Science and Universities

The Fundación Épica La Fura dels Baus is a centre for creation and research in advanced arts that promotes horizontal collaboration between humanities, science, technology and society. We spoke with part of its team: Pep Gatell, president; Nadala Fernández, head of institutional relations; Fran Iglesias, manager; and Pedro Lorente, director of technology; about its purpose as an entity, the current relationship between science and art and, taking advantage of the participation of one of the members in a dialogue of the Barcelona Knowledge Hub of the Academia Europaea on the transition from STEM to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics).  

Where does the foundation’s interest in the intersections of art and science come from?

The interest of the Epica Foundation and its team has arisen, on the one hand, from the concern for new knowledge as a source of inspiration, challenges and opportunities, and on the other, from the need to understand and address the future, which is increasingly linked to and motivated by science and technology. Art and creativity have always been linked to the future. After all, they are another way of preparing society to face the future with critical thinking and responsibility. This, in the midst of the knowledge revolution, can only be done from a position close to science and technology.

And, based on your work, have you been able to validate this relationship?

Of course we have! All along the way we have been able to validate our initial idea, as well as our mission on the value of exploring through horizontal collaboration. The middle ground between science, technology, art and society as a catalyst for the disruptive and responsible R&D&I so necessary to sustain European values and opportunities. 

Is there any particular aspect of the relationship between art and science that particularly interests you?

Resuming and strengthening the horizontal relationship between the arts, humanities, science, technology and society, which is necessary to face today’s global challenges. These spaces of interrelation have existed for almost all of human history, from the Renaissance (Islamic and Italian), where there were no barriers between knowledge, to the Internet, a space of connection between millions of people with different knowledge as a catalyst for innovation. Or in the English coffee houses as a starting point for the great changes and ideas of the industrial revolution.

Beyond the initial capacity and the necessary transfer of scientific knowledge and critical thought towards society through the connection with art, it is essential to continue exploring the capacity to anticipate the future, to generate new visions, new models, to prepare new generations…

And how can we re-strengthen this relationship?

Only with holistic knowledge, only possible from a vision without borders between the disciplines of knowledge, will we be able to limit the variables of VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) environments and maximise our chances of success.

Does the link between La Fura dels Baus and science and technology go back to its beginnings?

Without a doubt! La Fura dels Baus, after more than 45 years of history, is still considered an avant-garde company. This can only be achieved from access to new knowledge outside the company, which has allowed them to continue to evolve. During the history of the Fura, it is very easy to find the use of new technologies and knowledge from the scientific field, sometimes even too advanced for the time. 

When was the Epic Foundation created, and what motivated its creation?

The Foundation was created seven years ago under the idea and ambition of the patrons, the founders of La Fura dels Baus, to leave a legacy of the company to society. This allowed us to pivot, iterate and evaluate the vision and mission, the link with society and the current context of the Epic Foundation. All of this led us to what we are today, a creation centre of the Department of Culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya, strongly linked to science, technology and society.

Currently, what lines of work of the organisation would you highlight?

As a Foundation, we have four main lines of work: research and innovation; territory and society; residences; and internationalisation. All of them under two main areas of action. Firstly, the transfer of knowledge and promotion of critical thinking in the field of science and technology, but always linked to the second. In this case, the area of the creation of new visions, lines of research or spaces for reflection at the intersection between art, science, technology and society. There have been many disruptive ideas at this intersection – we should not forget that the first automaton in history was a flute player!

Therefore, its top priority is based on making people understand the need for interaction between the creative and scientific worlds.

Exactly. It is fundamental for us to be able to validate the need to re-include art, humanities and society in research and innovation processes as an actor alongside science and technology.

There are many ways of doing science outreach – how can art and science contribute to improving it?

Once science and technology met, the exponential growth of popularisation changed society in many ways. This connection changes education, the labour market, human interactions, access to information and misinformation, making science outreach not only important, but necessary. Society must understand scientific advances, must become aware of the opportunities, risks and implications of knowledge and technology in our society. Especially in Europe, with critical thinking and responsibility.

You participated in the Academia Europaea Barcelona dialogues to talk about the shift from STEM to STEAM. How would you define this shift?

For us it is a small but very relevant change. Not only because it can give rise to new scientific personalities with a more humanistic outlook and connected to society, but also because it can favour the necessary connection between society and knowledge. A connection that, given the pace at which science and technology are moving, will soon not be an option. Especially in Europe, in the vital context of our environment, we must succeed in specialising in disruptive but responsible progress. And this will only be possible in a space of collaboration between art, science, technology and society.

How is this transition perceived by the scientific community?

Well, as always at the beginning of any transition, it is a question of people. Today we would divide them into three large blocks: those who have seen it as an opportunity, those who are expectant and those who do not see it.

We are fortunate to be linked to top-level scientific circles, who have understood the benefits of this type of collaboration and fully support us. We are working with them on the success stories that will help us to reach the second tier environments. We hope that, in the medium term, everyone will eventually understand what this connection can bring to society.

Do you think that the new generations are interested in knowing in depth the impact or presence of science in their lives?

The new generations have fully entered the digital era. So much so that the concept of digital natives already exists. The reality is that they will be influenced by the knowledge revolution and all of this happens through science and technology. So we believe that they are increasingly interested, but we must help young people to prevent them from being left out of the new revolution, which has already arrived.

Does the approach to STEAM disciplines from an early age have a positive impact in this sense? Does it help us to have a more scientific and critical view of life?

It has a very positive impact, it brings them closer to science and knowledge with a much more humanistic view and linked to our values, it strengthens the research spirit so necessary to continue advancing and tackling the new challenges we have as a society, but always from a critical thinking, sustainability and responsibility point of view.