Bridging the Boundaries Between Art, Science, and Design: Some suggestions for integrating science, art, and design.

How art, design, and science can be successfully integrated to create shared spaces for experimentation that collaboratively address the negotiation and shaping of the future was the topic of discussion "Lessons on Change. Some suggestions for integrating science, art, and design" between Barbara Meyer, Managing Director and Artistic Director of Schlesische 27 – Art and Education; Stefanie Molthagen-Schnöring, Vice President for Research and Transfer at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences and Economics; and Karl Stocker, exhibition director, cultural and design consultant, and university professor, currently head of the doctoral program in New Media / Media Arts at the Tbilisi State Academy of Art, Georgia. The discussion, held as part of Berlin Science Week, was moderated by Harald Wilkoszewski, Head of Division Communications, Events, and Science Education at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA).

In my presentation, I used the example of cultural-historical exhibitions to explore how exhibitions can become vibrant spaces that forge a unique connection between the past, present, and future. And how, if well-designed, they can communicate messages to a broad audience in a way that publications, for instance, rarely achieve. In this regard, I agree with Walter Benjamin, who observed 100 years ago that "the masses" do not want to be lectured. Knowledge can be absorbed with the help of a "small shock" that "nails the experience firmly in place." And, Benjamin continued: "Any perception lacking the element of surprise would have a dulling effect.“

The discussion was very lively overall; the willingness of all involved to cross boundaries and practice cooperation was interesting. We will continue the discussions and come to joint action.Thank you to Christian Rauch and Lucija Bobinec from the Falling Walls Foundation for the kind invitation.

Photos:

1,2 Brigitte Schlick

3,4,5 Karl Stocker