The AREA doctoral school organizes its first event bringing together all those interested in artistic research at Aalto University. The event explores the role and celebrates the history, presence, and future of artistic research at Aalto University, in all its diverse processes and materialities. We are currently seeking contribution proposals for AeRaTe exhibition and symposium. Contributions can be made in the form of talks, artworks, visual displays, performances, screenings and alternate forms of presentation. AeRaTe offers a platform for researchers from different disciplines and research groups to come together and share their approaches to artistic research.

To aerate is to breathe, activate, ventilate, protect, and nurture, bringing to life that which is dormant. Aeration is a transformative process, always in motion, creating fertile soil for novel artistic practices, growth in artistic research, and pollination of unprecedented notions and theories.  

The theme of Aerate can be approached and understood through the material processes of aeration, or to oxygenate, and can be utilized as a lens to explore further the following topics:    

Material and Matter: How can new elements, processes, or treatments be introduced to aerate or transform material relations? 

Corporeality: In what way can bodily connections be changed, altered or modified through aeration? 

 Exposure: How can the process of “airing out” be understood in relation to local, practice-based and philosophical explorations? 

Aesthetics of Artistic Research: What alternative modes of presentation can aerate pre-existing aesthetic conventions in artistic research? 

We warmly invite submissions from fellow Aalto University artistic researchers (master, doctoral, post doc) to propose presentations in the form of short symposium talks, artworks, visual displays, performances, screenings, and/or alternate forms of presentation (something beyond the usual presentation strategies). In addition, we welcome contributions from other disciplines, which have a connection to artistic practices and can contribute to the aerate discussions.   

The submission proposals must include an abstract (max 300 words) and cv and can additionally include illustrations, photographs, audio or video presentation, or an alternative format that suits what you aim to present. Please specify any spatial and technical requirements in your submission, bearing in mind that one will need to oversee their own installation and rental/setup of technical gear for the exhibition. Any questions can be addressed to https://area.aalto.fi 

Timeline:  

Deadline for proposals: January 17th, 2025 

Notification for acceptance of proposals: February 28th, 2025 

Exhibition: MAY 5-12th, 2025 @ Marsio Event Studio 

Symposium: May 5th 2025, 9:30 - 17:00 @ Marsio Stage  

Closing Gathering May 12th 2025, 17:00-19.00 @ Marsio Event Studio