Máquinas de ingenio: Jakintzen Bidegurutzean

Tabakalera’s exhibition Máquinas de ingenio. Jakintzen Bidegurutzean showcases a series of prototypes developed throughout 2023 at the intersection of Art, Science, Technology, and Society (ACTS). Led by artists Marina Otero Verzier, Laura MM, Amaia Vicente, and Elsa Yranzo, these projects have been closely collaborated on with scientific and technological partners, such as the Donostia International Physics Center, Tekniker, BCC Innovation, and the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language, as well as with communities associated with Tabakalera.

Curated by Maria Ptqk, the exhibition presents four prototypes in the form of artistic installations exploring the convergence of art, science, and technology to address contemporary challenges. The exhibition spans various fields within ACTS, including robotics, neuroscience, nutrition, data visualization, sustainability, and engineering, connecting practices and reflections on current technoscientific culture.

Backed by CIRCE (Creative Impact Research Center Europe), Tabakalera solidifies its position as a European reference center in ACTS and a platform for artistic innovation. Collaboration with scientific and technological institutions such as the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL), BCC Innovation, Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), and Tekniker, supported by the Basque Government and the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, has been essential for the development of the prototypes.

The four highlighted prototypes in the exhibition include Exografías, focusing on human-robot interaction and exoskeletons; C. El punto justo del conflicto cognitivo exploring the childhood of an artificial intelligence through public participation; Sugar Detox Clinic, addressing cultural and psychological issues; and Compost Computacional, examining the environmental impact of data storage.

The exhibition also provides a comprehensive perspective on ACTS collaborations since 2020, highlighting works such as Clouds of Pollen by Grow Your Own Cloud (Monika Seyfried and Cyrus Clarke), featuring physicist Steen Rasmussen and the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), addressing data preservation in synthetic DNA molecules. Other prototypes include Dream Painter by Varvara & Mar, a robotic arm transforming dream narratives into paintings, and Holobot. Social Garden by VR Kommand, creating holographic installations based on social media behaviors.

These prototypes are presented through audiovisual documentation, and Supraspectives by Quadrature, in collaboration with DIPC and the Ars Electronica Festival, is exhibited in an installative and documentary format. The work uses data from 590 satellites to speculatively calculate and reconstruct images of the Earth, exploring space debris and satellite observation. The exhibition illustrates Tabakalera’s commitment to projects that innovatively merge art and technology, providing a fascinating insight into the intersection of creativity and scientific advances.

The exhibition will be available until February 4, 2024. Over the coming months, it will offer a diverse program of activities, including guided tours, curator visits, scientist-led tours,  science workshops for families, and a series of meetings and conferences combining various perspectives and practices from ACTS.

For more information: Máquinas de ingenio. Jakintzen bidegurutzean.