Now in its 4th edition, the NOVA Festival, organized by Asociația Prezent Continuu and presented by UniCredit Bank, continues the exploration of contemporary forms of artistic expression facilitated by new technologies, with a complex program and a generous list of international guests. The event will take place from September 16 to 30, in several central locations in Bucharest, including the Elvire Popesco Cinema, the International Center for Research and Education in Innovative Creative Technologies – CINETic, the Bucharest National Dance Center (CNDB), a theater, the Gallery Galateca and AREAL – Space for Choreographic Development.
More than 40 artists and professionals in the field of neuro-psychology from 12 countries will be involved in this edition. One of them is the photographer Mads Nissen, multiple winner of World Press Photo, named 3 times “Photographer of the Year” in Denmark for his tireless work in documenting contemporary social issues such as inequality, violation of human rights and destructive relationship with nature. Another special guest, also from the world of photography, is the Frenchman Florian Ruiz, known for the unique way in which he manages to reproduce the atmosphere of abandoned or destroyed places by the harmful intervention of human activity. One of his works, dedicated to radioactive contamination, was awarded several important prizes – Sony World Photography Award, Felix Schoeller Award, Talent Award.
Vicente Matallana, member of the management board of HacTe Barcelona, one of the largest hubs at the intersection of art, science and technology in Spain, will also participate; Patricia Correia, professor of behavioral neuroscience at the American University in Cairo, winner of a major grant to undertake complex research on the role of serotonin in human behavior at the Center for the Unknown in Portugal; Claudia Schnugg, professor, curator and researcher, whose recent work focuses on the phenomenon of the intersection of art projects with new technologies and scientific research, including projects in collaboration with renowned institutions such as the European Space Agency, CERN – the European Organization for Nuclear Research, the Institute for Epigenetics and Stem Cells associated with the Helmholtz Center in Munich, Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine, Ars Electronica and Art|Sci Center (UCLA).
International guests will be joined by beloved domestic artists such as Michele Bressan, Judith State, Felicia Simion or Tammy Lovin.
In 2023 NOVA content will center around proprioception/kinesthesia, and festival activities will offer experiences that expand participants’ self-awareness and body-intelligence skills. “This year I wanted all the activities in the program to create a stage for our bodies, whether they are immersive experiences, creative labs, workshops or talks. I think it will be the most fun edition yet. We will test contexts in which we feel present in several ‘places’ at the same time,” said Emilia Păunescu, the creator of NOVA.