The Research Development Office (RDO) is excited to announce the funding of a new project for 2026 through RIO’s Artist-in-Residence program which brings art and science together to illuminate important questions and big ideas.
The project, titled “Slow, Flexible and Everywhere: Algae and Lichen Redefine Success,” will be led by co-principal investigators Diane Willow (College of Liberal Arts (CLA), Daniel Stanton (College of Biological Sciences, CBS), Beatriz Baselga Cervera (CBS), and Daniel Keefe (College of Science and Engineering, CSE).
The team will investigate the subtle yet vital presence of terrestrial algae and lichen, examining their ecological importance and the profound philosophical and aesthetic insights they offer.
This exploration will result in a suite of public artworks, including:
- An experiential installation that begins as a public environment and transforms into a gathering space.
- An artist-produced video offering a sensory portrait of the organisms.
- An augmented reality encounter with algae and lichen, developed in collaboration with students.
These works will utilize sensory media technologies and collaborative public engagement with scientists. The participatory art experiences and community programs will begin at two Twin Cities Campus locations: the ArTeS Collaborative Research Studio and the College of Biological Sciences Conservatory.
RIO is providing $50,000 for the project, which is expected to be on display in fall 2026.