Biophilia is a residency for artists interested in ecology and life sciences to interact with the living world. It will take place over a week in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada in the summer of 2020. The residency will involve twice daily guided excursions into natural habitats for collection of materials and exploration of a wide range of Canadian wilderness. Expeditions into forests, wildlife sanctuaries, farms and research labs will be enriched by biologists, naturalists and specialists.

Artist talk: 

We invite you to give a private artist talk to share your work with the group. 

Biodiversity:

A guided hike through the Gatineau Forest with an expert on invasive species. 

Backstage tour of the Museum of Nature art collection and natural history research archives.

Mycology:

Hike and forage with a mushroom expert in the Gatineau Forest.

During a demonstration of sterile tek for DIY biology experiments, we will inoculate grain with bioluminescent fungus for residents to take home and grow on their own glow in the dark mushrooms. 

Botany:

A tour of the local wild flowers and herbs of The Wild Garden to learn about their healing properties and sustainability.

Artists talk by Kirilian photographer Marie Jean Musiol.

Entomology:

We will set up a moth lure to observe the local moths with artist Jim des Rivieres who will give a workshop on high resolution scanning of insects.

Visit the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes.

Visit a laboritory of bee physiology at Ottawa University.

Ornithology:

Call owls and listen to nocturnal birds on an owl prowl.

Bats:

Make an ultrasonic listening device to hear the chirps of bats.

Hike at night with a bat expert to use our new devices. (A good possibility of seeing fire flies)

Augmented Biology:

A guided visit to the Center for Nanophysics to learn about synthetic biology.

Duration of residency
The residency will take place over a week in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada in the summer of 2019.

Disciplines supported and technical information
All disciplines are supported. No science experience necessary.

Accommodation
Residents will be picked up in Ottawa and driven to the Ayatana residency house, where they will have a bed and bedding and will be driven to all activities. Meals will be provided.

Studio/ workspace
Indoor and outdoor workspace is available but most of our time will be spent in the field.

Fees
Residency fee is $1300 USD

Expectations towards the artist
Residents are not expected to produce work during the program. Residents are invited to give a 20 minute artist talk to the group.

Application information
Application instructions are on the program website

Selection process
Residency places are limited to 6 artists. Selected applicants will be notified shortly after the application deadline.