LASER at Aalto Launches with Adaptation and Bodies in Context, Moderated by Laura Beloff

Adaptation and Bodies in Context will inaugurate a series of Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous (LASER) talks at Aalto University. The first event sees Pauliina Ilmonen, Assistant Professor in Statistics, Aalto University; Adam Zaretsky, Professional Lecturer of Media Arts; and Cristina Zaga, Assistant professor, University of Twente, Netherlands, discuss the theme of ADAPTATION / BODIES with critical questions concerning human evolution and the future of the planet. 

"In what ways are we (humans) as a species able to adapt to the changes in our habitat and environment? And what that implies? Are there ways to devise positive strategies (artistic, scientific or other) to transform the acute “shocks” and chronic “stresses” in the global system to not only adapt, but redirect its trajectory? In which situations adaptation becomes problematic and leads to unexpected consequences? How are pandemics affecting societies and changing our relation to bodies; own and others’?"

Organised via Zoom, the event comprises presentations from each member of the panel, a live discussion plus a Q&A session with the audience. Moderated by Laura Beloff, Head of the MA programme in Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art (ViCCA). Thursday 28th January, 6-8pm. Free, open to the public. For event details, click here.

LASER is an initiative launched by Leonardo/The International Society for the Arts, Sciences and Technology (Leonardo/ISAST). The mission of LASER is to encourage contribution to the cultural environment of a region by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and opportunities for community building to over 40 cities worldwide.

The Aalto LASER talk series was initiated by Laura Beloff, Department of Art; Pia Fricker, Department of Architecture; Koray Tahiroglu, Department of Media and they were soon joined by Kirsi Peltonen Department of Mathematics and Systems Analysis and Nitin Shawney Department of Computer Science.

The Aalto LASER talks will be a regular series producing three-four talks yearly, hosted by Aalto University.

Click here for more information.