In fall 2024, the BORDERLAND Residencies enter their fourth round, offering an exceptional program for international artists in the Rhine-Meuse region. A particular highlight is the two-day fieldtrip “Art & Universe,” which invites artists, scientists, and the public to explore the fascinating intersections of art, science, and ecological transformation. This fieldtrip is one of the key events of the BORDERLAND Residencies and promises to illuminate current developments while opening new perspectives for the future.

Fieldtrip “Art & Universe”: Art, Science, and Ecological Transformation

The fieldtrip “Art & Universe” takes participants to a particularly symbolic location: the Rhenish mining region, Europe’s largest lignite mining area. This landscape, visible from the “Terra Nova” viewpoint and even from space, bears the marks of significant human intervention. However, the region is now undergoing a profound ecological transformation. Once mining operations cease, one of Germany’s largest inland lakes will be created here, fed by water from the Rhine. At the same time, the Rhenish mining area aims to become a model region for bio-based economies.

Borderland Participants leading discussions

“Art & Universe” explores how art, science, and space research can collectively contribute to and shape this transformation. Central to this dialogue is the Cubity Atelierhaus, a space provided by the Cologne-based Findeisen Foundation Britta and Ulrich Findeisen for interdisciplinary projects and studies in architecture, urban planning, and landscape development. The atelier offers artists, scientists, and other stakeholders a platform to engage deeply with forward-thinking topics.

Program Highlights

The fieldtrip “Art & Universe” presents an exciting and diverse program that fosters dialogue between art and science in extraordinary ways:

  • Hinrich Paulsen: Co-founder and senior consultant at mundialis and terrestris, Paulsen will discuss innovative technologies for monitoring and restoring ecosystems. He will present projects that use satellite data to analyze environmental changes and develop sustainable solutions. Paulsen will also highlight how these technologies contribute not only to the study and preservation of landscapes but also to creating aesthetic connections between science and everyday life.
  • Prof. Dr. Sascha Caron: From Radboud University Nijmegen, Caron will provide fascinating insights into extraterrestrial research projects. His lecture will cover recent developments in astroparticle physics and the Einstein Telescope, a groundbreaking project for studying gravitational waves. He will demonstrate how scientific research enhances our understanding of climate and environmental changes on Earth and the role art and design can play in this process.
  • “Moonwalk” with Silke Schatz: On the second day, artist Silke Schatz will guide participants through the Manheim area, a site at the edge of the Hambach open-pit mine. On the barren lands left by mining, nature has begun to recover: once-domesticated plants have reverted to wild species, and flora and fauna are reclaiming the land. This “Moonwalk” offers participants the chance to experience the interplay between nature and human intervention firsthand and reflect on the long-term impacts of landscape alterations.

A Space for Interdisciplinary Exchange

The Cubity Atelierhaus, provided by the Findeisen Foundation, offers an ideal setting for cross-sectoral exchanges between art and science. Here, experts from various disciplines come together to tackle contemporary challenges and develop creative solutions collaboratively.

The BORDERLAND Residencies and the fieldtrip “Art & Universe” exemplify the power of bringing art and science together: generating new ideas and perspectives that help us better understand our world and shape it sustainably.

About the BORDERLAND Residencies

The BORDERLAND Residencies are a unique program that has supported international art and research projects in the border region of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands since 2019. Evolving from the renowned NRW-Ringenberg scholarship, the residencies offer financial support to artists while fostering transnational exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration. The program places a strong emphasis on promoting artistic research and making it visible to the public in the Euregio, a region rich in cultural and scientific resources.

The goal of the BORDERLAND Residencies is to develop creative approaches and solutions for global challenges, with the connection between art and science playing a central role. Artistic residencies are utilized as platforms for interdisciplinary dialogue, where artistic practices, scientific methods, and societal questions intersect and inspire one another.

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