Astrobiology & Art
The AstroBioArtLab (ASTRAL) cultivates a space within the EAI where art, astrobiology, and philosophy intersect, fostering collaborative interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary encounters.
It supports work that communicates astrobiology to the public through art, explores questions of life and planetary futures, and contributes cultural narratives that engage societal and planetary perspectives, serving as one of Europe’s voices safeguarding the cultural and ethical dimensions of astrobiology. Practically, the AstroBioArtLab provides a home for the existing community to grow into a recognized hub of expertise and functions as an incubation lab for continent-wide art-science projects. While interdisciplinary work and its practitioners are increasingly recognized, infrastructure to host these initiatives remains limited. The AstroBioArtLab aims to become a home for these initiatives, offering the structural and conceptual support necessary for them to thrive.
Vision
To become a European hub for art–science collaboration in astrobiology — one that supports artistic and experimental work, enriches public dialogue, and contributes thoughtfully to cultural and political conversations.
Purpose
To cultivate a space within the EAI where art, astrobiology, and philosophy meet, fostering collaborative, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary encounters. The AstroBioArtLab supports work that communicates astrobiology to the public through art, explores questions of life and planetary futures, and contributes cultural narratives that engage societal and planetary perspectives. In practical terms, it provides a home for the existing community to grow into a visible, credible programme.
Why it Matters
With certain national institutions shifting priorities there is a growing need for a European voice that safeguards the cultural and ethical dimensions of astrobiology.
Anna Steward
LE STUDIUM Loire Valley Institute for Advanced Studies, France
Sebastian Gfellner
CNRS – Center for Molecular Biophysics, France
Julie Nováková
Charles University, Czechia
Maksim Karanović
Institute of Physics Belgrade, Serbia
Emma Puranen
Open University, UK
Alissa Pott
Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
José Caballero
Centro de Astrobiología – CAB, Spain
Wolf Geppert
Stockholm University, Sweden
Activities
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the death of the renowned astronomer, science communicator and writer Carl Sagan. It is a global opportunity to bring science closer to the public and the media, celebrate Sagan’s legacy in research and inspiring public interest in science, and to showcase current exciting research in astrobiology, astronomy and related fields.
Therefore, the EAI is coordinating the Carl Sagan Month, a distributed event commemorating the anniversary across multiple cities and countries. The aim is to have a series of local and online events to highlight Sagan’s scientific and cultural legacy, promote present-day science (not only) at the EAI and its member institutions, and strengthen public engagement with science.
You are welcome to hold talks, panels, workshops, mini-symposia, art showcases and other events (local in-person, hybrid or virtual) in any language(s) as part of the whole month, which will take place from November 20 to December 20 (which is the actual day of the anniversary). The EAI will also hold an art competition for its astrobiology and art (ASTRAL) project team mission patch.
Currently, there are local events being planned in the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and elsewhere. Include your own as well! It can be a small-scale local event (e.g. an invited talk or panel with experts from your university or research center) as well as something more ambitious. This is an opportunity to get in touch with local audiences interested in science – and spark the interest in others! It is also an opportunity to hold EAI-promoted events in local languages.
How to join? Fill this short form (even if your idea is just partly formed at the moment; you don’t need to wait until you’ve got all the details sorted, we can help with that), we will get in touch with you shortly.
Contact
Artistic lead: anna@anna-steward.com
Science outreach: julie.novakova@natur.cuni.cz