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Science-themed art in the spotlight
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Science-themed art in the spotlight

A bacteria-inspired wifi network for protestors, and much more

Eva Amsen
Jun 24
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Science-themed art in the spotlight
mixture.substack.com

Ars Electronica announced the winners of the annual STARTS Prize for science, technology and the arts as well as the winners of the Prix Ars Electronica for media arts. There were lots of science-themed projects in both awards, and here are some of my favourites:

  • Antarctic Resolution - a 1000-page book covering different aspects of Antarctica from scientific, political, sociological, artistic and other perspectives. It was one of the STARTS Grand Prize winners. 

  • Avatar Robot Café- one of the honorary mentions of the STARTS Prize, this café uses robot servers, but each robot is controlled remotely by someone who can’t physically visit the restaurant, such as people with disabilities who are unable to leave their home. Through the robots they can interact with people in the café and feel included.

  • Bi0film.net - a decentralized wifi network booster for civil protests, inspired by the way that bacteria communicate with each other. This project won one of the Golden Nicas at the Prix Ars Electronica. You can read more about this project in my piece for Forbes.com

Bi0film.net umbrellas boost wifi signal. Jung Hsu / Ars Electronica CC-BY-ND

Read more about Bi0film.net


💡 Interesting links

  • The amazing story of Reggie, L.A.’s celebrity alligator. By Corinne Purtill for the LA Times.

  • NPR Shortwave covers agar art, a favourite crafty pastime of microbiologists and biochemists

  • The glass that offers Ukraine hope: Oksana Kondratyeva on the interface between art, science and architecture. By James Dacey for Physics World

  • X-ray imaging reveals why this 17th century painted yellow rose lost its luster. By Jennifer Ouellette for Ars Technica

  • Call for conference proposals: the VOICES conference on September 25th (online) covers the use of music to teach secondary or college-level STEM subjects, and is inviting people to submit videos or suggest presentations on this topic. Deadline is July 15.

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🤷‍♀️ What I’ve been up to

  • The climate change board game article I wrote and shared last month was featured in the ABSW Monthly Showcase. The judges said “It was a great read, was sensitively written and showed the power of something seemingly simple, a board game, to help engage communities and assist in their real-life decision making.” Thank you! 

  • If you’re in London and at a loose end this Saturday (June 25th), why not come see my orchestra perform? London Euphonia Orchestra plays at St Giles (at the Barbican) from 19:30. Tickets here.

  • I’ve been playing with Dall-E mini:

    Twitter avatar for @easternblotEva Amsen @easternblot
    Dall-E knew what I meant when I asked for stained glass mitochondria
    Image

    June 18th 2022

    1 Retweet19 Likes

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