STARTS PRIZE´20: Speculating on the future through art and science

The meeting of science, technology and the arts (STARTS) is the favoured basis for finding innovative responses to the social, ecological and economic challenges that Europe will be facing in the near future.

Every year the STARTS Prize rewards projects that bring significant progress in this field, on an initiative of the European Commission relayed by Ars Electronica in collaboration with BOZAR and Waag. In this respect, art plays a catalytic role, disseminating scientific and technological knowledge to the general public. As a result, the selected projects demonstrate a successful collaboration between art and science, acknowledging a work of art that changes the perception of technology and a creation that combines innovative forms of cooperation between the private sector and the world of culture.

Our exhibition showcases the winners. This year the two grand prizes go to Andrea Ling and Olga Kisseleva. With Design by Decay, Decay by Design, Andrea Ling (CA) won the award in the category “Artistic Exploration”. Her work deals with the natural process of decay as a tool for a waste-free world. In the “Innovative Collaboration” category, Olga Kisseleva (RU) won the award for ” EDEN – Éthique – Durable – Écologie – Nature “, which uses endangered tree species to explore non-human communication and networking.

This year, the exhibition will be held over three locations. Most of the exhibition will take place at BOZAR, but two artworks will also be presented at iMAL in Molenbeek. You can discover some of the artworks exclusively online, via the digital visitor’s guide. 

Watch the guided tour of the exhibition, with the artworks selected from STARTS Prize winners and honorary mentions:

Watch the interviews with the artists and discover more about the exhibited artworks: