Opening Night Talks for
 “Layers of Life: What is Life in the Biotech Era?”

Presentations and panel review of American Arts Incubator – Poland projects exhibited in “Layers of Life: What is Life in the Biotech Era?” including keynote speeches by Amy Karle: “New Media Diplomacy” & “Empowerment in the BioTech Era”

Wystawa Warstwy życia:
Czym jest życie w erze biotechnologii?
Wernisaż: 11 maja 2018 r.

18.30 prezentacja prac – sala audytoryjna Centrum Nauki Kopernik

20.00 wernisaż wystawy – Pawilon 512 Centrum Nauki Kopernik (przy bulwarach wiślanych)

21.30 pokaz specjalny Amy Karle oraz uczestników projektu

Centrum Nauki Kopernik
ul. Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 20
Pawilonie 512
00-390 Warsaw, Poland

EVENT LINKS:

US Embassy Event Announcement   US Embassy Event Conclusion  

Kopernik Event Page   Facebook Event Page

Presentations in Polish and English with simultaneous translation services.

OPENING NIGHT: PRESENTATIONS & PANEL REVIEW

May 11th, 2018, the opening night for “Layers of Life: What is Life in the Biotech Era?” is the culmination of American Arts Incubator led by Artist Diplomat and teacher/facilitator Amy Karle. The evening kicks off with a high-energy business incubator style pitch event, where participants present their projects to compete for funding to continue their work before  a 200+ member audience and esteemed panelists: Aleksandra Hirszfeld — philosopher, artist, curator, writer/journalist; Joanna Jeśman — Culture Expert, Professor, Researcher; Wiktor Gajewski — Director of Copernicus Science Centre, Dan Hastings — Cultural Attaché, US Embassy Warsaw;  and Amy Karle — Bioartist, Artist Diplomat, US Department of State, American Arts incubator and Artist in Residence at Copernicus Science Centre. The presentations include introductions and commentary by Wiktor Gajewski — Director of Copernicus Science Centre, Dan Hastings — Cultural Attaché, US Embassy Warsaw; and is book-ended by opening keynote: “New Media Diplomacy” and closing keynote: “Empowerment in the BioTech Era” by Amy Karle.

After the pitch event and presentations conclude, the exhibition opens with a reception and viewing of the presented works by all groups and Amy Karle including a planetarium show by Amy Karle. Exhibition runs through May 27, 2018.

Experience artworks created through collaborations between artists, scientists and sociologists using new media technologies to reveal social and environmental dynamics; within the framework of American Arts Incubator led by Amy Karle. Along with the participants of the Layers of Life project, Artist Diplomat and mentor / facilitator Amy Karle searched for answers to questions about our humanity, limits and potential in the contemporary world. The exhibition is the final outcome of this journey. Alongside the collaborative group works, Amy Karle will also be presenting her own artworks in this exhibition including bioart sculptures, prints, performance art and an exhibition in the planetarium all made in Poland.

The opening evening includes presentations by participants about their work, an opening reception with refreshments, and a planetarium show by Amy Karle. The show is open until May 27, 2018.

“The pitches and projects were impressive and well-conceived in their creation and presentation. The judges asked poignant questions and gave great feedback! In the end, we determined all of the projects were so strong that the sustainability award funding would be divided equally amongst all groups so that they could all continue to pursue their great work. Thank you to our panelists for intriguing questions and thoughtful feedback, and thank you to the participants for your thoughtful and inspiring work!” – Amy Karle

The projects are created through collaborations between artists, scientists and sociologists using new media technologies to reveal and address social and environmental dynamics; within the framework of American Arts Incubator led by Artist Diplomat Amy Karle. Along with the participants of the Layers of Life project, Artist (and mentor / facilitator) Amy Karle searched for answers to questions about our humanity, limits and potential in the contemporary world. The exhibition and related presentations are the final outcome of this journey. Alongside the collaborative group works, Amy Karle will also be presenting her own artworks in this exhibition including bioart sculptures, prints, performance art and an exhibition in the planetarium.

As an Artist Diplomat, Amy Karle’s task is to facilitate creative expression and social innovation to empower women in STEAM. While Amy Karle was the American Arts Incubator (AAI) Artist Diplomat to Poland and Artist in Residence at Centrum Nauki Kopernik (Copernicus Science Center), she conducted research, led workshops, distributed grant funding, supported teams to create community projects using art and technology to address social issues in the model of a silicon valley type incubator – and also created artwork and an exhibition herself. The exchange concluded with a panel review, public exhibition and small grants program for participants to continue their work.

American Arts Incubator (AAI) is a cultural exchange initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs that is administered by ZERO1. AAI addresses community challenges through cross-cultural art, science, and technology collaborations. American Arts Incubator – Poland was implemented in collaboration with U.S. Embassy Warsaw and the Copernicus Science Centre.

Learn more about the projects, exhibition and American Arts Incubator – Poland at: