Science and art illuminate Kassel's questions for the future

The so-called Future Dialogues are a new format jointly set up by the University of Kassel, the Staatstheater Kassel and Scientists for Future as part of the Year of Science 2022 - Inquired! In three rounds of talks in the spring, citizens formulated questions about the development of our society. These ranged from overarching questions about the preservation of democracy or what contribution they themselves could make to the future to very specific concerns, such as "What are the top 10 sustainable useful trees (priority edible) that we can plant in Kassel?"

In a unique interplay between science and art, current thought-provoking impulses with regard to the most burning questions will now be provided together with the citizens - and with all interested guests of the city - during this documenta summer.

Already on June 15 and 18, visual artist Anna Rún Tryggvadóttir will open her sculptural installation with audio artwork in the opera foyer of the State Theater with a comprehensive program of workshops, dialogue formats and artistic interventions. In the exhibition, she explores the materials from which the State Theater was built, and the foyer becomes a place of encounters that invites visitors to linger over the summer. In addition, with the premiere on July 9, Thorleifur Örn Arnarsson's production opens the stage for the processual search for new narratives in the relationship between man and nature. The production integrates changing guests from science and society. Among others, writer Andri Snær Magnason, author of the book "Water and Time: A History of Our Future," will attend the premiere and engage in conversation with the audience.

In addition, there will be numerous insights into the work of researchers who are exploring ways to a more sustainable future. Formats such as the Science Slam or the Table of Knowledge invite direct exchange between science, art and society. Interested parties can find an overview of the various events from this interdisciplinary collaboration at the following link: www.uni-kassel.de/go/zukunftsdialoge

The interdisciplinary cooperation of UniKasselTransfer, the Staatstheater Kassel and the Scientists for Future Kassel is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, among others, within the framework of the Science Year 2022 - In Demand! In different event formats, the dialogue between science, art and society will be opened up in order to embark together on the search for alternative paths to a more sustainable society. Artistically, the collaboration is characterized by the Temple of Alternative Histories: a three-part, processual artwork of the State Theater, consisting of an exhibition (Temple of Materialised Histories), a stage work (Temple of Appropriated Histories) and an open, scientific discourse (Temple of Emerging Histories). Together, new avenues of cooperation will be explored to engage with visitors in a processual search for a new narrative of the relationship between humans and nature.

Background:

Science Year 2022 - Inquired!

#MyQuestionforScience.

The Year of Science 2022 - Inquired! invites all citizens to pose their own personal question for science and thereby provide impetus for potential future fields and future research projects. After all, science and research permeate all areas of our lives. Whether it's the growing importance of algorithms in everyday life or the impact of our lifestyles on the global climate: Society is facing major challenges at the beginning of the 21st century. In order to master these together and actively shape our society, engaging with research findings and contributing our own perspectives are crucial.

The Science Years are an initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) together with Wissenschaft im Dialog (WiD). For 22 years, they have supported the exchange between research and society as a central instrument of science communication.

Contact:
Gianna Dalfuß
University of Kassel
ZUKUNFTSDIALOGE Coordination
E-mail: gianna.dalfuss[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
Tel.: 0561 804 2427