Ars Techne Lab

Dear friends,

We extend a warm invitation to join us for the finissage of the “Armenian Futurisms” poster exhibition tonight at 19:30 at .akumb (Zarobyan 12). This exhibition goes beyond conventional artistic expression; it is a profound exploration into the realms of imagination and community.

Emerging from a workshop immersed in Diasporan Armenian, African, and Indigenous futurisms—cultural movements envisioning emancipatory futures for historically oppressed and marginalized communities—this initiative brought together artists through an open call. Together, they embarked on a journey to conceptualize a livable future amid the complexities of political, social, and cultural landscapes. This workshop was not merely an artistic endeavor but a significant exercise in liberating the imagination from the constraints of the present, fostering a temporary yet impactful community bond.

The exhibited posters, each uniquely interpreted and styled, provide insights into the diverse thought processes of the artists. While diverging from conventional artistic norms, each artwork stands as a sincere representation of both individual and collective journeys. Together, these pieces contribute to a nuanced conversation about our shared future.

This exhibition celebrates the creative process, emphasizing the profound value in collectively contemplating a livable future—a pursuit as enlightening as it is challenging. We extend an open invitation to engage deeply with the arts and subsistence, nurturing a shared vision and a sense of community.

Participants

Astine Sargsyan
Carine Aroyan
Darya Chirkova
Lin Kira
Mariam Muradyan
Narek Buniatyan
Spartak Shahbazyan
Tigran Grigoryan
Varduhi Sultanyan

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the SDC regional “Arts and Culture Project in the South Caucasus” and the Swiss Cooperation Office, Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia , for their invaluable support in bringing this visionary project to life.

🔬📚 Announcement Time! 🎨🌐

Hello, Ars Techne Lab community!

We are excited to share a new milestone in our journey. Currently, our dedicated team is diligently working on Ars Techne Lab's inaugural small-scale research-based exhibition project.

This initiative is a harmonious blend of critical design and speculative fabulation, with the purpose of enriching our understanding of the futures we want to inhabit. While we're eager to divulge all the details, for now, the specifics of the project remain under wraps.

As we progress, we'll be sharing more updates, so stay tuned.

Thank you for being a part of this journey and for your continuous support!

Introducing an esteemed board member, Professor Ryszard Kluszczynski, the Head of the Electronic Media Department at Lodz University, and a recognized authority in cultural and media studies. His scholarly contributions include influential works such as "Information Society. Cyberculture. Multimedia Arts" (2001), and "Film–Video –Multimedia: Art of the Moving Picture in the Era of Electronics" (1999).

Professor Kluszczynski dives into the depths of new media arts and cyberculture, experimental cinema and video art, and modern art theory with his research. He also explores the complex intersection of art, science, technology, and politics.

Currently, he is the Artistic Director of the prestigious Art and Science Meeting Program at the Center for Contemporary Art in Gdansk. Let's extend a warm welcome to Prof. Kluszczynski!

🎉 We are thrilled to introduce one of our esteemed Board Members - Majken Overgaard! 🎉

Majken is an accomplished professional in the spheres of digital art curation and technological art innovation. She's a trailblazer, exemplifying her passion for the intersection of technology and contemporary art in her work with Korridor, an avant-garde collective devoted to exploring the expansive potential of online digital art. 🎨💻

To Majken, AI, blockchains, web3, NFTs, and immersive technologies like AR and VR are more than mere tech tools; they are transformative forces reshaping our societal understanding of culture and art. Her curatorial approach is grounded firmly in feminist and democratic principles, with her work extensively promoting diversity within the art community. 🌐🔗

Apart from her groundbreaking role in the art world, Majken believes strongly in sharing knowledge. A former director of Catch - Center for Art, Technology, and Design in Denmark, she currently enriches minds as an external lecturer at the IT University of Copenhagen. Her unique approach to blending science fiction with contemporary art inspires students to unlock their creative thinking and to imagine and craft an inclusive, sustainable future. 🏫👩‍🎓

Join us in welcoming Majken Overgaard to our board, and stay tuned to learn more about the positive impact she will bring to our community! 🙌💫

Presenting Harutyun Alpetyan, a pioneering figure in waste management and co-founder of the Contemporary Choreography Lab (CoCoLab). Currently serving as a program manager, lecturer, and waste governance authority at the American University of Armenia's Acopian Center for the Environment, Harutyun's mission is to usher in a sustainable, circular economy.

Harutyun operates as a key expert and chief researcher in numerous waste-related projects under the AUA Acopian Center. His work is expansive, covering diverse areas such as landfill mapping, waste management strategies, policy formulation, and planning for sustainable landfill operations. His research also delves into the analysis of waste quantity and composition.

Beyond his extensive research, Harutyun plays a significant role as a policy liaison, facilitating cross-sector collaboration and advocating for impactful policy changes. He is also a dedicated educator, channeling his passion for environmental awareness into teaching various environmental courses at the American University of Armenia.

Join us in welcoming Harutyun to the Ars Techne Lab board - a tireless advocate for sustainable change, an accomplished expert in his field, and a driving force in environmental education.