Galapagos Art and Science Journey and Exhibition
Summer 2024
During the next two years, Quo Artis will be working with curator Blanca de la Torre in an exhibition at Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid, featuring works created by the artists that participated in the Galapagos Art & Science Journey in response to the environmental and social problematics that they encountered on the islands. In partnership with the Galapagos National Park, Quo Artis will also develop a local educational programme to tackle the educational crisis, as well a engaging with local initiatives in response to plastic pollution and crisis of environmental resources, as well as responsible tourism policies.
25.08 – 06.09 2022, Galapagos Islands, onboard the National Geographic Endeavour II
Organised by the Royal Academy of European Doctors (RAED), My Planet First, and with Quo Artis as artistic curator, with the collaboration of Fundación FIDAL and the Universidad de San Francisco, Quito.
The Galapagos Art&Science Journey was an expedition inspired by the relevance of these islands in the context of the current climate emergency, focusing on their pioneering in policy implementation of sustainable development and environmental protection. The expedition invited a group of artists to tackle issues related to the environmental crisis: ranging from acoustic pollution to waste residue, from imaginary botanical atlases to underwater contamination.
The participating artists, researchers, photographers, writers and curators invited by Quo Artis were Joan Fontcuberta, Robertina Šebjanič, Katya Cazar, Victoria Vesna, Blanca de la Torre, Jorge Carrión, Lonneke Gordijn, Urs Bigler and Santiago Escobar. This group joined relevant political and scientific figures, among which there were 4 Nobel prize laureates Aaron Ciechanover, Erwin Neher, Richard Roberts and Richard Schrock, as well as Equatorian politican and activist Rosalía Arteaga. Onboard the National Geographic Endeavour II, the Galapagos
Art&Science Journey generated a laboratory of ideas where artists and scientists reflected upon the future of humanity and non-human species through artistic projects and a cycle of debates. As such, it was an initiative that seeked the promotion of international cooperation, and will continue to do so over the next two years, to explore solutions for today’s economic, social and environmental challenges to achieve a sustainable future with a particular focus on local impact and Galagapos’s current crises.
Copyright: Santiago Escobar Cobos
Participants
Honorary Guests
The Royal Academy of European Doctors (RAED) invites 5 personalities to take part in the expedition and contribute to a rich exchange of knowledge.

Erwin Neher
Biophysicist, Nobel Medicine Prize - 1991

Richard Roberts
Biochemist and molecular biologist, Nobel Medicine Prize – 1993

Richard Schrock
Chemist and professor, Nobel Chemistry Prize - 2005

Rosalía Arteaga
Social activist, writer and first female president of Ecuador – 1997.

Aaron Ciechanover
Biologist, Nobel Chemistry Prize – 2004