The Department of Audio and Visual Arts at the Ionian University’s School of Music and Audiovisual Arts announces the Master of Arts by Research (MARes) in Hybrid Arts for the academic year 2025-2026. Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications exclusively online at https://future.ionio.gr/mares/ by Friday, June 20, 2025, at 16:00 (CET).

The Master of Research (MARes) in Hybrid Arts program at the Ionian University has been privileged to host an extraordinary lineup of guest speakers throughout the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. These distinguished visitors have brought diverse perspectives and cutting-edge practices to our students, enriching our academic community with their unique insights at the intersection of art, technology, science, and sustainability. As the first semester draws to a close, we look back at the remarkable series of presentations that have stimulated thought, creativity, and innovation.

The MARes in Hybrid Arts program announces the opening of applications for the Half-Tuition Waiver for Merit-Based Achievement. This initiative provides financial support covering 50% of semester tuition fees (1,000€) for one (1) eligible student who demonstrates academic excellence.

Vaia Tsiokou, postgraduate student in the Master of Arts by Research in Hybrid Arts (MARes) at the Ionian University, presented during the Art & Technology III session of the 7th International Conference on Digital Culture & AudioVisual Challenges (DCAC2025) on Saturday, May 10th, 2025, a communication based on her research project titled “Living Architectures: Merging Natural Emergence with Human Design Intent through Computational Design Strategies”.

The Department of Audio and Visual Arts at the Ionian University gladly announces the participation of the first postgraduate students of the new programme Master of Research (MARes) in Hybrid Arts in the DCAC 2025 Conference through a poster exhibition titled "In Between States: Research in Hybrid Arts."

In this session, Angeliki Malakasioti will explore the role of visual storytelling in scientific communication, focusing on the research poster as both a medium and a message. Drawing from her background in architecture, digital media, and speculative design, she will share practical strategies for creating effective, visually compelling posters that not only inform but engage and inspire. Emphasis will be placed on design choices, layout logic, visual hierarchy, and how aesthetic clarity can enhance the visibility and impact of scientific work.

Matthias Fritsch works as a film maker, visual artist and permaculturist. The last years he is working with organic materials and organisms, researching about circles of matter and biological processes. Since 2020, he co-runs a large forest garden near Berlin. His goal is to find a working methodology and lifestyle that decreases the individual environmental impact. During his talk he will present the projects, Waldgartenpilot Rehfelde, Experimental Gardens & a Shade Tree Nursery (large forest garden near Berlin), Ecopolis, Composting Furniture, The Mediterranean Garden (cope with global warming), Mycelium Network and Fungi Factor. He will discuss the importance and challenges of working with soil and organic matter for artists projects and systems for living. Defining his practice as Permakunst, he will address the needs of producing, presenting and maintaining such projects, and refer to their connection to other ecological practices.

Professor Erik Knudsen will present insights from StoryLab, a research programme funded twice by the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC). StoryLab explores, both philosophically and creatively, how independent filmmakers can discover and develop a personal voice through their practice, with a particular emphasis on the early ideation stages of cinematic expression. Date & Time: 30, April, 2025, 17:00-19:00.

The Master of Research (MARes) in Hybrid Arts at the Ionian University proudly announces the successful completion of the Winter School 2025, held from March 31 to April 4, 2025, at the Annex of the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) on the island of Hydra. Titled “Methodology of Hybrid Arts,” the Winter School brought together students, faculty, and guest experts for a full week of seminars, mentoring, experimental workshops, and peer-to-peer exchange on hybrid artistic research methodologies. The Winter School was co-organized by the InArts Laboratory of the Ionian University and the C’ Sculpture Studio of ASFA, reinforcing inter-institutional collaboration. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, the program explored connections between art, science, technology, and social engagement.

The Yeditepe University in Istanbul will host the event "Spring Meetings In Design" on April 14 with talks by Prof. Dalila Honorato, at 11:00 AM, “Submerged Narratives in Academic Publishing - Presenting TTT2023 Malta” and by Dr. Adam Zaretsky, at 1 PM, “Living Organisms of Istanbul: Water Based Anatomical Morphology in Flux”.

The Master of Research (MARes) in Hybrid Arts by the Ionian University (IU) is proud to announce its Winter School 2024-2025 “Methodology of Hybrid Arts” schedule, taking place from March 31 to April 4, 2025, at the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) Annex in Hydra. This initiative is co-organized by the InArts Laboratory of the IU and the C' Sculpture Studio of ASFA, facilitating cross-institutional collaboration.

The upcoming presentation explores the intersection of biomusic, electroacoustic composition, and affective technology, focusing on how sonified physiological data (brainwaves, heart rate, galvanic skin response) can shape immersive and interactive sound experiences. Date & Time: Μonday, 17/03/2025, 17:00

Ethics means thinking about how to live on this planet that we share with other beings, including how to make decisions and how to act towards others. In this session, we will challenge some long-held assumptions and biases in the field of ethics, and explore how we can arrive at a more universal and compassionate ethical framework. Guest Speaker: Jonathan Leighton, ethics strategist, writer and social change activist

MARes faculty Dr. Adam Zaretsky, will deliver a seminar on March 21, as part of the Renée Crown Honors Symposium at Syracuse University. This event is a collaboration between Boryana Rossa (VPA), Karin Nisenbaum (Philosophy),  and Heidi Hehnly, with support from the Renée Crown Honors Program Team and Director, Danielle T Smith.

The Catharsis Theater Group makes its debut by presenting the original play "Ο Θεός των Σκουπιδιών" directed and written by Aris Kakleas. Tatiana Yfanti, a student of the MARes in Hybrid Arts program, participates in this project as an assistant director as well as a video and graphic designer.