BIOTEHNA IS THE ONLY LABORATORY IN SLOVENIA THAT PROVIDES A SPACE IN WHICH ARTISTS, SCIENTISTS AND OTHER EXPERTS CAN MEET AND WORK TOGETHER
The laboratory is open to all who contemplate and research living systems outside of the normal academic and industrial paths.
Cooperation between experts from various fields leads to interesting creative frictions, which often lead to new and better understandings of the artistic poetics used by artists when speaking about their living works of art. The gallery foyer is a space in which anyone interested in the cross-section between art and living systems can get acquainted with the basics. In the same way as an individual would encounter painting elements once he stepped into a painter’s studio, he will encounter the principles of biotechnologies, which will help him understand the artistic effects of the living works of art, once he steps into BioTehna.
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ARTISTS
BioTehna is a laboratory for the artistic research of living systems in which artists research and develop projects that will be presented in the Kapelica Gallery once they are fully developed. The laboratory is equipped with basic biotechnological equipment and working surfaces, which can be used by one or two artists at a time. The bio-technologist Kristjan Tkalec, who leads the BioTehna activities, is there to assist in the research, development and maintenance of the living systems.
SCIENTISTS
Even though BioTehna strives to be equipped as a science laboratory, its main purpose is not for scientists to use it to develop their institutional projects, but to get scientists, artists and other members of the general public connected so they can inspire one another. In this space the dynamic interactions between scientists and sensitive individuals create the possibilities for reflecting upon the effects science has on society and considering the ethical shifts predicted by contemporary scientific discoveries.
INTERESTED PUBLIC
Once a week BioTehna opens its doors to anyone who wants to establish connections with artists, scientists and engineers so that they can together consider the effects biotechnologies have on the individual and society as a whole. In this period anyone can get acquainted with the individual materials, techniques and experts and with their help they can step onto the path of contemporary research art, bio-hacking practices, culturalization of science or start their own business idea.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
At the workshops, hackathons and open-door periods children and youth interested in something else than school truths can get acquainted with creative methods and acquire the knowledge that flows freely between generations, peers and experts in various fields. In an environment that encourages diversity, creativity, innovativeness and experimentation, the youth can test the barriers that limit them and create new paths to overcome these barriers.
TEACHERS AND MENTORS
BioTehna is an excellent experimental platform for testing new informal forms of education and ways of encouraging youth and children to work with adults who inspire them to try themselves in intuitive research and transdisciplinary work methods. On the other hand, this is also an excellent space in which teachers and mentors can test their pedagogic ideas with the knowledge that they will receive a spontaneous reaction from the visitors, co-workers and the interested public.
PATRONS
BioTehna is an environment in which the future is born, which is why it is important that the activities of the platform for researching living systems is supported by those who feel responsible for the society in which their children will live and create. Patrons, sponsors, friends and others who share our vision are invited to join us in our support of the young visionaries and help them develop and create projects that pave the way to a better future.