Is it finally time to reunite the Sciences with the Arts? How can we (re)combine the works of artists, designers and scientists, and what value would it add?

19 March 2009, Waag Society, the Virtual Knowledge Studio (KNAW) and the Centre for Arts & Genomics Leiden organized the conference Utopian Practices: Art, Science & Design REunited at the De Balie in Amsterdam.

Art, science and design were once closely tied to one another, but in the modern age technological specialisation and other divisions brought about a fragmentation of these fields. Increasingly, however, we have begun noticing a number of cross-pollinations between fine arts, applied arts and the sciences.

During the conference 'Utopian Practices: Science, Art & Design REunited', a number of pioneers in this issue presented some surprising connections between the various disciplines. Susan Kennard, Executive Director of the new media institute BANFF in Canada talked about the unique way that BANFF brings together researchers, artists and designers.

Professor Emeritus Martin Kemp from Oxford University discussed the similarities between artists and scientists based on what he calls 'structural intuition'. And artist Beatriz da Costa told how difficult it is to break down the barriers between art and science based on the question 'when does Art become Science?'

Utopian Practices iwas the official opening for a programme dealing with the daily practice of art, science and design organised by Waag Society, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences’ Virtual Knowledge Studio and The Arts & Genomics Centre at Leiden University.