Coexistence in Water: Learning with Algae and Axolotls

What do the algae in the Müggelsee and the axolotl in the laboratory have to do with living together in Berlin? These (and other) questions want to be explored at the start of the new event series »WasserWissen | Parcours«, an interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge between science and society. The exploration of Berlin's hydrosphere starts at the Berlin Museum of Decorative Arts and the exhibition »Lygophilia: Aquatic Life« by Robertina Šebjanič. This is inspired by the endangered axolotl and other aquatic creatures and explores the theme of more-than-human coexistence in water. With contributions from the artists Cammack Lindsey and Sarah Hermanutz, the scientist Dr. India Mansour, and the curators and MoA members Dr. Claudia Banz and Christian de Lutz.

The series is initiated and curated by Dr. Nina Samuel, Head of the Knowledge Exchange Office at the Berlin University Alliance and MoA Associated Member. The event is a cooperation between Berlin University Alliance and Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz.

Program

05:00 pm Arrival at the exhibition and welcome drinks
05:20 pm Welcome and introduction speeches
05:30 pm Sound performance by Cammack Lindsey
05:50 pm Presentation of the »WasserWissen« project and the TD-Lab
06:00 pm. Introduction to the exhibition by Dr. Claudia Banz
06:15 pm Panel discussion with Dr. India Mansour, Sarah Hermanutz, and Christian de Lutz, moderated by Sina Ribak
07:15 pm Get-together with drinks, finger food and talks

Background

The »WasserWissen | Parcours«, together with the »WasserWissen | Dialog Series« of the TD Lab and the exhibition on water research in Berlin, which opens in the Humboldt Labor in October 2025, forms a new focus of the Berliner University Alliance (BUA). The series 'WasserWissen in Berlin' promotes a dynamic, multidirectional exchange of knowledge about Berlin's blue-green infrastructure and brings together researchers from all four universities with Berliners, communities, and experts to research and learn together.

The »WasserWissen | Parcours« promotes local and global knowledge about water in various exchange formats and interactive events – at cultural locations and along Berlin's waterways. In line with the Berlin University Alliance's (BUA) commitment to socially relevant research, WasserWissen aims to share and jointly develop knowledge about the role of water in urban society. This is intended to address key questions regarding the city's sustainable future and its urban hydrosphere's essential function.

Registration

The event will be in English with short impulses also in German. Please register here.