Workshops, Speakers & Art Performances

Experience a dynamic blend of academic dialogue, artistic expression, and cultural exploration designed to provoke thought and inspire new ideas.

Highlights of Workshops, Performances, and Special Experiences: 

• Do You Know What Science Art Is?
  An introduction to a revolutionary art genre blending science and creativity, led by Dr. Friedrich R. Bliem, Freelance Artist, Austria, & Dr. Gottfried Himmler, YGION Biomedical, Vienna, Austria.

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• Arthanatos
  Dr. Magdalena Germek (Postgraduate School ZRC SAZU & Academy of Fine Arts Ljubljana, Slovenia) and Vasko Atanasovski (Composer & Multi-Instrumentalist, Slovenia)
  A live philosophical–musical performance merging reflective narration with improvised saxophone and flute to explore time, embodiment, and the human–nature relationship through both scientific and artistic perspectives. Through shifting light, sound, and cyclical storytelling, the piece invites audiences to sense ecological crisis as an embodied experience and reflect on planetary transformation.

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• Navigate: Astrophysics through Physical Theater
  Sarah Stearns, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain   
  A solo live art performance (via prerecorded video + virtual discussion) that uses physical theater, narration, sea-myth imagery and shadow puppetry to translate complex astrophysics concepts into an imaginative, accessible story. Through the character of Hypatia, a ship’s figurehead turned space-traveller, the piece invites audiences to reimagine the cosmos and reflect on how performance can communicate science in creative, educational ways.

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• The Interplay Between Language, Cognition, and Creativity as a Foundation for Leadership Development and Innovation Management
  Dr. Ildikó-Csilla Takács, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania
  This workshop explores how language, cognitive processes, and creativity interact to shape effective, innovative leadership in today’s dynamic organizational environments. Through interactive tasks and case-based reflection, participants learn how linguistic framing and cognitive flexibility can enhance communication, inspire creativity, and support strategic decision-making.

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• Educating the Eye: Practical Tools for Engaging with Contemporary Painting
  Dr. Sofia Torres, i2ADS – Research Institute in Art, Design and Society, University of Porto, Portugal
  This workshop introduces accessible, step-by-step methodologies for “slow looking” and structured visual analysis, helping participants move beyond the idea that “all readings are subjective” and instead develop informed interpretations of contemporary painting. Through guided exercises, group work, and case studies of key modern artists, it equips participants from any discipline with practical tools in visual literacy to better understand and discuss contemporary art in a science–art dialogue.

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• Why Don’t Social Contribution Activities Last? – Sustainable Life and Digital Asset: A Self-Sovereign Framework for Traceable and Incentivized Environmental Actions
  Assoc. Prof. Junichi Suzuki (Dentsu Group Inc., The University of Tokyo & The Open University of Japan), Dr. Yuki Minoda (Panasonic Holdings Corporation), and Mr. Theodore Achtem (Field Experiment Lead), Japan/USA.
  This workshop explores why long-term citizen participation in sustainability often fails, presenting a Self-Sovereign Information Environment (SSIE) that uses decentralized tokens and traceable environmental actions to create lasting, incentive-based engagement. Through real pilot cases from Japan and India, the session demonstrates how individuals can own, verify, and convert their environmental contributions into digital assets that strengthen civic trust and sustained ecological behavior.

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• Climate Imbalance Reflection on Water Scarcity
  Moderators: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Inga Grinfelde, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) & Lietuvos Inžinerijos Kolegija, Latvia/Lithuania; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vilda Grybauskienė, Lietuvos Inžinerijos Kolegija, Lithuania.
  This workshop examines how climate imbalance is transforming hydrological regimes from water abundance to scarcity, using case studies from the Baltic region and Central Europe to illustrate emerging risks. Through scientific presentations and interactive discussion, participants will explore indicators of water scarcity, climate impacts on water balance, and practical adaptation strategies based on data-driven modeling, integrated management, and nature-based solutions.

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• Creative Workshop on Planning a Sustainable Urban Environment on a Human Scale
  Moderators: Dr. Arch. Andra Ulme, Mg. Arch. Dace Kalvāne, and Mag. Art. PhD candidate Elīna Elere, Riga Technical University (RTU), Latvia.
  This hands-on workshop guides participants through human-scaled, sustainable urban design by reimagining Islandes Square in Riga as an inclusive, ecological, and multifunctional public space. Through on-site analysis, creative sketching, and collaborative ideation, participants develop visionary yet practical proposals that integrate architecture, ecology, and community-oriented design for future-ready urban environments.

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• Living with Water: Integrating Nature-Based Solutions and Flood Retention on Private Land for Resilient Regions
  Moderators: Dr. Habil. Eng. Răreș Halbac-Cotoară-Zamfir, Support Centre for Climate Action (CSAC), Politehnica University of Timișoara, Romania, and Mrs. Cristina Halbac-Cotoară-Zamfir, LAND4CLIMATE/ELCA collaborator, Romania
  This interactive workshop explores how nature-based solutions and flood retention on private land can strengthen regional resilience to climate change, drawing on international case studies from the IWA–LAND4FLOOD network. Through a World Café format, participants will co-develop practical governance, legal, and financial strategies to engage landowners and implement green–blue infrastructure for flood risk reduction.

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• Holistic Integration of Renewable Energy Sources and Storage Systems to Maximize Energy Performance
  Moderators: Prof. Gheorghe Lăzăroiu, Dr. Andra-Teodora Nedelcu and Dr. Sorin Sintea, energy systems researchers, Romania
  This workshop presents holistic strategies for integrating renewable generation, storage technologies, and advanced control into modern power grids, drawing on results from the MAREHC project to enhance resilience, flexibility, and carbon-neutral operation.

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• Art Exhibition by Friedrich R. Bliem
  Featuring surrealistic and post-impressionistic works that merge science and art, creating a visual exploration of scientific concepts.

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subject to change and regularly updated...

Special Experiences Await You:

• Exclusive Welcome Concert to set the perfect tone for the event.

• Osterreich Gold Special Sparkling Wine served with every coffee break.

• Traditional Austrian Heuriger Dinner with an authentic cultural program.

Enjoy the captivating When Science Meets Art conference events, where art and science merge seamlessly, enriching the dialogue between creativity and scholarly innovation.