Renewable Futures is a new conference series, the launch of which will take place during the FIELDS exhibition opening weekend on May 15-18, 2014 in the framework of Riga – European Cultural Capital programme. In a response to recent quests for a more sustainable future and overcoming the crises of the present, the conference aims to invent new avenues for future developments by bringing together traditionally separated domains. Inspired by the approach of FIELDS Exhibition, which does not just look at art in a narrow sense but takes into account all kinds of creative practices that bring together new ways of thinking, scientific knowledge, aesthetics, technologies and social practices. The conference will shape new contact zones between academic research and diversity of contemporary art practices, art and science, sustainable businesses and social engagement in the 21st century.

The new conference series will be launched in a joint effort by RIXC and ARS BALTICA in collaboration with Renewable Network, FIELDS exhibition curators and artists, as well by other involved partner organizations, art institutions and collaboration networks.

More then just building an other new Baltic-Nordic collaboration platform, this event aims to play a role of 'connector' – maintaining links between different platforms and networks existing in North European and Baltic Sea region, as well as connecting them with the other European countries and the rest of the world.

CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS

Conference chairs: Dr Rasa SMITE and Raitis SMITS

RF Conference Series Board: Dr Rasa SMITE, Dr Armin MEDOSCH (AT), Marcus HAGEMANN (DE), Dr Misko SUVAKOVIC (RS), Regine DEBATTY (BE/UK), Annick BUREAUD (FR), Margrét Elísabet ÓLAFSDÓTTIR (IS), Lily DIAZ-KOMMONEN (FI), Kristin BERGAUST (NO), Raivo KELOMEES (EE), and others – tbc.

RF Local Organizing and Programming Committee: Raitis SMITS / RIXC / LMA (Riga), Daina SILINA / RIXC (Riga), Agnese BARANOVA / RIXC (Riga), Santa MAZIKA / LiepU MPLab (Liepaja), Anna TRAPENCIERE / LiepU MPLab (Liepaja), Ainars KAMOLINS / LU (Riga), Ieva ASTAHOVSKA / LCCA (Riga)

SUPPORT

The Renewable Futures conference is launched in the framework of Renewable Network – long-term collaboration project supported by Nordic Culture Point.

The conference is also supported by Riga 2014, Riga City Council, Nordic Culture Point, State Cultural Capital Foundation, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, Austrian Ministry of Culture, EU Culture 2007-2013 programme, Nordic Culture Point.

Partners: The Latvian National Museum of Art, Soft Control (EU Co-Project), Techno-Ecologies (EU Co-Project), Goethe Institute in Riga, French Institute in Latvia, Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Latvia, The Danish Cultural institute, ARS BALTICA, Renewable Network.