Capsula

Monica Bello and Ulla Taipalle presented Capsula, which aims to curate and produce participative events that explore the relationship between art, science and nature. This curatorial research platform aims to stimulate critical thinking through exchange of knowledge. Monica and Ulla talked about the projects they have had curated and some ideas they were working at the time.

Capsula biggest project was “Dias de Bioart” which took place for the first time in 2006. This 3-day event consisted of a symposium, workshops and several occasions to dialogue about bioart. The event started with a workshop by SymbioticA on tissue engineering and art. It was a 2-day workshop that took place at the University of Barcelona whilst the symposium was happening at the Centro de Arte de Santa Monica. The Symposium and the workshop were connected by streaming in order for the symposium's audience to see what was happening in the lab.
The event was so successful that in 2007 “Dias de Bioart” took place again however, in a different format: it consisted of a 1-day workshop with Adam Zaretsky, an exhibition and a publication. The exhibition counted with works from Critical Art Ensemble, subRosa, Guy Ben-Ary y Tanya Visosevic, Bioteknica, Stelarc and Nina Sellars, Kira O’Reilly, Marta de Menezes, Brandon Ballangée, Laura Cinti, Elio Caccavale, George Gessert, Adam Zaretsky, Julia Reodica, Jens Hauser and Dmitry Bulatov.

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Another of Capsula's works is “Neurótica”, a research project that examines society’s perception of technological and scientific issues and their impact in the life of individuals. In order to explore some concepts and the way in which they are perceived by society, Capsula organised several events, some of which already took place: a debate on Bio-fear through biotechnology impact, a performance with the Critical Art Ensemble and a discussion with artists and specialists on environment focused on contemporary cities and their connection with climate change.

“Biorama” is another Capsula's ongoing projects and a new direction on art&science, Says Monica Bello. Besides holding a meeting with double sessions in the morning and in the afternoon, Biorama contextualised residencies in the Digital Research Unit concerned with live communication with systems using digital technology. The meeting hosted several artists such as Brandon Ballengé, Andie Gracie, C-Lab, etoy, France Cadet and the London Fieldworks.