For humanization of technology

RUK is a network of research centers at the intersection of art, science and technology. In this interdisciplinary triangle, we are developing innovative products and services for the soft and humane technology of the future. The investment is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund. More ...

Residencies

RUK x DDTlab International Residency Program: Varvara & Mar

18.03.2021 11:15

In March (15–24 March 2021) DDTlab is conducting the second international residency of the RUK network. We are pleased to announce that Varvara & Mar, an internationally renowned artist duo, has arrived to Trbovlje! Their artistic research practice is based on connections, interdependencies, and frictions between social change and technological progress, and at DDTlab, they will develop projects in the field of robotics.

Upon arrival, Varvara & Mar already met the robotic arm Yaski and the robot Eva and began the intensive development of their ideas that will finally be realized at the end of their 14day research in DDTlab.

Varvara & Mar will also present their work at KIBLIX 2021. The artist talk will take place on Wednesday, 24 March 2021, at 6 p.m. CET and live-streamed at kiblix.org/streaming. The conversation with the artists will be moderated by Irena Borić.

Varvara & Mar is an artist duo formed by Varvara Guljajeva and Mar Canet in 2009. Their work is often inspired by the digital age. In their practice, they confront social changes and the impact of the technological era. In addition to that, Varvara & Mar are fascinated by artificial intelligence, kinetics, participation, and digital fabrication, which are integral parts of their work. They have exhibited their art pieces in a number of international shows and festivals such as MAD in New York, FACT in Liverpool, Santa Monica in Barcelona, Barbican and V&A Museum in London, Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens, Ars Electronica museum in Linz, ZKM in Karlsruhe, etc. In addition to that, the duo has completed various commissions, like Neuronal Landscapes (2018) for Estonian History Museum, Wishing Wall (2014) for Google and Barbican in frames of Digital Revolution exhibition, and more. In 2017 they completed a public art commission in Tallinn for NUKU Theatre and have been awarded several times the 2nd and the 3rd prizes for public art in Estonia.

Varvara (born in Tartu, Estonia) has a Ph.D. in art from the Estonian Academy of Arts. Her dissertation From interaction to post-participation: the disappearing role of the active participant can be found here. Varvara also has a master’s degree in digital media from ISNM in Germany and a bachelor’s degree in IT from Estonian IT College.

Mar (born in Barcelona) has two degrees: in art and design from ESDI in Barcelona and computer game development from University Central Lancashire in the UK. He also has gained a master’s degree from Interface Cultures Interface at the University of Art and Design Linz. Currently, he is a Ph.D. candidate in BFM at Tallinn University and a research fellow at Cudan Open Lab. In addition to that, Mar is a co-founder of Derivart and Lummo.

Varvara and Mar are both members of the Estonian Artists Association.

Webpage: http://var-mar.info/about/
Photo: Najhin

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