Dive into a world where art and science seamlessly intertwine! The exhibition takes you on a visual journey, exploring the global survey on animal behavior. Artists, inspired by collected videos, have crafted their own interpretations of themes like extinction and habitat preservation, all converging in this unique showcase. As Swissnex in China assumes the role of official LASER (Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous) Host China, this event is also part of LASER Talks series facing the global community of art-science audiences.
Join us for the opening where Swissnex in China will host a panel discussion with the exhibition’s curators, Katharina Weikl (Head of Art x Science at the University of Zurich) and HAN Bo (Poet & Artist). Gain insights into the curatorial concept and the stories behind this interdisciplinary project. Dr. LI Bicheng from the Shanghai Natural History Museum, representing the wildlife researchers involved in the exhibition, will also discuss his participation in the global research network and share his unique perspectives on biodiversity.
Step into the mesmerizing world of wildlife and be part of the conversation on the “Mirror of Nature.” Your presence will add to the richness of this immersive experience, and we can’t wait to share this wonderful journey with you!
Program
At MoCA Pavilion (No.215 West Nanjing Road, Shanghai)
- 3:30pm – Registration
- 3:45pm – Curator's guided tour of the Exhibition
At Roof 325 (5F, No.325 West Nanjing Road, Shanghai)
- 4:25pm – Welcome by Swissnex in China
- 4:30pm – Panel Discussion: Dr. Katharina Weikl, HAN Bo and Dr. LI Bicheng
- 5:30pm – Q&A Session
- 6:00pm – Networking Reception
iCal / Outlook
Event start time
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China
3:30PM -
Boston and New York
2:30AM -
Brazil
4:30AM -
India
1:00PM -
San Francisco
11:30PM -
Switzerland
8:30AM
Mirror of Nature: Biodiversity Through the Lens of Technology and Art
December 15 2023 – January 15 2024, Shanghai
This event is part of Mirror of Nature, a collaborative project between Swissnex in China, the University of Zurich, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai. Together, we will explore biodiversity and conservation projects worldwide by presenting an immersive exhibition and curating a series of talks and discussions alongside it. At the intersection of art, science, and technology, we hope to continue the scientific narratives of wildlife conservation in China and provide a Sino-Swiss platform to foster more meaningful exchanges among wildlife researchers, citizen scientists, artists, and the interested public.
Speakers
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Bio
Dr. Katharina Weikl
Head of Art x Science at University of ZurichDr. Katharina Weikl works at the intersection of art, science and society and holds a Ph.D. in the history of science from the HU Berlin. She is the Head of Art x Science Office at the University of Zurich, where she works with scientists from all disciplines and creates collaborations with a wide range of artistic fields. She is mostly engaged in the field of ecology – a central research area in which the University of Zurich is currently ranked 5th in the world by Shanghai Ranking. Notable exhibitions she has curated in Switzerland include “Planet Digital” at the Museum für Gestaltung, “100 Ways of Thinking” at Kunsthalle Zürich, and “Transactions” at Manifesta 11 in 2016. Internationally, her work is shown at the Mun Gallery at the DDP in Seoul, South Korea, as well as the Science Gallery, Bengaluru, India.
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Bio
Han Bo
Poet, artist, novelist, playwright, travel writer, curator, graduate of Fudan University, honored writer at the University of Iowa in the United StatesHe has published Chinese poetry collections such as “Borrow Deep Heart,” “Fly to the Temple,” English poetry collection “The China Eastern Railway,” Russian poetry collection “A Banquet of Knots,” German poetry collection “Chinese Box” (collection), and novels such as ” A life or suite with three bedrooms, one living room and one dining room.” As well as seven travel literature works including “Following in the Footsteps of Dionysus” and “Saints and Graffiti”. He has participated in the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa in the United States, the Paris Anglo-French Poetry Festival, the Berlin International Poetry Festival in Germany, and the Russian International “Moscow Poet Biennale,” among others. In 2019, he curated the poetry film short “Elegy,” which was shortlisted for the International Competition Unit of the 2020 Berlin Zebra Poetry Film Festival. In 2021, he held a solo exhibition at the Shanghai Contemporary Art Museum titled “How to Drink up the Sea in a suite with three bedrooms, one living room and one dining room?”
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Bio
Dr. Li Bicheng
Associate Professor, Shanghai Natural History MuseumDr. Li Bicheng, Associate Professor, currently works at the Collection Conservation Research Center of the Shanghai Natural History Museum (branch of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum). He is mainly engaged in research related to animal population ecology and conservation biology. He has undertaken and participated in more than 30 research projects, published over 30 research papers, authored or contributed to 7 monographs including “Scientific Investigation Report of Dajinshan Island” and “Chinese Wetland Waterbirds,” and holds 2 patents. In 2008, he was awarded the second prize of the “China Ornithology Basic Research Incentive Fund.” In 2016, he was honored with the title of “Shanghai Youth May Fourth Medal Collective.” In 2020, he received the 7th Wildlife Guardian Award – Frontier Guardian.
About Art x Science Dialogues
Art x Science Dialogues is an event series that looks at new interdisciplinary initiatives and trends and presents artistic projects in which scientists and research engineers are deeply involved. Swissnex in China acts as the multidisciplinary focal point that connects people and institutions while curating trend-setting topics. The goal is to build a global community of artists, scientists and innovators who are interested in the exchange of novel ideas and opportunities, thereby establishing a sustainable framework that fosters long-term art-science collaboration.
About LASER Talks
Leonardo/ISAST LASER Talks is a program of international gatherings that bring artists, scientists, humanists, and technologists together for informal presentations, performances, and conversations with the wider public. 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 50 cities and 5 continents worldwide.
