Selected Young Scientists for the STUDIOTOPIA Residency Programme

Meet’s Challenge: Wave of Light: Exploring Marine Phenomena through Art-Science Synergy

This challenge invites a young researcher to collaborate with Entangled Others Studio to explore the dynamic phenomena in the Twilight Zone, focusing on the migratory wave of microorganisms known as marine snow. These organisms rise to the surface nightly to feed, creating a moving wave of light and life. The researcher will be tasked with either procuring and analyzing new data to study additional phenomena within this migratory wave or deepening the analysis of existing data to uncover aspects not previously explored. The collaboration will leverage artistic perspectives to develop innovative visualizations and narratives, effectively communicating complex scientific data and raising public awareness. By integrating artistic creativity, the project aims to uncover new research questions and experimental approaches, promoting a deeper understanding of marine environments and contributing to their conservation and protecting their crucial role for the environment. This dialogue will also provide artists with insights into scientific processes, enriching their practice and creating a mutually beneficial learning experience.

Residency characteristics:

The residency aims to create a dynamic intersection where art and science inform and inspire each other, fostering innovative approaches to environmental research. This initiative aligns with MEET’s mission and six years of experience as a Regional S+T+ARTS Center, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to ad+-dress global challenges.

The selected scientist will conduct research activities focused on the residency’s challenge, collaborating with Entangled Others Studio to explore innovative visions by enhancing and visualizing scientific data. This collaboration aims to contribute to shaping potential future symbiotic environments through new narratives and scenarios.

The scientist will have access to the spaces, facilities, and resources available at the MEET Center in Milan. MEET will also facilitate connections with external research institutions, including the International Laboratory of Plant Neurobiology (LINV), PNAT, the Deacon Laboratory – Institute of Oceanographic Sciences, ML Analytics, and the Area Science Park in Trieste.

During the residency, the scientist will engage in cross-disciplinary meetings and studio/laboratory visits with artists, to be scheduled collaboratively. MEET will organize meetings with LCC members and invite the scientist to participate in workshops and public events.

Selected Young Scientist 

Joan Llort graduated in Physics from the University of Barcelona and completed his PhD in oceanography at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France. He developed his research career at the University of Tasmania, Australia, and later at the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre where he is currently based. Joan’s research focuses on the effects of desert dust and wildfires on marine ecosystems and the marine carbon cycle by combining models, satellite observations, and marine robot data. In addition to scientific research, he is engaged in art-science projects that aim to rethink oceanographic and climate data from aesthetic and conceptual points of view. His involvement with artistic creation has led to his participation in festivals like Sonar, Biennal of Thought-CCCB, and Eufònic.