Call for international artistic project
Résidence Art & Science
For its pilot phase, TRACES invites an international visual artist to engage in dialogue with the Laboratory for Energy Materials of Prof. Sascha Feldmann (EPFL), on the Energypolis campus in Sion (Valais, Switzerland).
This residency offers the selected artist privileged access to a
cutting-edge research environment on the energy materials of tomorrow,
as well as scientific support, in view of creating
original works that will be publicly presented during the residency's
final presentation.
TRACES
Transdisciplinary Research in Arts, Creation & Science
"Art and science are two branches of the same tree."
Albert Einstein
TRACES is an Art&Science residency program supported by the Foundation for the sustainable development of mountain regions (FDDM) in Switzerland, in partnership with EPFL-Valais, Energypolis SA, the City of Sion, and the Canton of Valais.
TRACES aims to strengthen the links between arts, sciences, and society in the context of the development of the Energypolis Campus in Sion, Switzerland.
The program seeks to promote collaborations between artists and researchers through residencies, cultural and scientific events, as well as mediation actions. The project explores new forms of interdisciplinary creations and makes scientific issues accessible to the public.
TRACES ART & SCIENCE @ ENERGYPOLIS
En un coup d’œil
Modalités
- Durée : 3 mois 14.12.2026-14.03.2027
- Location: Sion, Valais, Switzerland
- Bourse artistique : 1'500CHF par mois
- Logement et frais de voyage pris en charge
Profil recherché
- Confirmed and professional international visual artist
- 25 ans mininimum
- Minimum 2 years of professional practice
- International
- Main working language: English
Profil recherché
- Confirmed and professional international visual artist
- 25 ans mininimum
- Minimum 2 years of professional practice
- International
- Main working language: English
Le partenaire scientifique
The partnership with the Laboratory for Energy Materials of theEPFL Valais-Wallis anchors this pilot edition in the themes of energy transition, sustainability and future materials. The laboratory's research explores the interactions between light and matter to design the next generation of "soft" semiconductors — materials at the heart of flexible solar cells, highly energy-efficient screens, and emerging quantum technologies.
Le laboratoire est dirigé depuis 2024 par le professeur Sascha Feldmann, formé en chimie à Heidelberg University puis en physique à University of Cambridge. Il a obtenu un doctorat remarqué sur les pérovskites hybrides. Il devient ensuite Rowland Fellow à Harvard University, où il développe des techniques de spectroscopie ultrarapide pour étudier les interactions lumière-matière. Ses travaux lui ont valu plusieurs distinctions internationales, dont un ERC Starting Grant, le prix Wiley Young Innovator et une sélection au “C&EN Talented 12”.
The thematic framework
The laboratory's research opens a rich imagination between chemistry and physics. The very title of the program — TRACES — invites us to think about what materials, light, or energy leave as traces, memories, or futures.
Candidates are invited to formulate a proposal resonating with one or more of these open questions:
- How to make sensitive what escapes perception — the transformation of light into energy, phenomena at the scale of materials?
- What forms, what narratives, or what experiences can arise from the dialogue between visual creation and energy materials science?
All disciplines of visual arts are welcome (installation, sculpture, digital media, visual performance, photography, etc.). The proposal does not need to be finalized at the application stage: the jury will assess the relevance of the dialogue with the scientific laboratory and the originality of the overall approach of the artist.
The partners
The FDDM
Since 1999, The FDDM has contributed to making Valais an exemplary and sustainable territory. Born from the joint will of the State of Valais and the City of Sion, the foundation supports, assists, and raises awareness among the Canton, municipalities, schools, businesses, and citizens who wish to have a positive and concrete impact on Valais, now and for future generations.
ENERGYPOLIS SA
Rooted in a creative and inspiring Valais, Energypolis brings together research, training, and innovation within the same ecosystem, designed to foster impactful solutions.
EPFL Valais-Wallis
With its 19 active laboratories in the key areas of energy, environment, and health, managed by researchers and doctoral students from 40 nationalities, the Valais campus, solidly integrated into the Energypolis project, fully plays its role in favor of research and innovation in the heart of the Alps.
Our supporters
The State of Valais
The City of Sion
Energypolis SA
The Gianadda Foundation Sponsorship
The Romande Lottery Valais
