Berlin Science Week is back with a diverse programme of workshops, screenings, performances and more. With core events at the Naturkunde Museum, and satellite pop-ups across the city, there’s plenty to explore. Here’s our top seven round up:
Science Week Campus at Naturkundemuseum & Humboldt University
On Friday 4th and Saturday 5th, Mitte’s Naturkundemuseum will be transformed into the Science Week Campus. Here, you can take part in a variety of free workshops and events. Curious about AI? You can catch the public discussions, ‘RETHINKING Humans and Machines’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence: Ethical Questions‘. Or if you’ve ever wondered about ‘Who Owns Science‘, it looks like the Bayer Foundation conveniently has the answer, as they’re holding a forum on the matter. For more on pharmaceutical multinationals, you can visit ‘Green Science! Green Medicine? How the Pharmaceutical Industry can Co-Create a Sustainable NOW‘. While online registration for many Science Week Campus events is already full, organisers suggest showing up anyway as there will likely be extra space available.
Beatie Wolfe: Environmental Art as Activism
Visionary artist Beatie Wolfe will be giving a talk at the Berlin Science Week Campus on Saturday 5th (16:00 – 17:00). Wolfe’s been hailed as one of the “22 people changing the world”. She’s spoken at Nobel Prize summits, beamed her music into space, and pioneered sustainable vinyl technologies with Brian Eno. Her talk at Science Week will be on the relationship between art and environmental activism – it’s not one to miss. We recently interviewed Beatie about her art and activism, which you can read here.
- Science Week Campus, Naturkundemuseum, Invalidenstraße 43, details, 4.10 – 5.10.22.
How to kill a cloud
Tuija Halttunen’s documentary How to Kill a Cloud follows Finnish scientist Hannele Korhonen’s involvement in an ambitious project to control rain clouds over arid regions. How to Kill a Cloud poses timely questions around the ethics of science in an age of catastrophic climate change, and does so with vulnerability – and even humour. This free screening is a must-see part of Berlin Science Week.
- Futurium, Alexanderufer 2, Mitte, details. The film screening is on Saturday, Nov 5 (19:30 – 19:45).
Haptic Hortus: Touching Plants, or: how to turn a derelict nail salon into a botanical garden for a week
With the sense of touch at its core, ‘Haptic Hortus’ explores how human and plant life interact on a sensory level. The installation and workshops take place at a former nail salon on Hermanstraße, which of course has its own history of touch and tactility. The exhibition is open to the public, and reservations for the workshop can be made online.
- Studio Nagelneu/Prinzessinnengärten, Hermannstraße 103, Neukölln, details. The installation can be visited from Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 Nov (16:00 – 20:00), and workshop times vary depending on day.
CHOM5KY VS CHOMSKY: A playful conversation on AI
CHOM5SKY vs CHOMSKY take a playful approach to the omnipotence of AI. Fitted with VR goggles, visitors are introduced to a captivatingly realistic AI imagining of famous linguist Noam Chomsky. With humour and active engagement, creator Sandra Rodgriguez aims to build a critical conversation around automation and human intelligence. Tickets can be purchased through the Science Week website.
- KINDL – Zentrum für zeitgenössische Kunst, Am Sudhaus 3, Neukölln, details. The installation is open Saturday 5 to Sunday 20 Nov (12:00 – 20:00) (closed Mondays and Tuesday).
Machined music
Berlin is certainly no stranger to the relationship between music and technology. ‘Machined Music’ examines the ways in which music can be automated through technology – from evolutionary models to machine learning. The event includes a panel discussion bringing together experts in arts and science. Following this, electronic musician Moisés Horta Valenzuela will give a 45-minute performance utilising some of the techniques discussed. Admission is free but reserve your space online.
- CAMPUS, Invalidenstraße 43, Mitte, details. The panel discussion and performance will take place on Friday, Nov 9 (20:00 – 21:30).
Why do I have to charge my phone twice a day?
With a question we’ve all probably asked at some point, this public discussion considers the ageing mechanism of lithium batteries. These power everything from vapes, e-bikes and scooters, to our trusty mobile phones. With each charge, lithium batteries break down, and once completely depleted, find themselves in landfills and electronic waste dumps. ‘Why do I have to charge my phone twice a day?’ asks how we can make batteries more sustainable in the future. It presents a new project which aims to develop a fast and affordable way for lithium battery producers to assess the sustainability of their products. This is a free virtual event, and the link can be accessed via the Science Week website.
- Virtual event, details. The event is on Thursday, Nov 10 (15:00 – 16:00).
Musical weirdo and visionary artist Beatie Wolfe will make a virtual appearance at Berlin Science Week on November 5. Read our interview with her here.