Tomás Saraceno
“Web(s) of Life”
Thursday, November 9, 12:00pm.
Virtual Lecture
Zoom Link
Rensselaer School of Architecture’s Fall 2023 Lecture Series continues November 9th, at 12:00 pm, with the lecture “Web(s) of Life” by Tomás Saraceno.
Tomás Saraceno is an artist whose projects have initiated dialogues with various forms of life and life-forming processes. Saraceno, an Argentina-born, Berlin-based artist, has spent over two decades engaged in rethinking prevailing threads of knowledge within the context of the Capitalocene era. His work recognizes the multiplicity of vibrations present on the intricate Web of Life.
Saraceno’s creative endeavors have been directed towards reimagining the co-creation of our atmosphere. Projects such as Museo Aero Solar and the Aerocene Foundation have aimed to move society towards a state free from carbon emissions and the abuses often associated with the Capitalocene era. For instance, the Aerocene project achieved an astounding feat by floating in the air, free from carbon emissions, in numerous flights, including tethered, free, and human flights. Notably, the 2020 project “Fly with Aerocene Pacha” stood in solidarity with indigenous communities, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices.
One of Saraceno’s innovative initiatives is Arachnophilia, an interdisciplinary research community that emerged from his collaborations with humans, spiders, and their webs. This collaboration led to the development of the Spider/Web Scan, a groundbreaking technique for creating precise 3-D models of complex spider webs. Saraceno’s work extends to global communities and institutions, with a focus on promoting a more balanced coexistence of human, techno-, and bio-diversity.
He has held numerous residencies, published in prestigious journals such as Nature and PNAS, delivered a TED talk, and actively engaged with international forums like COP20, COP21, and COP26. Additionally, he has lectured at renowned institutions worldwide, including Princeton, Columbia, Centre Pompidou, and more.
Saraceno’s artistic contributions are evident in solo exhibitions and permanent installations in esteemed museums and institutions internationally, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. His participation in major festivals and biennales, including the Venice Architecture Biennale, underscores the significance of his work in the global art landscape.
In this lecture, we will delve into the fascinating world of Tomás Saraceno, exploring his efforts to challenge prevailing notions, promote sustainability, and foster a deeper understanding of our place within the complex web of life. His work serves as a thought-provoking source of inspiration for the current era of ecological and environmental awareness.
We look forward to seeing you at this lecture.