The Ionian University’s Department of Audio & Visual Arts successfully concluded the TTTfellows: Art and Science Residency Fall 2024, a dynamic fusion of artistic and scientific inquiry held from September 23 to October 4 (online) and October 7-18 in-person on the island of Corfu. Organized within the framework of Rewilding Cultures and co-financed by the European Union, this residency fostered cross-disciplinary collaboration and featured innovative projects by artists and researchers Dr. Heidi Hehnly-Chang and Dr. Boryana Rossa.
Over the course of the residency, participants explored hybrid methods blending biotechnology, mythology, and marine biology. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Corfu Central Public Historical Library, Corfu Tech Lab, Corfu Aquarium, and the Bioinformatics and Human Electrophysiology Lab (BiHELab), creating a multifaceted environment for experiential learning and creative exploration.
Featured Fellows and Projects
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Dr. Heidi Hehnly-Chang (USA), a molecular biologist with expertise in cellular mechanisms, examined future scenarios where mammalian embryos might develop outside the uterus. Her project envisions an art-science dialogue on the ethical, biological, and societal implications of ex-utero development, drawing comparisons to developmental processes in other species. By utilizing models like D. rerio and C. elegans, her research team bridges cell biology, biochemistry, and imaging, offering profound insights into tissue development.
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Dr. Boryana Rossa (Bulgaria/USA), Associate Chair at Syracuse University's Department of Film and Media Arts, delivered an interdisciplinary performance-lecture inspired by mythological reproductive narratives and current biotechnological advancements. Rossa’s work uses video, mural, and performative elements to question the intersections of reproduction, hospitality, and gender, while envisioning mythological propagation as a literal, rather than metaphorical, possibility in today’s world.
Highlights and Public Events
TTTfellows embraced DIWO (Do-It-With-Others) and DITO (Do-It-Together) cultures, fostering collective learning and experimentation. Notable sessions included a Workshop-Performance held on October 11 at Corfu Aquarium in Paleokastritsa. Led by Hehnly-Chang, Rossa, and residency coordinator Adam Zaretsky, this interactive workshop integrated artistic creation with marine biology insights, emphasizing hands-on learning inspired by the local environment. Corfu Aquarium, known for its dedication to marine conservation and education, provided an ideal setting to merge art and environmental science.
On October 15, as part of the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Department of Audio & Visual Arts, Hehnly-Chang, Rossa, and Zaretsky presented their work at the Charis Katsoulis Hall (Old Psychiatric Hospital in Corfu). The lecture facilitated by Dalila Honorato highlighted pioneering intersections between contemporary artistic practices, scientific research, and technological innovation, offering students an unprecedented glimpse into bio-art and hybrid methodologies.
The residency included an online component where the fellows interacted on the topics of of human genetic engineering with the "oracles": curators Dr. Sunčica Ostoić and Dr. Olga Majcen Linn and artists Charlotte Jarvis and Laura Splan. Participants also undertook site-specific visits along Corfu’s northern coastline, from Lake Korission to Erimitis, engaging with the island’s biodiversity. Collaborative workspaces included the Hybrid Arts Lab (YK3/PMS Hall) and the Corfu Tech Lab - Corfu Public Library, which supported an environment conducive to creative experimentation and interdisciplinary discussions.
This TTTfellows residency underscored Ionian University’s commitment to fostering innovative, boundary-crossing research in art and science. Comprehensive documentation, including video highlights and a mini-documentary, is forthcoming and will provide insights into the rich dialogues and creative outcomes achieved throughout the residency.
