THE ADAMASTOR IN AN AQUARIUM – LOOK(S) INTO AN UNKNOWN OCEAN

February 6, 2020, 9:30 pm – 11:00 pm | Biodiversity Gallery – Ciência Viva Center

On February 6th, at 9:30pm, the Biodiversity Gallery – Ciência Viva center will host the first session of the new DIVERSITIES cycle.

Throughout the year, this MHNC-UP space will host a cycle of thematic conversations through which biodiversity and environmental sustainability will be demultified into a myriad of topics with great social, cultural, economic, and environmental impact. From the sea to public health, from artificial intelligence to the human mind, disciplinary boundaries blur and areas cross. Experts from complementary, sometimes contrasting fields, nurture friendly conversations in an informal setting where everyone’s contribution magnifies their expertise.

ABOUT THE SESSION

The sea is so imposing on our planet that, seen from space, it is essentially blue. Close to us it represents a source of precious and varied resources, influences the climate, and supports an immense diversity of life. It intrigues us, it thrills us. Fears and desires are present in the idea of what the sea is, a sense of perenniality seems to come from it. False image, because it is depleting, degrading, and becoming central to the objectives of conservation, sustainable development, and preservation of the common heritage of humanity. Portugal has a historical relationship with the sea. And it is this deep memory that makes it on the lips of all Portuguese: from the offer of the best fish in the world to the incentives to invest in it or the best place for summer vacations. But what do we know about the life of the sea? What do we know about how we influence it and how can we ensure its preservation? And how did the desire to have it, to master it, to study it, become a long-term ambition?

VISITING RESEARCHERS

Inês Amorim (CITCEM – Center for Transdisciplinary Research Culture, Space and Memory)

Professor and Director of the Department of History and Political and International Studies of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Porto (FLUP) and researcher responsible for the research line “Environmental Transformations”. Founding member of the Portuguese Network for Environmental History, and regional representative for Portugal of the European Society for Environmental History. With specialty area(s) in Modern and Contemporary History, Inês Amorim has specific interests in maritime history and heritage; history of the environment, climate, prices, labor, credit, and social welfare. He is also a member of the Executive Committee, for FLUP, of the MHNC-UP and has worked in the OCEANUS group of the University of Porto.

José Teixeira (CIIMAR – Interdisciplinary Center for Marine and Environmental Research)

PhD in biology and post-doc in Science Communication, he is coordinator of CIIMAR’s Office of Science Communication since 2014, where he is responsible, for example, for the development and implementation of ocean literacy projects, such as the “Ocean Action” Campaign, aimed at raising awareness among the school community and the population about the problem of plastic in the ocean. As part of this Campaign, which won the Green Project Award 2016 as the best Mobilization Initiative, it is also responsible for the organization and production of the thematic exhibitions “Plastic Sea” and “Sea Monsters”, which combine science, art and multimedia as tools to disseminate this theme to society.

MORE INFORMATION
Target audience: adults | Free entrance, limited to the space’s capacity
More information: galeria@mhnc.up.pt