Miha Turšič, the co-founder of KSEVT, received a honorary mention at Ars Electronica in Linz, competing in the pioneering section where ESA (European Space Agency) and AEC (Ars Electronica) Futurelab established a first-ever residence for an artist at the ESA. The cathegory was won by Aoife Van Linden Tol. The whole public announcement is right here -->

First residency awarded jointly by Ars Electronica and the European Space Agency

Aoife van Linden Tol Is the First Recipient of a
Residency at the ESA and Ars Electronica Futurelab
(Linz/Noordwijk, August 3, 2016)

Aoife van Linden Tol (IE) will be the first artist-in residence
hosted jointly by Ars Electronica and the European Space Agency (ESA).
The Irish media artist will have the extraordinary opportunity to work together with
ESA scientists and experience the landing of the Rosetta Space Probe or the
ExoMars Mission live on site at the European Space Research and Technology Centre
(ESTEC) in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. Following her thrilling sojourn at the ESA,
she’ll spend a month in Linz, where the Ars Electronica Futurelab’s staff will provide
support as she realizes the project inspired by her visit to the ESA. The jury had high
praise for Aoife van Linden Tol, an artist whose previous work has involved several
scientific disciplines including chemistry, physics and cosmology, and makes a
powerful emotional impact on those who behold it. Their statement read in part:
“What impressed us most about Aoife van Linden Tol is her highly distinctive
approach to fundamental questions having to do with the universe.” 212 artists from
45 countries responded to the open call issued jointly by the ESA and Ars Electronica.

Aoife van Linden Tol and the Star Storm
Aoife van Linden Tol was born in 1978. She develops installations, stages
performances, paints, photographs and shoots films. She’s fascinated by
explosions—by their tremendous power and devastating effect. In her application for
a residency at the ESA and the Ars Electronica Futurelab, Aoife van Linden Tol
submitted the idea of a “Star Storm” showcasing the lifecycle and physical
characteristics of stars. During her stay at the ESA, she intends to learn more about
stars from the organization’s scientists and then channel that knowledge into an
“explosive performance.” The “Star Storm” she aims to trigger is to be characterized
by the incessant interplay of chaos and order, of meditative calm alternating with
energy-charged tension. Her mission is to be informative and simultaneously to
awaken strong emotions.

Six Entries Singled Out for Recognition with Honorary Mentions
The jury awarded an Honorary Mention to six applicants: Sarah Petkus (US) for
“Wandering Artist/Robot,” Akira Wakita (JP) for “Mars Zen Topography,” Smite Rasa
and Smits Raitis (LV) for “Saving Appearances,” Alois Yang (FR) for “Hear the World
Begin,” Kristina Pulejkova (MK) for “We could be Martians” and Miha Turšič (SL) for
his submission entitled “Supreorganism” as well as for his pioneering achievements
in and strong commitment to the exploration of the cosmos.

First Artist-in-Residency at the ESA and the Ars Electronica Futurelab
The first part of the residency is a 2-6-week stay at the ESA intended to serve as a
source of inspiration, followed by an approximately 4-week stay at the Ars
Electronica Futurelab, where the focus is on the implementation of the artistic
project that’s the culmination of the residency. The ESA currently focuses its
research endeavors on the Sun, the Earth’s magnetic field, the planets Mars and
Saturn, and the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet. Current missions are designed
to produce three-dimensional images of the Milky Way and to explore Mars. In
September 2016, the ESA’s Rosetta space probe will land on 67P/C-G and collect
data. A residency offers an artist a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience these
amazing events in the company of experts at the ESA’s research facilities.

Presentation at Ars Electronica and Traveling Exhibitions
The results of the residency will be presented at the 2017 Ars Electronica Festival, at
selected ESA facilities, as well as in the form of modular traveling exhibitions
appearing at the seven member institutions of the European Digital Art and Science
Network: Center for the Promotion of Science, Serbia; DIG Gallery, Slovakia; Zaragoza
City of Knowledge Foundation, Spain; Kapelica Gallery, Kernikova, Slovenia; GV Art,
United Kingdom; Laboral, Spain; Science Gallery, Ireland.

Aoife van Linden Tol: http://www.aoifevanlindentol.com/
Art & Science – European Digital Art and Science Network: http://www.aec.at/artandscience/en/
ESA: http://www.esa.int/ESA
Ars Electronica: http://www.aec.at/news/en/

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication
(communication) reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for
any use which may be made of the information contained therein.