental questions related to rotifer research and space exploration.

CONCERTS, PERFORMANCES, TALKS AND LECTURES

More info: https://pilar.brussels/en/events/manned-flight-rotifers-in-action

JOIN THE ROTIFER-B SPACE MISSIONS!

In order to finance the Art & Science exhibition, the project team is looking for partners willing to support the international artists this event will mobilize.  Any funds raised via patronage and sponsorship will be entirely allocated to the exhibition.

Whether as a business or as an individual, you can contribute to this initiative to make the arts and the sciences shine both in Belgium and internationally.

By supporting this project, you will raise awareness among children, teenagers and the general public for research, the sciences, and technological innovation in Belgium.

VISIBILITY AND RETURNS

In return for your support, and according to the level of your participation, we offer a win-win partnership delivering high visibility and a strong media impact to both a Belgian and an international public.

Sponsorship costs, which are subject to VAT, are tax deductible as business expenses. Private donations are tax deductible in Belgium and entitle you to a 45 % tax discount.