London LASER 01
Tuesday 18 February
6.00 – 8.30pm (talks start at 6.30pm)
University of Westminster, 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2UW
The programme of speakers for the first London LASER event brings together two pioneers of London’s art/science cultural scene and an interdisciplinary antipodean guest. Nicola Triscott will discuss some seminal moments of Arts Catalyst’s 20 year history, Daniel Glaser will share his vision for the new Science Gallery London due to open in 2016, and David Finnigan will talk about engaging audiences through climate science theatre.
Nicola Triscott is the founder and Director of The Arts Catalyst, one of the UK’s most distinctive arts commissioning organisations, distinguished by ambitious artists’ commissions that experimentally and critically engage with science. Now in its 20th year, The Arts Catalyst has commissioned more than 100 artists’ projects, including major new works by Tomas Saraceno, Aleksandra Mir, Ashok Sukumaran, Otolith Group, Critical Art Ensemble, Jan Fabre, and Stefan Gec, and produced numerous exhibitions, events, performances and publications, collaborating with many arts, science and academic organisations internationally. Underpinning The Arts Catalyst’s commissions and exhibitions are its extensive research strand and its programme of critical discussion events, talks and workshops. Nicola will discuss some of The Arts Catalyst’s seminal projects and investigatory themes from two decades of practice. artscatalyst.org
Dr Daniel Glaser is a neuroscientist who has worked for many years promoting public engagement with science. He is Director of Science Gallery London at King’s College London. He was previously Head of Engaging Science at the Wellcome Trust responsible for all external funding for public engagement and the arts. His scientific background involves brain imaging of the visual system. In 2002 he was appointed ‘Scientist in Residence’ at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) and in 2005 received a Cultural Leadership Award from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA). He has presented and contributed to numerous BBC television and radio programmes. Daniel will be talking about building a new venue where art and science collide and how that functions at the interface between the university and the city. london.sciencegallery.com
David Finnigan is an Australian science-theatre artist and festival director. With science-theatre ensemble Boho, David creates interactive performances working with research scientists from organisations such as University College London, CSIRO and the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. Boho has presented work for the Asia-Pacific Complex Systems Science Conference, TEDx Canberra, the Brisbane Festival Under The Radar, the Battersea Arts Centre and the ACT Street Theatre. David will talk about the Best Festival Ever project he has produced in collaboration with the University College London Environment Institute and UK theatre company Coney. Best Festival Ever: How To Manage A Disaster is a show about Systems Science for 25 players that takes place around a table. modellingplay.wordpress.com
Tickets are free but booking is essential at: https://londonlaser01.eventbrite.co.uk
London LASER 