Examining ecological conjunctions of contemporary arts and natural sciences

In the 21st century, a growing interest in art–science collaborations has inspired notions of a ‘new’ art movement. Nonetheless, the visual arts and the sciences (such as astronomy, biology and geography) have a complicated history shaped by mutual inspiration, co-optations, and unequal processes of colonialization. Given that the conjunctions of contemporary arts and natural science remain conditioned by multiple historical trajectories, this research project aims to offer a more nuanced understanding of art–science interactions, focusing on their potential to contribute to civil society formation and sustainable futures in various socio-political and cultural contexts (Finland, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia). Drawing from the dynamic theory of civil society (Klein and Lee 2019), the model of knowledge generation of art–science–technology initiatives in society at large (Paterson et al 2020) and the study of the roles of arts in relation to civil society (Valjakka 2021, 2023), the fluid positionalities of a range of collaborations will be analyzed. By examining case studies such as Lifepatch in Indonesia, and the Periferia art exhibition at the Hyytiälä Forest station in Finland, this talk will showcase the diversity on art–science initiatives, their methods to unravel and incorporate ‘knowledge’ and aims in enhancing environmental awareness.

Through locally embedded research inspired by eco-critical art studies, urban studies, and environmental humanities, Dr Minna Valjakka investigates artistic and creative practices in East and Southeast Asia. Her main interest lies in exploring how diverse practices created in public spaces intersect with environmental issues and civil society formation. Her multi-sited approach is reflected in her publications in a range of journals, books, and exhibition catalogues. She is Senior Researcher and Associate Professor of Art History and Asian Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland. In addition to working on a monograph on art and plants and their (im)material remediations, Dr Valjakka is leading a new interdisciplinary project, Ecological Conjunctions: Contemporary Arts and Natural Science Collaborations for Civil Society Formation (EcoConjunctions), funded by the Research Council of Finland (2024–2028).