BioArt Laboratories
| Formation | 2012 |
|---|---|
| Type | Cultural foundation and research institute |
| Headquarters | Eindhoven, Netherlands |
Director | Jalila Essaïdi |
| Website | bioartlab.com |
BioArt Laboratories is a Dutch cultural foundation and research institute dedicated to bioart and biodesign. Founded in 2012 in Eindhoven, it provides infrastructure, expertise, and public programs at the intersection of art, biotechnology, and society.[1] The institute has been recognized by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science as a national development institution (ontwikkelinstelling) for the biological arts within the national cultural infrastructure (BIS).[1]
History
BioArt Laboratories was established in 2012 in response to a petition from students at the Design Academy Eindhoven and Fontys School of Fine Arts, who noted a lack of practical facilities for working with new biological materials and techniques.[2] Initially located in the former Philips TQ building, it offered laboratories, equipment, and mentoring for artists and designers experimenting with biotechnology.[2]
Since 2018, the foundation has been based at the BioArt Village in Eindhoven, a repurposed World War II bunker complex surrounded by 1.6 hectares of forest. The site combines laboratories and prototyping workshops with indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces.[2]
Activities and programs
BioArt Laboratories focuses on talent development, interdisciplinary research, and public engagement. Its main programs include:
- Talent Pressure Cooker, an annual development program supporting emerging artists working with bioart, involving residencies, mentoring, and exhibitions.[2]
- Bio Art & Design Award (BAD Award), an international competition coordinated by the foundation in collaboration with MU Hybrid Art House and ZonMw, connecting artists with leading Dutch research institutes. The award ran for more than a decade and supported dozens of projects.[2]
- Public exhibitions and debates, often organized with partners such as MU Hybrid Art House, Dutch Design Foundation, and international institutions including SymbioticA (Australia), Verbeke Foundation (Belgium), and Power Station of Art (China).[2]
Through these initiatives, the foundation has facilitated hundreds of artists, produced high-profile exhibitions such as Symbiocene Forest, and engaged broad audiences with ethical and societal questions related to biotechnology.[2]
Recognition and position
In 2021, BioArt Laboratories was included in the Dutch national Basic Infrastructure for Culture (BIS) as an official development institution for the biological arts. The Council for Culture described it as an "ontwikkelinstelling pur sang" where research, talent development, and genre innovation go hand in hand.[1]
The institute positions itself within the BrabantStad region, collaborating with both cultural and scientific partners in the Netherlands and abroad, and is considered a European counterpart to platforms such as SymbioticA in Australia.[2]
Governance
The foundation operates as a non-profit under a supervisory board model, adhering to the Dutch Cultural Governance Code. It is founded and led by director Jalila Essaïdi and supported by a team of specialists, an advisory council, and international networks.[2]
See also
References
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