From November 2 to 6, 2024, Dr. Iakovos Panagopoulos, Assistant Professor at the Department of Audio and Visual Arts of the Ionian University and member of the InArts Lab (https://inarts.eu/en/research/film-praxis/), will participate in the consortium meeting of the European Program “Rewilding Cultures” to be held in São Luís, Portugal, hosted by the Cultivamos Cultura cultural center. During the meeting, Dr. Panagopoulos, under the guidance of the Scientific Coordinator, Professor Dr. Dalila Honorato, and Dr. Adam Zaretsky, Artistic Director of TTTlabs and TTTfellows, will have the opportunity to discuss innovative approaches being developed in the fields of environmental sustainability, artistic research, and integration into artistic productions with other partners.
The “Rewilding Cultures” program aims to rethink and restart artistic and creative processes in research, production, presentation, and dissemination, addressing environmental and inclusion issues as central concerns of the modern era. With the goal of discovering new artistic practices that combine art with science and technology, the program seeks to provide platforms for knowledge and experience exchange between artists and researchers from all over Europe.
“Rewilding Cultures” is an initiative of the Feral Labs Network and is supported by the European Creative Europe Program. It is coordinated by the Projekt Atol Institute (Slovenia) and includes partners such as Schmiede (Austria), Cultivamos Cultura (Portugal), The Culture Yard / Helsingør Kommune (Denmark), Udruga Radiona (Croatia), Bioart Society (Finland), Makery.info (France), and the Ionian University.
The project focuses on the concept of “recalibrating” artistic productions and practices with environmental and social consciousness, incorporating technologies and new approaches in art, to bring about positive change. The idea of “rewilding” in the field of cultural actions is interpreted as an attempt to revive wilderness, imagination, and collective experience, while addressing the challenges arising from technological progress and the environmental crisis.
“Rewilding Cultures” is part of the Feral Labs Network, an initiative based on collaboration between creators, promoting experiential and experimental learning through joint workshops and dialogues. The network’s activities focus on new approaches to art and technology, enhancing cultural exchange with a focus on sustainability and accessibility.
The presence of the Ionian University team reinforces the institution’s commitment to artistic research that fosters social and environmental change, opening new perspectives for the integration of art in addressing contemporary challenges.