Strokes of Genius: Artists to Collaborate with Technion Community in New Creative Science Program

The Sonia Marschak Artist in Residence Program is set to begin this upcoming semester at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa. Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan initiated the pilot program to enrich the student experience and spark an open dialogue on campus surrounding art, science and engineering.

“The new program expresses the decision by Technion management to expose our students to different aspects of art and culture,” said Sivan. “We must train leaders who, in addition to their skills as excellent scientists, doctors, architects, educators and engineers, will operate from a broad and humanistic worldview as leaders who will make professional decisions from a clear social and ethical position.”

The Artist in Residence Program was made possible thanks to a generous donation from Ms. Sonia Marschak – a longtime supporter and friend of the Technion. As part of its recent expansion, the Department of Humanities and Arts will oversee the program which fits seamlessly into its mission.

After an extensive selection process, the following three artists were chosen to participate in the pilot program: Dr. Orit Wolf, Ms. Nardeen Srouji and Dr. Elad Schneiderman. The three pioneers of the Artist in Residence Program specialize in combining research and experimentation with various forms of creative expression.

Dr. Orit Wolf

Wolf is a concert pianist, composer, poet and lecturer dedicated to promoting women’s empowerment initiatives, innovation and leadership development. The internationally acclaimed artist studied music in Boston and London and completed a doctorate at Bar-Ilan University.

“It is a great privilege for me to receive this appointment. I really believe that music, mathematics, architecture and science are interconnected in a way that has yet to be fully discovered,” said Wolf. “I am on a mission to bring music to the Technion. Not only as a living and breathing artistic medium, but also as a tool for both pedagogical and technological development.”

Nardeen Srouji

Nardeen Srouji earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature and art at the University of Haifa and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design. She is a multidisciplinary artist who takes familiar objects, images and sounds and transforms them into an intervention that invites the viewer to redefine their understanding and relationship with the environment.

“These interventions seek to cross boundaries and challenge the status quo by departing from the recognized function or use, ultimately turning the criticism inward,” said Srouji.

Dr. Elad Schneiderman

Schneiderman is a multidisciplinary sound artist, composer, researcher and lecturer with a special interest in art-science collaborations. He received a doctorate in composition and music theory from the State University of New York (SUNY). The innovative artist studies the physical and sensory aspects of the human body. Over the years, Schneiderman has collaborated with artists across many disciplines, including dance, music, cinema and the fine arts. He is currently the coordinator of a unique digital music program at Leo Baeck High School in Haifa.

The Artist in Residence Program is a milestone for the Technion as it moves to expand the Department of Humanities and Arts to meet the evolving needs of the students.

“The image of the graduate we see before our eyes is not only focused on the skills or abilities targeting the labor market, but also on how students develop into leaders in science and engineering who rely on social awareness and an understanding of the historical and philosophical context of their actions,” said Technion Senior Executive Vice President Prof. Oded Rabinovitch. “We want to provide them with a social and ethical base and broaden their horizons.”

Prof. Ohad Nachtomy leads the Department of Humanities and Arts at the Technion. He says the expansion plays an important role in seeking new directions to offer Technion students a more diverse set of courses, including history, philosophy and academic writing.

“The department is also integrating ethics into technological courses and developing curriculum with a focus on the connection between philosophy, science and engineering,” said Nachtomy. “Just as the Artist in Residence Program emphasizes, this is an attempt to deepen the connections and resonance between the world of art and the world of science and technology.”

As part of the program, Wolf will hold a lecture-concert series on campus this year entitled Science, Music and Inspiration. The event will feature leading Technion scientists and researchers, as well as outstanding students who will perform and participate. Each session will include a live performance, a scientific lecture and an open-ended discussion.

Click here to learn more about the Artist in Residence program

Click here to learn more about the Department of Humanities and Arts at the Technion.