Workshop

Workshop|Meet microscopic creatures with a bio-artist!

  • #Finished
  • #初心者歓迎

We are surrounded by many small, invisible creatures that shape our environment. For example, our bodies are home to 100 trillion microorganisms, more than the number of cells in our bodies, and according to one theory, they even determine our health and personality. In this workshop, bio artist Georg Tremmel will lead us to interact with invisible living creatures and cells. On the day we will use a paper microscope called "Foldscope'' and slime mold. Children are welcome to join this workshop. (This event is going to be held in English and Japanese. Both Japanese-only / English-only speaking participants are welcome.)

Sat, October 8, 2022  UTC+09:00

14:00-15:30

FabCafe Kyoto / MTRL KYOTO | View on Google Map

10 people *Up to one parent or guardian may accompany children participants.

2500 yen(Tax included, one drink included)

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Finished

Target: Elementary school students and older (for children under elementary school age, please have a parent or guardian support them)

Dive into the microscopic world with a bio artist Georg Tremmel!

There are many tiny, invisible creatures all around us. For example, there are 100 trillion microorganisms (more than our cells!) living in our bodies. This time, bio artist Georg Tremmel will lead us in a workshop where we can get in touch with invisible creatures and cells. The first step will be to assemble a paper microscope called a “Foldscope” and observe various cells. The second step will be a hands-on experience with slime mold, which is said to be one of the most mysterious of all living things.

The lecturer, Georg Tremmel, is a bio artist who has been working for many years on the theme of “What is life?”. He is also the founder and director of BioClub, a citizen science lab located in Shibuya, Tokyo. There, he has created a place where citizens can experiment and think for themselves, asking a wide range of questions from the familiar to major events happening in society, while working to open biotechnology to the public.

This event will be held as a spin-off project of SPCS, a Natural Science x Creation community based at FabCafe Kyoto.

Related project: SPCS|SPECS Season1 “WHAT IS LIFE? with Geoag Tremmel

Program 1: Assemble the Foldscope!

The Foldscope is a paper microscope developed by Manu Prakash, Associate Professor of Biotechnology at Stanford University, and his lab. Originally developed as a solution for health care in developing countries, it is now attracting attention as a tool to expand the horizons of biology. In the workshop, we will assemble this Foldscope together and take a look at various microscopic worlds! One Foldscope will be given to each participant, so please take it home and observe various things. We will also prepare samples of various cells from plants, insects, and animals. Step into the beautiful world of cells!

  • Japanese Manual by Georg Tremmel, Mariko Sakuragi & Nami Urano

Program 2: Let’s Grow Slime Mold

Do you know what slime mold is? The slime mold (a deformable fungus) is said to be intelligent and has many fans. It moves in an amoeboid shape looking for food in the shortest distance. In the workshop, let’s take advantage of this property and place food in a petri dish containing culture medium to predict and observe what patterns will appear.

Recommended for

  • Parents searching for an opportunity to experience natural science with their children in their daily lives.
  • Those interested in DIY biotechnology (biotechnological experiments using everyday items).
  • (It’s a little early for me to say this, but) Parents and children searching next year’s summer project…

Notification

Please be sure to agree to the following before participating.

  • Children under elementary school age are welcome to participate with their parents or guardians, but it may be too difficult for small children to assemble the microscope by themselves. We will ask parents/guardians to kindly support them!
  • If you would like more than one person to accompany the participant, please let us know in the additional Information Section when you register. If there are too many participants, we may ask you to bring only one person in a short notice.
  • In order to prevent the spread of new coronavirus infection, we ask that you do the following when attending the event. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
    • Please wear a mask.
    • Please wash your hands in the museum washrooms when visiting the museum.
    • Please refrain from participating in the event if your local government has issued a voluntary restraint order regarding outings and transportation.
    • Please refrain from participating if you are not feeling well.
    • The event may be canceled if the government, Kyoto Prefecture, or Kyoto City request cancellation of the event.

特定商取引法に基づく表記

Lecturer

  • Georg Tremmel

    Artist at BCL, Founder & Director at BioClub Tokyo

    Georg Tremmel is an Austrian artist, living and working in Tokyo. He studied Biology, Informatics and Media Art in Vienna and London. Since 2001 he has been working on biological, cultural, ethical and societal codes, creating objects, installations and situations for contestable discussions through the Artistic Research Framework BCL. Georg is currently a PhD Student and Project Researcher at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, working on ‘Ludic Cultures, Biological Interfaces and Non-Human Agencies. He is also a Visiting Researcher at the metaPhorest Art & Science group at Hideo Iwasaki’s Lab at Waseda University and a Guest Lecturer at the Tokyo University of Fine Arts. Georg is a co-founder and director of the BioClub Tokyo, Japan’s first Open Biolab & Biohackerspace.

    Georg Tremmel is an Austrian artist, living and working in Tokyo. He studied Biology, Informatics and Media Art in Vienna and London. Since 2001 he has been working on biological, cultural, ethical and societal codes, creating objects, installations and situations for contestable discussions through the Artistic Research Framework BCL. Georg is currently a PhD Student and Project Researcher at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, working on ‘Ludic Cultures, Biological Interfaces and Non-Human Agencies. He is also a Visiting Researcher at the metaPhorest Art & Science group at Hideo Iwasaki’s Lab at Waseda University and a Guest Lecturer at the Tokyo University of Fine Arts. Georg is a co-founder and director of the BioClub Tokyo, Japan’s first Open Biolab & Biohackerspace.

Planning

  • Nami Urano

    Loftwork Inc. / FabCafe Kyoto Marketing Div.

    After graduating from university, Nami began her work at the creative company, Loftwork, where she was in charge of planning and managing business events and community management. At this time, her focus was on encouraging industry and university collaboration, specifically between Japanese companies and international universities. In 2018, Nami moved to Loftwork in Kyoto where she is in charge of PR, marketing, and recruitment. In 2020, Nami was involved in the launch and management of FabCafe Kyoto’s project-in-residency program, COUNTER POINT. From 2022, Nami launched SPCS (“Species”), a community that explores the uncontrollability of nature. Nami is interested in creating chaos in place, taking inspiration from her personal experiences of living in Folkehøjskole, Denmark, experiencing a kibbutz in Israel, and the fermentation club activities she co-hosted with chef Momoyo Morimoto.

    After graduating from university, Nami began her work at the creative company, Loftwork, where she was in charge of planning and managing business events and community management. At this time, her focus was on encouraging industry and university collaboration, specifically between Japanese companies and international universities. In 2018, Nami moved to Loftwork in Kyoto where she is in charge of PR, marketing, and recruitment. In 2020, Nami was involved in the launch and management of FabCafe Kyoto’s project-in-residency program, COUNTER POINT. From 2022, Nami launched SPCS (“Species”), a community that explores the uncontrollability of nature. Nami is interested in creating chaos in place, taking inspiration from her personal experiences of living in Folkehøjskole, Denmark, experiencing a kibbutz in Israel, and the fermentation club activities she co-hosted with chef Momoyo Morimoto.

Timetable

13:45 – 14:00

Reception

14:00 – 15:00

Assemble the Foldscope

15:00 – 15:30

Grow Slime Mold

Information

Date & Time

Sat, October 8, 2022 14:00-15:30 UTC+09:00

Venue

FabCafe Kyoto / MTRL KYOTO
Motoshiogamacho 554, Kyoto Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8119, Japan
* No parking is available.
View on Google Map

Fee

2500 yen(Tax included, one drink included)

Capacity

10 people *Up to one parent or guardian may accompany children participants.

Finished

Target: Elementary school students and older (for children under elementary school age, please have a parent or guardian support them)

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