Following a preparatory workshop at the Tbilisi State Academy of Art in March 2025, the exhibition "Where Ideas Meet Art & Science" took place in Graz at Kunst Klub Kräftner on July 25, 2025, accompanied by a conference at the esc medien kunst labor.

The exhibition attracted around 70 attendees, who engaged in lively discussions, including a performance from DJ Deta. The exhibition and the conference on July 26 focused on two main themes: first, the interdependencies among reality, artificial intelligence, design, and art. Second, it examined the value that artistic practices bring to scientific discourse, offering new perspectives that traditional methods may overlook. This exploration aimed to deepen the understanding of the evolving relationship between art and science.

Sandro Asatiani: An artist and educator with a Master of Arts from the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, he integrates creative arts and technology and has developed Master’s programs in Media Arts and Media Engineering.

Katharina Diem: A designer and intuitive explorer blending visual communication, cultural reflection, and inner experience. She holds a Master’s in Interaction Design from Institute Design and Communication at FH JOANNEUM Graz and has won two Red Dot Awards.

Astrid Drechsler: A telecommunications and media graduate from the FH St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, she founded a multimedia agency in 2013 and has been a senior lecturer in sound design at Institute Design and Communication at FH JOANNEUM Graz since 2020.

Nino Esaiashvili: A Georgian graphic designer specializing in visual identity and experimental print media, she holds a Master’s in Advertising Graphics and is pursuing a doctorate in Media Art.

Giorgi Gagoshidze: An independent artist creating stencils, murals, and installations that address human rights and social injustices, aiming to provoke change through various media.

Lina Tonev: A contemporary artist specializing in visual and digital arts, she holds a Master’s in Computer Systems and Technologies from the Technical University Sofia and teaches in the Master’s program in Digital Arts at the National Academy of Arts Sofia.

The conference also featured contributions from Reni Hofmüller, Nana Iashvili, Reanne Leuning, Igor F. Petković, and Karl Stocker.

Looking ahead, a multi-disciplinary festival is scheduled for April 2026 in Tbilisi and autumn 2026 in Graz, with Linz's Ars Electronica Futurelab being considered as a potential third location. Our collaboration with Georgian, Austrian, and international artists, scholars, and institutions—including Mike Fuisz, Horst Hoertner, Stella_Rollig, Markus Tomaschitz and Reanne Leuning—will continue. Together, we aim to develop a project that enhances international art networks and performative formats, bridging the gap between academic discourse and the public sphere.

Photos: Nino Esaiashvili, Karl Stocker and a supporting artist who doesn't want to be mentioned.