VTIS Kanada: An evening at the intersection of art & science

🚀 The First VTIS Event in Vancouver: An Evening at the Intersection of Art & Science 🌌

Something a little different is coming to Vancouver this October! 🇨🇦✨

What happens when we bring art, space science, technology, and international communities together under one roof? The first-ever VTIS gathering in Vancouver invites you to an extraordinary evening dedicated to exploring how meaningful ideas cross boundaries between disciplines, institutions, and countries.

This unique event also serves as the official introduction to - a pioneering platform born from connections within the VTIS community that builds ongoing collaboration between artists, researchers, and institutions across Canada and Europe.

📖 THE STORY OF THE EVENING

🤝 Bridging People and Opportunities

The evening opens with a look at how international networks create real-world pathways. As Dr. Margaret Rudolf, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia in British Columbia, highlights:

💬 "VTIS provides an interesting bridge between British Columbians of Slovenian heritage and possibilities within SLOVENIA. Look for cultural, business and educational opportunities by getting involved with VTIS!"

🌐 Turning Conversations into Lasting Partnerships

Behind every groundbreaking project is a simple connection. Simon Pribac (Head of VTIS Canada, Founder of SCI_ART, and Trade Commissioner at the Embassy of Slovenia in Ottawa) shares the vision that led to the creation of the SCI_ART initiative:

💬 "Every meaningful collaboration I've seen began as a single conversation between people willing to cross a boundary — between disciplines, institutions or countries. When we create space for those encounters, ideas stop being abstract and start becoming shared projects, partnerships and lasting trust. It's proof that even a small country, with the right vision and the right people, can help move the boundaries of what's possible."

💡 Imagining Possible Futures

Bringing together academia, art, and technology allows us to address larger global questions. Dr. Megan Smith (Director of Critical Future Studio/Lab at UBC and Lead Partner for SCI_ART BC 2026) explains how interdisciplinary cooperation reshapes our perspective:

💬 "When art and science come together, complex ideas become something we can not only understand, but also see, feel, and experience. International leadership and knowledge exchange across disciplines and borders open new ways of imagining possible futures and responding to shared global challenges. These collaborations invite people to question, participate in, and collectively shape what comes next."

📸 Featured Presentation: Mars on Earth

At the heart of the event is an extraordinary featured presentation by internationally recognized Slovenian photographer Matjaž Tančič. Documented over six years across four continents, his project explores human space exploration and discoveries shaping life on Earth:

💬 "Photography is one of the most familiar and accessible mediums of our time, while space science remains largely unknown and distant to most people. Mars on Earth brings these two worlds together, using photography as a bridge between art and science to make the mysteries of Mars tangible, inspiring, and accessible to a wider audience."

🥂 Q&A and Networking

The presentations will conclude with an interactive Q&A session and dedicated networking time, giving attendees the chance to meet the speakers and foster new connections.

EVENT DETAILS / PODROBNOSTI O DOGODKU

🗓️ Thursday, 1 October 2026

⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (18.00–20.00)

📍 Multimodal Media Lab (MML), 375 Water Street, Room 645, Vancouver, BC

🎟️ Free admission (Seating is limited). It is mandatory to apply on Eventbrite. / Udeležba je brezplačna, število mest je omejeno. Obvezne so prijave na Eventbrite.

🎙️ SPEAKERS & PARTNERS / GOVORCI IN PARTNERJI

Speakers in order of appearance:

• Dr. Margaret Rudolf – Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia in British Columbia

• Simon Pribac – Head of VTIS Canada | Founder of SCI_ART | Trade Commissioner, Embassy of Slovenia (Ottawa)

• Dr. Megan Smith – Director, Critical Future Studio/Lab, UBC | Lead partner, SCI_ART BC 2026

• Matjaž Tančič – Internationally recognized Slovenian photographer working at the intersection of art and science

Participating Organizations / Sodelujoče organizacije:

• Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Ottawa

• Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia in Vancouver

• University of British Columbia (UBC)

• Critical Future Studio/Lab at UBC

• VTIS Canada

Join us for an evening of inspiration!

VTIS Canada & VTIS association