Space brain Laboratory, Cycle “Towards a Cosmomorphic World,” Station 12 “Cosmomorphic Practices and Asian Environments”

Since 2009, the space brain Laboratory explores practical and theoretical research connecting space, time, body and brain, by bringing together artists and researchers in neurosciences, astrophysics, biology, geology, art, history and philosophy.

For the cycle entitled “Towards a Cosmomorphic World,” launched in November 2016, the Laboratory is expanding its field of exploration to the organic connections uniting humanity to the cosmos, looking for alternative conceptions to anthropocentrism. 

Within the framework of the Station 12 devoted to “Cosmomorphic Practices ans Asian Environments,” the space brain Laboratory proposes to re-evaluate our relationship with the environment through concrete practices that are inspired by a desire and will to become part of it. Founded on a vital co-existence of the multiplicity of beings that inhabit the universe, the philosophies of the Far East have found a striking resonance in the face of collective aspirations driven by the Anthropocene. Liberated from the constituting dualism of Western thought, that considers man and nature as distinct and separate entities, their unifying principles offer other points of reference, shifting us towards a world that is common to both human and non-human entities.

With special attention being paid to this legacy, the Station 12 invites us to consider our place in the cosmos via the relational and experimental dimension inherent to the philosophical and spiritual practices of Asia.

Program:
The space brain Laboratory evolves on a gradual scale, in various stages or “stations” which usually proceed as follow: a study day attended by the Laboratory participants and the specialists concerned, a lecture by a researcher, works shown for study and relevant documentation.

Station 12 will consist of a study day on Friday, November 3 at the IAC. The station will take place from 2:30 to 6pm in IAC’s auditorium.

Free admission upon registration with the visitors department: k.touzlian [​at​] i-ac.eu

Works under study: 
Marina Abramovic, Liu Dan, Agnes Denes, Damien Faure, Robert Filliou, Maria Lai, Wolfgang Laib, Pratchaya Phinthong, Adrian Piper, Charwei Tsai, Chen Zhen…

These works (either originals or documentation) will be presented in IAC’s exhibition spaces (three rooms) until January 7, 2018.

Guests:
Augustin Berque, philosopher, geographer and orientalist, former head of studies at the EHESS at the Laboratoire Chine Corée Japon (China Korea Japan Laboratory).

Jean-Jacques Wunenburger, professor emeritus of philosophy, honorary dean of the philosophy department of Université Lyon 3 (2000–2010), former director of the Institute for philosophical research of Lyon (2004–2011), president of the Gaston Bachelard International Association, co-director of the International Center for Research on the Imaginary.

And for the CNRS 5600 Environment City Society mixed research unit, Atelier 7, epistemology and heuristic:

Bernard Guy, director of research at Ecole des Mines de Saint-Etienne, Institut Mines Télécom (IMT)

Isabelle Lefort, geographer, professor at Université Lumière-Lyon 2

Philippe Pelletier, geographer, professor at Université Lumière-Lyon 2

Participants: 

Denis Cerclet, antropologist, lecturer at Université Lumière Lyon 2

Hélène Meisel, in charge of research and exhibitions at Centre-Pompidou Metz

Pierre Montebello, philosopher, modern and contemporary philosophy professor at University of Toulouse, author of Métaphysiques cosmomorphes, la fin du monde humain (Les presses du réel)

Cyrille Noirjean, director of Urdla (International center estampe & book), psychoanalyst (member of the International Lacanian Association)

Arnauld Pierre, art historian, professor at Université Paris IV-Sorbonne

Jean-Louis Poitevin, doctor of philosophy, writer and art critic

Alexandre Wajnberg, scientist journalist at the RTBF (Journal parlé de Radio Une, Bruxelles)

and the artists: Clarissa Baumann, Benjamin Blaquart, FRAME (Alys Demeure, Jérôme Grivel, Héloïse Lauraire, Sandra Lorenzi, Stéphanie Raimondi), Célia Gondol, Lola Gonzalez, Linda Sanchez, Vahan Soghomonian, Floryan Varennes, Mengzhi Zheng

Initiators:
Ann Veronica Janssens, artist

Nathalie Ergino, director of the Institut d’art contemporain, Villeurbanne/Rhône-Alpes