16-17.09.2021

Futurological Congress

Energy: The Universal Currency

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Credit: Eurac Research | Oscar Diodoro

Energy keeps our planet turning and drives all areas of human activity. Energy is life and the responsible use of it is the crucial point for sustainable development and the continued existence of our species. Since 1950, humankind has consumed more energy than in the previous 12,000 years combined. Coined the Anthropocene, this dawning of a new Earth age recognises humans as the most important factor influencing the planet's biological, geological and atmospheric processes. So, our future and that of our planet is indeed in our hands - more than ever before.

"Energy: The Universal Currency" is the theme of this year’s Futurological Congress, organised by the Center for Advanced Studies of Eurac Research in cooperation with Transart - the festival of contemporary culture. Addressing questions about the future requires all disciplines and this year’s edition not only highlights topics of energy consumption and physical energy but also seeks to consolidate the positioning of social energy, energy as a transcendental force radiated by works of art and even spiritual energy in our society. Uniting various scientific keynote speakers, open discussions and art performances, the hybrid festival will take place on 16 and 17 September both in person at the NOI Techpark and online via live streams. Speakers and performers include economist and futurologist Karin Frick, kinetic art creator Theo Jansen, the economist and former Secretary General of the Club of Rome Graeme Maxton, architect and urban technologist Areti Markopoulou, rock and experimental vocalist Daisy Press and the pianist Christoph Grund.

Program

DAY 1

17:00 – 17:05 | Opening
Foreign Tongues
Liquid Loft

17:05 – 17:15 | Opening words
Energy!
Roland Psenner, President Eurac Research

17.15 – 17.20
Voice meditation
Daisy Press, rock and experimental vocalist / Stream Marienberg

17:20 – 18:00
New life (DE)
Theo Jansen, kinetic art creator (offline)

18:00 – 18.20
Foreign Tongues
Liquid Loft

18.20 – 18.40
Energie - Relationalität im Fokus (DE)
Sibylle Trawöger, theologian and environmental engineer, Julius-Maximilians-Universität of Würzburg (offline)

18.40 – 19.00
Black holes: The most efficient energy source in the universe (EN)
Fabio Pacucci, astrophysicist, Harvard University (offline)

19:00 – 19.40
Aperitif/Dinner

19.40 – 19.50
Science & Art
statement by Harald Pechlaner, Head of the Center for Advanced Studies of Eurac Research

19.50 – 20.20
Mountain & Maiden
Christoph Grund (Piano) A film by Shmuel Hoffman & Anton von Heiseler with a composition by Sarah Nemstov for keyboard solo (with amplified piano and voice)

20.20 – 20.50
Energieperspektiven für ein lebensfreundliches Klima (DE)
Harald Desing, Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technology, Technology and Society Lab, St. Gallen (online)

20.50 – 21.05
Voice meditation
Daisy Press, rock and experimental vocalist / Stream Marienberg

21.05 – 21.35
Materializing circular design (EN)
Areti Markopoulou, architect, researcher and urban technologist, academic director IAAC - Barcelona (online)

21.35 – 21.50
UNDERWATER
Stefano Di Buduo, artist, documentary filmmaker and photographer, Stadttheater Ingolstadt

DAY 2

09:00 – 09:05 | Opening
Harald Pechlaner, Head of the Center for Advanced Studies of Eurac Research

09:05 – 09:30
Kann man mit "psychischer Energie" magische Effekte erzielen?
Walter von Lucadou, Head of the Parapsychological Counseling Center Freiburg (offline)

09:30 – 10:00
Shaman energetic songs
Daisy Press, rock and experimental vocalist / in situ

10:00 – 10:30
Soziale Energie – powered by people!
Karin Frick, Head Think Tank, Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (online)

10:30 – 11:00
Coffee break

11:00 – 11:30
Energy, climate change and the endless push for economic growth: Why we need a different mindset, not new technology
Graeme Maxton, Climate change economist, author and former secretary general of the Club of Rome (online)

11:30 – 12:15 Panel discussion
Energy and passion
Wolfram Sparber, Michaela Egarter, Graeme Maxton (offline & online)

12:15 – 12:30
Final words

Registration

Participation is free of charge.

The congress will be held in English and German. Simultaneous translation is not provided.

Speakers

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Credit: Eurac Research

Credit: Eurac Research

Follow up

You can find the follow-up report and the videos of the Futurological Congress 2021 HERE.

Organisation

Eurac Research
Center for Advanced Studies
Drususallee 1 / Viale Druso 1
39100 Bozen / Bolzano
T +39 0471 055 801
advanced.studies@eurac.edu

TRANSART Festival
Dantestraße 28 / Via Dante 28
39100 Bozen / Bolzano
T. +39 0471 673 070 / +39 0471 665 369
info@transart.it

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