Magical Fresh & Salty Conversation: The Problem of Imagination

In this episode, “The Problem of Imagination: The Triangle of Magic-Imagination-Science,” our guests examine three concepts that have historically framed the notion of nature. The hosts, S+T+ARTS artists in residence Diego Delas and Leonor Serrano Rivas, engage in a conversation with philosopher and writer Federico Campagna and professor of history of art, science, and folk practices John Tresch. How do we imagine nature in the time of climate change? Can we redefine scientific knowledge through art? Do fiction and imagination have a reality-altering potential that could help us surpass the dichotomy of problem versus solution? In their conversation, guests Federico Campagna and John Tresch explore some of the key ideas that run through Diego Delas and Leonor Serrano Rivas’s residency in Venice, such as the role of imagination, magic, and technology in interpreting the universe around us, and the power of fiction from the pre-scientific period to today. Magical Fresh & Salty Conversations is produced by TBA21–Academy with the support of STARTS, an initiative by the European Commission. Special thanks to our hosts and guests: Diego Delas, Federico Campagna, Leonor Serrano Rivas, and John Tresch. Editor at large: María Montero Sierra Editing and sound design: Elena Zieser Voice over: Nathan Johnson Sounds: Sonia Levy Music: horizonsnd Produced by: Miriam Calabrese, María Montero Sierra, Katarina Rakušček, and the artists. Hear more episodes at ocean-archive.org or subscribe with your podcast provider.