news Archives

Sustainable Robotics | Guillaume Slizewicz

ARTIST RESIDENCE

We’re very happy to welcome Guillaume Slizewicz as Artist-in-Residence for Sustainable Robotics.

He will be joining a group of a group of international experts on sustainable robotics, AI and automation gathering in Brussels over the course of five months at the Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies to learn, exchange & experiment. During this residency we will support him in delveloping his own research project on robotics.

Guillaume Slizewicz is a designer and digital artist whose work sits at the intersection of technology, the environment, and societal issues. Through his practice, he engages with the tension between innovation and sustainability, using technology in poetic, evocative and critical ways. His approach draws connections between ancient practices and contemporary digital tools.

Graduating in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of Kent and later in Production Technology at Copenhagen’s School of Design and Technology, Guillaume founded his studio in 2021 to explore these relationships through digital arts and collectible design. His works often blend physical materials—metal, wood, and clay—with digital processes like algorithms, artificial intelligence, and computer-aided manufacturing.

Guillaume’s artistic inquiry extends beyond materials to his collaborative and experimental methodology. His works are often developed within collectives and with other designers. His work has been presented in institutions like Schloss Hollenegg, MAD(Brussels), Impakt (Utrecht), Design Museum (Ghent), Le Pavillon (Namur), BioArt Labs (Eindhoven), Fake/Authentic (Milan), Constant (Brussels) by school and universities in Le Fresnoy, Brussels, Leuven, Basel, Trier and Hong Kong.

studio.guillaumeslizewicz.com

Credits

The Sustainable Robotics residency is a project conceived by Ohme in collaboration with BrIAS – Brussels Institute for Advanced Studies, ULB & VUB in the framework of Ohme’s artistic residencies programme, funded by Innoviris – the Brussels-Capital Region and Fédération Wallonie Bruxelles.

biometrika | Rebekka Jochem

ARTIST RESIDENCE

What connects the human experience and its quantified representation? How do biometric data – and the act of collecting them – influence the body they describe? These questions are at the core of this performance & research project, featuring two performers and a knitting machine.

We’re looking forward to welcoming Rebekka Jochem as Artist-in-Residence for 𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘢. Ohme, Pilar & FARI join forces for this project focused on exploring the interactions between biometric technologies and human expression in live performance.

Using a real-time data transfer between sensor technologies measuring the biosignals of a performer and the modified control panel of a household knitting machine, Rebekka will knit a live-generated pattern visualising the collected biometric data. She will develop the performance in collaboration with dancer/performer Agnetha Jaunich.

The technical expertise provided by the Biometrika residency will be critical in realising the technical aspects of collecting, interpreting, and transmitting biometric data to the knitting machine. The collaboration with the scientists and engineers of Fari and Ohme Lab will form an integral element of the research and will further develop the concept of the project.

I look forward to exploring how a performance on biometrics, built around a domestic knitting machine from the 80s, can engage people outside of the classic tech and media art demographic in a conversation about technology.

Rebekka Jochem is an artist, interaction designer and creative technologist, born in Cologne. After studying Product Design at the Hochschule Wismar in the North of Germany, she followed the Contextual Design Master Programme at Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands. Since then she has pursued her own artistic practice as well as working as a freelance designer. Her work takes place at the interface between material and digital worlds where she loves to combine electronics and textiles. She uses a hands-on approach to break open black box technologies and empower users in their experience.

Credits

In collaboration with FARI and Pilar.

A cultuurculture project, supported by Communauté française & Vlaamse Gemeenschap.

This research is co-produced by Ohme in the framework of Ohme’s artistic residencies programme,
Funded by Innoviris – the Brussels-Capital Region and Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles.

Bacterial Allies | Bento Architecture

ARTIST RESIDENCE

What if construction waste could be transformed into something new — not by human hands, but in collaboration with living systems? By mobilising the Sporosarcina pasteurii, Bento Architecture is part of an evolving field of research, exploring how biological processes can transform waste into new materials.

This bacterium has a unique talent: it precipitates calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) through its enzymatic activity, creating an alkaline environment where particles and aggregates bind together. The result is a guided form of biocementation—partly controlled nor entirely left to chance—that invites us to reconsider waste. Could the leftovers of construction sites be transformed into bricks, terrazzo, or entirely new materials, while fostering a more thoughtful relationship with the living world?

This residency doesn’t just focus on materials; it asks deeper questions about our responsibilities to the ecosystems around us. How do we interact with the living (like bacteria), the non-living (like waste), and the in-between? It encourages reflection on decarbonization, the potential of contemporary ruins, and how humans might better coexist with non-human actors.

By viewing construction waste not as debris to discard, but as a resource to reimagine, this residency opens a space for architectural practices that collaborate with the life forms we often overlook. This is a journey into the future of building, where human creativity works in tandem with the quiet genius of microbial life.

Bacterial-Allies-BENTO_©_Ophelia-Van-Campenhout3

Bacterial-Allies-BENTO_©_Ophelia-Van-Campenhout4

Bacterial-Allies-BENTO_©_Ophelia-Van-Campenhout1

Bacterial-Allies-BENTO_©_Ophelia-Van-Campenhout5

Bacterial-Allies-BENTO_©_Ophelia-Van-Campenhout6

Created by

Bento Architecture is an architecture studio that places material experimentation at the heart of its practice. Living materials challenge the sustainability of our current production methods and their impact on our ways of life. Recognizing this reality and/or necessity, Bento’s architects strive to highlight, push beyond, and bridge the gap between architecture, art, and design.

Their process involves constant back-and-forth between experimentation with living materials and the design phase, with each feeding into the other—one questioning reality, the other giving it form. This approach allows Bento to address the challenge of scaling up, enabling the studio to create furniture pieces, artistic or scenographic installations, and architectural projects that explore alternative ways of inhabiting the world.

Bento was a laureate of the Europan 16 prize and, together with Vinciane Despret, curator of the Belgian Pavilion at the 18th Venice Architecture Biennale, completed a project built from resources sourced in the Brussels region. These included rammed earth from Brussels excavation sites, solid wood from the Sonian Forest, and mycelium panels (the vegetative part of fungi) grown in the cellars of Tour & Taxis.

The studio is currently working on public and private architectural projects, ecoscenography, and biodesign, combining experimental and decarbonized approaches to create innovative solutions.

Credits

Concept & research: Bento Architecture (Florian Mahieu / Charles Palliez / Corentin Dalon)
With the collaboration of microbiologist Corentin Mullender (Fungal Lab)
Thanks to Eveline Peeters – Department of Bio-engineering Sciences, VUB
Co-production: Ohme

This research is co-produced by Ohme in the framework of Ohme’s artistic residencies programme,
funded by Innoviris – the Brussels-Capital Region & the Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles

METHODS | Héloïse Colrat

Methods explores the techniques, materials and cultural contexts of medieval glassmaking.

Héloise Colrat (glassblowing artist) and Alicia Van Ham-Meert (archaeological scientist) investigate medieval glass recipes based on the composition of the stained glass windows from the abbey of Stavelot – subject of Alicia’s research. Using materials from the archaeological site, they reproduce and refine different glass recipes, focusing in particular on trick glasses, central to elite social gatherings in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Héloïse’s residency project goes beyond mere curiosity; she seeks to immerse herself in the historical and technical nuances of these glasses, attempting to understand not only their forms, but also the societal contexts in which they flourished. At the heart of her investigation is the desire to recreate one of the oldest trick glasses: the drinking horn. This iconic vessel conceals a myriad of fascinating subterfuges, inviting Héloïse to unlock its secrets through experimentation.

She experiments with vitrifiable mixtures using natural materials, echoing ancient practices and techniques.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Héloïse Colrat (1992, Lyon) is a French artist based in Brussels.

She is also the scientific glassblower in charge at the chemistry department at the University of Liège.

In 2023, she obtained a CAP in scientific glassblowing at the Lycée Dorian in Paris and in 2017 a master’s degree at the Haute École des Arts du Rhin in Strasbourg as part of the glass workshop.

Héloïse’s methodological approach is multifaceted, encompassing techniques such as blowing with a torch – an ancient practice that predates the blowpipe, which was widespread in the Middle Ages. This technique offers a unique opportunity to work with mixtures of raw materials, using gathered and charred plants to create intricate enamelled decorations reminiscent of 13th-century glass production in the Middle East.

www.heloisecolrat.com

CREDITS

Artist: Héloïse Colrat

Scientific research: Alicia Van Ham-Meert
Production: Ohme

In partnership with the 4MAT research unit, ULB (Brussels), the Centre de recherches en Archéologie et Patrimoine, ULB (Brussels) and the Haute école des arts du Rhin (Strasbourg)

This research is produced by Ohme in the framework of Ohme’s artistic residency programme,
funded by Innoviris – the Brussels-Capital Region and the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles

Project Partners

CurieuCity Festival

CurieuCity is a new arts and science festival coming to Brussels for the first time throughout 2024. It offers scientific, artistic and educational activities, partly in public spaces and in collaboration with local initiatives.

CurieuCity cultivates curiosity and wonder in everything that surrounds us individually and collectively. It’s a festival that aims to combine the scientific rigor of universities with the experiential impact of art, STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), and socio-cultural action. Each edition of the festival addresses a question inspired by the reality of the neighbourhood where it is located.

More than just a festival, CurieuCity animates four neighbourhoods throughout the year, aiming to develop sustainable and participatory interest in science by co-creating projects with residents and schools in the area.

Co-organised by two Brussels universities, the Université libre de Bruxelles and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, CurieuCity explores the intersection of creativity and curiosity.

As artistic co-programmer, Ohme presents the work of artists whose practices cross path with the themes of each edition of the festival.

29 Nov > 1 Dec 2024

@ Marolles

CurieuCity#3 returns for its final edition of the year in Les Marolles neighborhood!

On the agenda: exhibitions, workshops, discussions, and much more! Join us at Place du Jeu de Balle and the surrounding area for a journey into the ‘mysteries of science and engineering.’ Delve into fascinating topics like space, mathematics, mechanics, chemistry and physics, while uncovering how and why certain ideas are considered true or false in science.

27 > 29 Sept 2024 (past edition)

@ Wiels Marsh & Saint Antoine, Saint-Gilles & Forest

For the second edition of @curieucity.brussels we dive into the world of biodiversity and natural sciences. 

Don’t miss our co-productions 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐑𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫 (𝐚)𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 and 𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞. We are happy to be co-programming this multidisciplinary festival, co-presenting work by Studio Joanie Lemercier, Antoine Bertin, David O’Reilly, Marjolijn Dijkman, Toril Johannessen, Anne Marie Maes, Yami Moreno, David Ferreira, Karine Van Doninck & research group, Ophélie Lhuire, Aiko Design and Anagram.

3 > 5 May 2024 (Past Edition)

@ Weststation & Westpark, Molenbeek

CurieuCity makes its “debut” in Molenbeek! This new festival, which combines the experimental impact of art with the rigor of science, invites you to discover “the city of the future” in its first edition.

What’s in the program ? Hyperdiverse society, architecture, urban planning, smart cities, urban agriculture, circular economy, and many other exciting topics. Join us at the Molenwest and Park West sites.

Curieucity is led by the Université libre de Bruxelles and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and coordinated by Inforsciences and Wetenschap Brussel.

CurieuCity is funded by the Région de Bruxelles-Capitale – Innoviris.

The educational projects in schools is co-funded by the Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie.

ArtScience Day

The first edition of ArtScience Day, a collaboration with ULB and ISELP, combines lectures, panel talks, testimonials, performances and a temporary exhibition.

The intention of this pilot edition is to bring people from the academic community together, to provoke thought, to encourage dialogue between scientific and artistic researchers and to show a glimpse of the field of possibilities of transdisciplinary collaborations and ArtScience projects.

As a co-organizer of this event, Ohme will contribute several interventions during the congress and showcase a series of artworks in the exhibition.

Finally, the day will conclude with the live performance Tales of Entropy by Roméo Poirier & Ohme, followed by the vernissage of Just Landed | Showcase, an exhibition produced by Ohme with 2024 USquare residents.

Interventions

The artists Dewi Brunet and Kris Verdonck will elaborate on their respective Sustainable Robotics residencies with Ohme/BrIAS.

Dewi Brunet combines art, science and technology, applying folding methods to a wide range of materials and purposes. His current work explores the intersection of ecology and technology. During his Sustainable Robotics residency with Ohme, we work together within the field of robotic folding (also known as Oribotics). We help Dewi to deepen his research on plantoids – robots inspired by plants – and explore the use of biomaterials to create sustainable, eco-friendly robots.

Kris Verdonck is a multidisciplinary artist who fuses visual art, architecture, theater and dance. His works are at the crossroads of installation and performance. During his Sustainable Robotics residency, Kris continued his research on the project entitled Garden of the Future, in collaboration with the Museum of Natural Sciences. This project explores the creation of robots powered by renewable energies, designed for and (in)capable of assuming the ecological functions of animal species that have become extinct as a result of the environmental crisis and the collapse of biodiversity.

Ohme project manager Gwen Sauvage will talk about Successful artist/scientist collaborations, based on his years of experience coordinating the Recherche en Perspective programme, while Ohme co-founder Raoul Sommeillier will animate a panel talk on The benefits of transdisciplinary interaction between art and research.

Our resident artist and glass blower Héloïse Colrat, who worked with us on the Methods project, will take part in this, as well as our associate researcher Guillaume Schweicher, FNRS qualified researcher in chemistry.

Exhibition & artworks

The ArtScience Day includes a temporary exhibition, where Ohme presents a series of artworks created in collaboration with talented artists and researchers, exploring the intersection of art, science, and technology:

Plantoïd with Dewi Brunet.

Tales of Entropy – Snapshots with Guillaume Schweicher, Barthélémy Decobecq, Zlab & Aiko Design.

Rotifer (a)live with Aiko Design, Karine Van Doninck & her research team.

Evolution Game with Ophélie Lhuire & Karine Van Doninck.

Recherche en Perspective with the Visual and graphic communication studio of ENSAV La Cambre & the students and experts who have taken part in the programme since 2018.

Truth(s)? – ArtScience(s)? edition, a series of excerpts from interviews with a dozen experts carried out for our Tell All The Truth exhibition and for a research project with the Fonds Wernaers FNRS, edited by Maxime Jennes.

Land of the (un)known (un)knowns with Mathilde Boussange.

Artworks in pictures

Learn more about the artworks

academiaproject

Recherche en Perspective

academiaproductionproject

Land of the (un)known (un)knowns | Mathilde Boussange

installationproduction

Rotifer (a)live

installationperformanceproduction

Tales of Entropy

academiaco-production

RISE Evolution Game

Full programme

ArtScience Day is an event conceived, organised and produced by

Just Landed | Showcase

Just Landed marks the beginning of a new phase of temporary occupation at Usquare, bringing together a vibrant community of artists, designers, scientists, and technicians. For this exhibition, Ohme selected a diverse group of residents for their work in digital arts or for their unique blending of art and science. Just Landed offers a glimpse into current creative practices while hinting at future collaborations within this growing community.

Through a wide variety of works, Just Landed explores the interplay between material, technology, and perception. The pieces on display sit at the crossroads of digital art, visual arts, and design, showcasing a broad spectrum of experimental approaches. Some works delve into the properties of raw materials—whether natural or recycled—highlighting chemical and physical processes that reveal often-invisible dynamics. Others invite visitors into interactive environments of sound, light, and space.

Just Landed captures the convergence of artistic and scientific approaches at Usquare, revealing how contemporary innovations open new pathways for artistic exploration. Beyond the exhibition itself, Just Landed reflects a pivotal moment, offering a glimpse into the future collaborations that will propel this creative community in new directions.

ARTISTS:

Aiko Design ● Nicolas Andry ● Clarice Calvo-Pinsolle ● Miguel Cipriano ● Crafteke & Earthstone ● Amandine David ● Maÿtu ● Meriem Steiner ● Studio Lemercier ● Studio Minimètre ● Nadja Meier ● Yami Moreno & David Ferreira ● Ohme & Frederik Vanhoutte ● Damien Petitot ● PYL ● Guillaume Thunis

PRACTICAL INFO

18.10 -17.11-2024
Usquare – Building I
Avenue de la Couronne 227
B-1050 Ixelles, Belgium

Photos: Silvia Cappellari

With the support of
Région de Bruxelles-Capitale – Innoviris and Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles

Aquatic Conversations | Antoine Bertin

ARTIST RESIDENCY

An artistic, scientific and technological investigation of the complex communication methods beneath the ocean’s surface.

Antoine Bertin’s research engages in an audiovisual exploration of the conversations between aquatic species through the use of sound recordings and machine learning. This research draws on machine listening techniques to decode the intricate communication methods of marine life communication.

During this residency project Antoine and Ohme collaborate on the design and composition of an intimate radiophonic plea for marine species, blending spoken word, sculptures and immersive soundscapes, drawing the audience into the fascinating world of listening to the ocean.

To support Antoine’s research, Ohme Lab is developing a system that transforms marine recordings into point cloud structures through machine learning. These structures will be used in digital art visualisations and 3D printing.

The microscope enabled humans to see anew, with both our eyes and our imaginations. Digital acoustics are an invention of similar significance. Like the microscope, they function like a scientific prosthetic: as they extend our sense of hearing, they expand our perceptual and conceptual horizons.

— Karen Bakker, The Sounds of Life.

Antoine-Bertin_Aquatic-Conversations-at-Curieucity-Festival_photo-Ophelia-Van-Campenhout8

Antoine-Bertin_Aquatic-Conversations-at-Curieucity-Festival_photo-Ophelia-Van-Campenhout20

Antoine-Bertin_Aquatic-Conversations-at-Curieucity-Festival_photo-Ophelia-Van-Campenhout5

Antoine-Bertin_Aquatic-Conversations-at-Curieucity-Festival_photo-Ophelia-Van-Campenhout3

Photos: Ophelia Van Campenhout

Première: 27.09.24 as part of CurieuCity Festival

About the artist

Antoine Bertin is a European artist working at the intersection of science and sensory immersion, field recording and sound storytelling, data and music composition. His creations take the form of listening experiences, immersive moments and audio meditations exploring our relationships with the living world. His work has been presented at Tate Britain, Palais de Tokyo, Serpentine Gallery, KIKK festival, STRP festival, Sonar+D, CCCB Barcelona, Dutch Design Week, Nuit Blanche Paris, le 104, Centre Wallonie Bruxelles, Gaité Lyrique. He produces a quarterly show called “Edge of the forest” on NTS radio weaving together field recordings, data sonifications and science inspired meditations.

Studio Antoine Bertin was created in 2018, bringing together a multidisciplinary team that develops, produces and delivers listening experiences. Studio Antoine Bertin is based in Paris and Alicudi Island and works internationally.

Website: https://www.studioantoinebertin.com/

Credits

Artist : Antoine Bertin
Scientist : Sara Keen (Earth Species Project)
Code and experience design: Cristina Tarquini
Code and prototyping: Marianne de Heer Kloots (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), François Bronchart (Ohme)
Production: Sonia Gaspard (Studio Antoine Bertin), Nicolas Klimis (Ohme)
Academic Partners: ZHDK (Zurich University of the Arts)
Curatorial Counseling: Camilla Colombo (Ohme)
Co-production: Ohme

This research is co-produced by Ohme in the framework of Ohme’s artistic residencies program,
in dialogue with Earth Species Project, supported by Innoviris and Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.

biometrika – call for applications

THIS CALL IS NOW CLOSED

Call for applications for an artist residency on the theme of biometrics in live performance

Each year, Ohme supports and offers its expertise to several artists in artistic and technical residencies. Through this initiative, and according to the specific needs of each artist, Ohme actively supports the conception and the conception and production of innovative artistic projects, provides solid technical and scientific support in research and development, networks with experts and researchers, and promotes exchanges between art, science and technology.

Together with Pilar (House of Art and Science of the Vrije Universiteit Brussels – VUB) and FARI (Research Institute in AI, data & Robotics for the Common Good in Brussels), Ohme is launching an open call for an artist residency focused on exploring the interactions between biometric technologies and human expression in live performance.

This residency takes place in the wider framework of biometrika, an artistic and technical long term project exploring the potential of biometrics at the service of the live performance.

About biometrika

This initiative aims to foster creative works at the intersection of art and technology by offering a rich program that includes artist-researcher interactions, workshops, technical support from engineers, outreach events, and an artistic residency.

The biometrika project is rooted both in the original concept of biometrics – the measurement of biological parameters – and in the research undertaken by Ohme Lab over the last 3 years in this field. Ohme has developed technologies to capture biosignals from the body and its environment, translating them into real-time bidirectional interactions with artworks. The use of such signals to reveal mental, emotional, and/or physical states involves the integration of sensors, acquisition systems and (AI-based) methods for the pre-processing, classification and interpretation of these signals. These developments, led by Ohme Lab, have so far focused on integrating biometric data and biosignals into the creation of digital art installations, exploring how the public’s reactions to a work of art can influence that work in real time, and vice versa.

With biometrika, we propose a shift in focus from audience biosignals to those of the performer(s) themselves. This project explores how real-time biometric data—reflecting the physical, mental, and/or emotional states of the performer(s)—can influence their performance. The performer(s)’ internal responses become part of the artistic creation, enhancing the interaction between artist and artwork. Such biosignal-driven performances could enable audiences to experience a more intimate connection, as the technology makes the performer’s emotional and physiological engagement with their art more explicit and perceptible in real time.

The biometrika project is possible thanks to support from cultuurculture 2024-25, an initiative stemming from the cultural cooperation agreement between the Communauté française and the Vlaamse Gemeenschap.

Description of the residency

The call is open to individual artists or collectives (hereby the artist).

Through this residency, the artist will have the opportunity to collaborate with engineers, scientists, and researchers to create live performances using real-time biometric data and biosignals.

This residency offers the selected artist(s) the opportunity to explore different research questions such as:

How data from the human body and mind can be captured through sensors and technologies like EEG headset, motion detector, depth, respiration, heart rate, pressure or sweat sensors ?
How can we filter these data streams, process and analyse them so that – based on current research in psychology (psychoacoustics, social psychology, cognitive psychology, psychophysiology, neuroscience, etc.) – they can tell us something about the physical, mental and emotional state of one or more performers?
What methods need to be put in place to ensure, in a performative context (sound and visual noise, movement, external disturbances, stress, etc.), that the acquisition chain works properly and that there is an unambiguous relationship between the biosignals measured and the emotional and physical states of the performer that we are trying to deduce from them?
How can the data signals provided by these devices be used to create interactive performances using capable technological tools that generate real-time feedback loops between the performer(s) and the performance they are delivering ?

biometrika provides a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration between artists, engineers, and researchers, fostering a supportive environment for artistic experimentation and performance development.

Within this framework, the artist will be involved in an artistic research project linked to the programme, benefiting from the support and guidance of Ohme, and drawing inspiration from and inspiring the programme’s interdisciplinary community.

Ohme has partnered with Pilar (House for Arts and Science at the VUB) and FARI (interuniversity ULB-VUB Institute in AI, Data & Robotics for the Common Good), to provide a collaborative and supportive environment for the selected artist(s).

Pilar contributes to the residency by offering access to its space and resources, including the Pilar Box and its staging equipment for black box working sessions. FARI provides scientific input, links with academic circles and access to its brand new sensors library, robots library and CAVE (Computer Augmented Virtual Environment) described below.

About Ohme

Founded in 2017 by a team of engineers and cultural professionals, Ohme works at the intersection of artistic and scientific disciplines, contributing to the development of new conceptions of interdisciplinarity, with a keen interest in research, co-creation, knowledge sharing and breaking down barriers between disciplines, mindsets and audiences. Ohme aims to foster the development of new forms of artistic creation, science outreach, and exploratory research, through collaborative and transdisciplinary practices.

For more details, visit: www.ohme.be

About Pilar

Pilar is an experimental art and culture space in Brussels, connected to the VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel). It focuses on nurturing emerging and established creators, particularly from generations Y and Z, by providing a platform for cross-disciplinary work in art and science. Pilar encourages innovation, experimentation, and collaboration between artists, scientists, and thinkers, aiming to foster cultural entrepreneurship and radical humanism. It acts as a hub for creative talents to challenge societal norms and propose alternatives through artistic expression.

For more details, visit: www.pilar.brussels

About FARI

FARI is an AI research institute in Brussels, founded through a collaboration between VUB and ULB, focusing on AI, data, and robotics for the common good. It promotes inclusive, ethical, and sustainable AI development, ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in its projects. By involving local communities and civic steering committees, FARI seeks to address societal challenges at the local and international levels, emphasising responsible research and innovation.

For more details, visit: www.fari.brussels

Phases of the residency

This residency will consist of several stages.

Phase 1 (Jan 2025 with Ohme)

Start of the artistic residency
Ideation process, state of the art, search for potential external expert/consultant profiles
Participation in and contribution to workshops on biometric technologies and their use in artistic creation

Phase 2 (Feb-Mar 2025 with FARI & Ohme)

Series of meetings with engineers and researchers
Definition of the artistic intention and technical specifications

Phase 3 (Monday 7 April to Friday 11 April 2025 at Pilar Box)

1st black box working session

Phase 4 (May-June 2025 – Ohme & FARI)

R&D phase towards an established concept, feasibility study, sizing and manufacture of a functional pre-prototype

Phase 5 (August-October with Ohme, Pilar & FARI)

Further research and development of the project
2nd black box working session (at Pilar Box)
Research restitution event

Phase 6 (February 2026)

Public presentation within the framework of Ohme’s annual projects presentation

What we are looking for

This open call aims to support the development of a performing art project, i.e. a live creative activity that takes place in front of an audience (dance, music, opera, theatre, magic, illusion, performance art, etc.).

It is aimed at performers (dancers, musicians, singers, actors, comedians, magicians, etc.), artists and workers in related fields (real-time visual artists, choreographers, sound engineers, lighting designers, scenographers, etc.), as well as hybrid collectives.

We are therefore open to all media (visual arts, digital arts, dance, theatre, music, video, etc.)

We are looking for projects:

that would benefit from structured support in terms of research, contextualisation and/or technical experimentation
that are aligned with the research areas defined above and the theme of integrating biometric technologies at the heart of the performance concept.

We are seeking artists who:

demonstrate an interest in and willingness to get involved in the biometrika programme
have a willingness to incorporate new technologies into their practice and a keen interest in their use or application in unexpected contexts
demonstrate a strong interest in exploring and experimenting with the use of biometric technologies and how they can be applied to create new forms of artistic expression
open to interdisciplinary approaches and proactive in collaborating with experts from different scientific, technological and artistic fields.

What we offer

Financial Support

A budget of €6,000 (excl. VAT) will be provided, covering both production costs and artist fees, depending on the project proposed

Technical and Artistic Support

10 days (to be defined) of support from Ohme’s artistic and technical team, to be divided according to the needs of the artist among: scientific support and technical development with engineers from Ohme Lab, residency days, networking, etc.

Access to Facilities:

Depending on the project proposed and needs of the artist :

Access to technologies developed by Ohme Lab and to its equipment for prototyping and experimentation (3D printers, laser cutter, CNC, etc.).
Access to the Pilar Box, Pilar’s performance/concert/theatre space and its staging equipment including platforms, risers, trusses, rigging systems, lighting fixtures, sound systems, backdrops, curtains, props, etc.
Access to FARI’s brand new sensors and robots library, as well as to its new Computer Augmented Virtual Environment (CAVE), an immersive 3D space designed for interactive visualisation and collaborative experimentation in AI, robotics, and data.

Networking Opportunities

Access to Ohme’s extensive university network and contact with scientists and researchers, including the academic and professional networks of Pilar (VUB) and the nearly 300 experts in AI, data and robotics at FARI (ULB/VUB), depending on the artist’s needs.

Workspaces

Workspaces at Pilar and Ohme Lab that are equipped for creative and technical development (periods and durations are partly to be determined).

Requirements

Residency

To be an artist, a collective of artists or an artistic organisation, resident in Belgium.

Language

Fluency in English is required, as the residency program will be conducted primarily in this language. Fluency in French and/or Dutch is also appreciated.

Interests in Science and Technology

Depending on the proposed project, its objectives and its lines of development, demonstrating an interest in interdisciplinarity and a curiosity for various disciplines is appreciated. The artist will have the opportunity to discuss and work with specialists during the residency.

These disciplines include biometrics, AI, machine learning, computer science, creative coding, signal processing, cognitive psychology, electronics, telecommunications, biology, physiology, biophysics, bioengineering, computational biology, biomechanics, biomedical engineering, medical monitoring or neuroscience.

Of course, it is not a requirement to have experience or solid skills in these areas.

Moreover, we are open to proposals that explore other disciplines, whether in the formal, natural, social or human sciences.

Open to All Media

We encourage applications from artists working in all forms of artistic expression, including but not limited to dance, theatre, music, visual arts, digital arts, video, etc.

We welcome artists from all disciplines, provided they demonstrate a genuine interest in integrating biometrics technologies into their practice.

Calendar of the residency

Application Deadline: 30/11/2024, 23:59 (CET)

Announcement of the selected artist: 23/12/2024

Start of the residency: 15/01/2025

Period of the residency: 15/01/2025 – 15/10/2025

A timetable for this period is to be agreed with Ohme (participation and attendance in workshops, possible research and technical development phase in Ohme’s offices, access to FARI’s CAVE, Ohme Lab spaces and equipment, etc.). The exact schedule will be arranged with the selected artist(s).

The periods of access to the Pilar Box are:

1st black box working session: 07/04/2025 – 11/04/2025

2nd black box working session: Between 15/08 and 15/09

Research restitution event: Between Oct and Dec 2025
The precise date will be agreed with the selected artist and the partners.

Public presentation: Feb 2026

Within the framework of Ohme’s annual projects presentation.

How to apply?

Applications are to be submitted before 30/11/2024, 23:59, including the elements listed below in a single PDF to be sent to the following address: opencall@ohme.be

A C.V. up to date.
A portfolio.
A text of one maximum page, in English, explaining your interest in the residency and the theme(s) of the biometrika project.
A statement, of two maximum pages, in English, relating to the artistic research project you wish to develop or refine, including a description of the project.
Images and/or drawings and diagrams, an explanation of the approach (what questions are raised, the implications, the influences, etc.).
A provisional budget
The completed contact form to download here.

The evaluation criteria will be as follows: innovative character, originality, relevance to the theme and research axes, technical and budgetary feasibility.

Ohme, Pilar and FARI look forward to hearing about your project and working with you within the framework of the 2025 programme.

For any questions or further information, please contact us at opencall@ohme.be.

The biometrika residency is a project in collaboration with Pilar and FARI

Supported by the Cultuurculture cooperation programme, an initiative by Communauté française & Vlaamse Gemeenschap

Machines for Good | International Webinar

Join us for the grand finale of “Machines for Good” – a project at the intersection of AI, arts, and social engagement.

What: The culminating online event that unveils the conclusions from a year of activities across Europe, where participants were invited to explore the fusion of AI technology and creativity in addressing issues like sustainability, democracy, climate change, and community.

Why: Learn about the potential transformative power of AI not just as a tool but as a force driving citizen participation. Discover the ideas, solutions, and artistry that have emerged from these workshops, sparking a ripple effect of positive change.

Who: Engage with policymakers, stakeholders, and thought leaders as they dive into the guidelines and policy recommendations shaped by the fresh perspectives of our participants. It’s a conversation that transcends disciplines, fostering dialogue around the role of AI in shaping our shared future.

13:00 – 13:15 INTRODUCTION

13:15 – 13:30 KEYNOTE : Pr. Hugues Bersini, Director of Iridia, Artificial Intelligence research laboratory of the Université Libre de Bruxelles

13:30 – 14:10 MACHINES FOR GOOD: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? Conclusions by organisation

AI for sustainable development ➤ Sineglossa (IT)

AI for communities ➤ Baltan Lab oratories (NL)

AI for climate ➤ Ohme (BE)

AI for democracy ➤ Fundación Zaragoza Ciudad del Conocimiento – FZC (ES)

14:10 – 14:30 GENERAL CONCLUSIONS

14:30 – 15:00 Give your feedback + Q&A

This event is part of the CERV–Machines For Good European project, in partnership with Baltan Laboratories (NL), Ohme (BE), Fundación Zaragoza Ciudad del Conocimiento – FZC (ES), Sineglossa (IT), aiming at raising awareness about the potential of artificial intelligence tools to encourage people’s democratic, civic and social participation and cultivate the rich diversity of European society, based on our common values, history and memory.

We’re very happy to welcome Guillaume Slizewicz as Artist-in-Residence for Sustainable Robotics.

What connects the human experience and its quantified representation? How do biometric data – and the act of collecting them – influence the body they describe? These questions are at the core of this performance & research project, featuring two performers and a knitting machine.

Methods explores the techniques, materials and cultural contexts of medieval glassmaking.

29 Nov > 1 Dec 2024

@ Marolles

27 > 29 Sept 2024 (past edition)

@ Wiels Marsh & Saint Antoine, Saint-Gilles & Forest

3 > 5 May 2024 (Past Edition)

@ Weststation & Westpark, Molenbeek

The first edition of ArtScience Day, a collaboration with ULB and ISELP, combines lectures, panel talks, testimonials, performances and a temporary exhibition.

The intention of this pilot edition is to bring people from the academic community together, to provoke thought, to encourage dialogue between scientific and artistic researchers and to show a glimpse of the field of possibilities of transdisciplinary collaborations and ArtScience projects.

Interventions

Exhibition & artworks

Artworks in pictures

Learn more about the artworks

Full programme

An artistic, scientific and technological investigation of the complex communication methods beneath the ocean’s surface.

THIS CALL IS NOW CLOSED

Call for applications for an artist residency on the theme of biometrics in live performance

About biometrika

Description of the residency

Phases of the residency

What we are looking for

What we offer

Requirements

Calendar of the residency

How to apply?

Registration