5th of December 2024, 16.00-17.00 CET
Those working in the field of Earth Observation might be very familiar with the inherent beauty and artistic nature of many of the images which satellites collect. You may also have seen satellite images and EO products being used in documentaries or news articles. But have you ever thought of how EO can be at the heart of story telling, be used by other disciplines to pass on a cultural or socio-economic message? Have you ever thought of the cultural value or social impact of technology?
The Waag Future Lab aims to reflect on this question, with a starting point that “technology is not neutral”. Working with a trans-disciplinary team of artists, scientists and designers, they reflect on technology and social innovation, enabling as many people as possible to design an open, fair and inclusive future.
Within their Space Lab, this reflection focuses on how the Earth is portrayed through Earth Observation and satellite imagery, arguing that the images and facts that are portrayed influence the way we shape our image of the planet and, in turn, the way we talk about the Earth and the decisions we make.
Working across disciplines, they invite the technical-scientific community to reflect on the potential societal impact of EO technologies and the work they carry out, whilst empowering the non-technical-scientific community to embrace and use EO-based information in cultural, artistic, and socio-economic work. All the while supporting the very “factual use” of EO and satellite imagery in different forms of media.
So, don your creative hats, and join us for the last EOcafe of the year, as our host Geoff Sawyer (EARSC Strategic Advisor and former Secretary General) and Miha Tursic (Waag Space Lab lead) explore the links between art, culture and Earth Observation, reflecting on the societal impact and cultural value of technologies such as EO, and how EO outputs can be used in socio-cultural studies and be integrated into art.
Some questions that could be addressed during this EOcafe include:
- What is Waag? What is a FutureLab?
- What do we mean by “art”? How can this be interpreted and linked to EO?
- What are the different ways EO can be used in art?
- What do we mean when we talk about the cultural or societal value of technologies? Are there concrete examples? And how could this transform the way we work with EO?
- How can the EO community facilitate the use and accessibility of EO by non-technical/scientific user communities?
- How can this process inform the way we talk about environmental science and the environment more generally?
- How can the European EO community get involved? More specifically, are there any opportunities for the EO industry?
Registration: The webinar is open to all. Registration is free but compulsory.
Please note this is a virtual event!
EOcafe is part of a series of EARSC meetings that offer timely, relevant, and practical information on a broad variety of topics related to the EO sector. Join us every two weeks to discuss and network while enjoying a cup of coffee with friends.
IMPORTANT NOTES!!!
- The use of a video camera is not mandatory but is encouraged to facilitate better interaction between the attendees and the guest speaker(s).
- The EOcafe will stay open after 17:00 in case our guests want to continue the discussion.
- By registering for this event, you accept the terms and conditions (https://earsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EARSC_Events_GDPR.pdf).
If you have any questions, and/or you want to know more about the EOcafe, and/or you want to share an idea about a future EOcafe, please contact Tanya Walker (tanya.walker@earsc.org).
