About
Water is life. All living things need water to survive. Our human body consists of 60 percent water. It is also essential for the production of food, clothing, computers, moving our waste stream and a healthy environment. And yet we currently do not have a sustainable relationship with this natural resource.
In recent years, the pillars of the S+T+ART consortium have created an impact at European level. To meet the SDG6+SDG14 challenges and maximize the impact, this consortium aims to create a strong STARTS4Water Experts Network around artistic practices and art-driven innovation. We do this through the use of advanced digital technologies (AI, IoT, advanced sensor platforms, drones and autonomous vehicles, VR, AR, etc.).
With 12 different STARTS4Water residencies, we want to critically address environmental issues surrounding water. On the one hand, the connection between local and global is important, on the other hand you have the crucial connection between art, industry and technology. These residencies can create new stories and strategies to understand, value and manage water in a more inclusive, integrated and sustainable way.
Numerous events (conferences, networking events, acceleration events, expert meetings, workshops, labs, summer schools, lectures, presentations, exhibitions, etc.) contribute to the sharing of knowledge on local and regional water challenges between communities and industry in Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Croatia and Italy. This leads to a more complete picture of the different needs and challenges. It also leads to better decisions about sustainable water management, both for the water company and for the citizen.
Research unit: LABOPro
Duration: 2021 - 2022
Funding: EUROPEAN COMMISSION Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology
Partners
- Leading partner:
LUCA School of Arts
- Project partners:
TBA21 Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary
UR institute
V2_Lab for Unstable Media
Ohi Pezoume NPO, UrbanDig Project
Cittadellarte - Fondazione Pistoletto
Residencies
The STARTS4Water residencies (October 2021 - June 2022) initiate a series of collaborative processes. They generate projects that raise awareness and provide specific solutions to regional water challenges in Europe. These challenges are defined by the support of a regional expert network. This network includes digital experts, entrepreneurs, regional arts and research institutions, specialists in digital transformation and public administration.
Each residency focuses on a region-specific water management challenge and is related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (specifically SDG6 and SDG14). This leads to 12 tangible works of art. They create awareness about water challenges or lead to digital applications that contribute to the local development of sustainable water use and management.
The results of the residencies will be on display at Bozar – Center for Fine Arts (Brussels), during the STARTS4Water exhibition in the autumn of 2022.
In collaboration with LUCA School of Arts and with the support of regional industry and research partners, we are delighted to host two great artists for a six-month residency!
Haseeb Ahmed - Pharmaceutical pollution
Haseeb Ahmed is an exploring artist from the US who currently lives in Brussels. He designs objects and installations, makes films and writes about all kinds of subjects. Ahmed often integrates scientific methods in his art production. For the past 10 years, Ahmed has focused artistically on the fluid dynamics of wind and water. What we can learn about our changing climate from the movements of these natural elements.
With the support of partners and experts, Ahmed is exploring new measures on pharmaceutical disposal. Sensible disposal leads to a greener industry and better wastewater treatment.
Organized by GLUON and LUCA School of Arts with the support of Pollet Water Group, Pharma.be, Inopsys, Vlakwa, VITO, Surplace and Capture-UGhent.
The result of the residency will be shown in Bozar – Center for Fine Arts (Brussels) at the end of 2022.
Anna Ridler - Water capitalism
Anna Ridler is an artist and researcher who works with knowledge systems. She is particularly interested in ideas around measurements that relate to the natural world. She often uses data collections to learn more about society and the world.
Together with partners and experts, Anna is looking for a more sustainable, inclusive and value-driven water management. She combines expertise in blockchain, water management, philosophy, etc.
This residency is organized by GLUON and LUCA School of Arts, in collaboration with Farys, De Watergroep, Antea Group, North Sea Port, Smappee, Snowball, Timelab, Vlakwa and VITO.
The result of the residency will be shown in Bozar – Center for Fine Arts (Brussels) at the end of 2022.
These projects are funded by S+T+ARTS (Science, Technology & the Arts), an initiative of the European Commission, launched in the framework of the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. Its aim is to create collaborations between artists, scientists , engineers and researchers to develop more creative, inclusive and sustainable technologies.
STARTS4Water Journal
You can find interviews with the artists behind the residencies in the STARTS4Water Journal. Learn about their vision on water managament and their projects.
Researchers
Valery De Smedt
Kasper Jordaens