Laboratory Headquarters
Department of Motor Disorders, Chronic Diseases, and Art Therapies, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, University Campus Borongaj, Borongajska 83f, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Mission
The Laboratory for Art and Science was established in 2024, with the mission of integrating art and science to enhance interdisciplinary practice and research, as well as to promote creativity and artistic reception and expression within the field of educational rehabilitation. Human history has shown that art and science can effectively collaborate, with science contributing to the design of appropriate methods, approaches, and evaluation in the application of art in therapeutic contexts. Likewise, art can contribute to science by focusing on the exploration and critical examination of human physical and mental health in today’s rapid technological development and transhumanist perspectives.
The laboratory’s activities also focus on researching and affirming Disability Arts as a space for social transformation, visibility, and empowerment of people with disabilities, by fostering artistic practice and interdisciplinary theoretical reflection. In a broader context, this also aims to promote a culture of disability, encompassing art, media, education, activism, and social engagement that encourages autonomy and participation of people with disabilities while challenging societal norms regarding disability.
Goals
- Strengthening collaboration between artistic and scientific disciplines through the development of theoretical models and empirical research.
- Fostering innovation and developing of new methods, techniques, and approaches in the use of expressive art therapies, tailored to specific user groups, including children with special needs and people with disabilities.
- Conducting scientific research projects at national and international levels.
- Promoting collaboration among artists, professionals, and scientists within various institutions, organisations, associations, and platforms.
- Promoting inclusive performing arts and universal aesthetics, including Disability Arts.
- Integrating contemporary digital and assistive technologies into artistic and therapeutic processes to develop new assessment and intervention methods and increase accessibility for diverse users.
- Promoting public awareness and education on the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to art and science in rehabilitation and inclusion, with emphasis on the ethical and social implications of applying art and science.
Head of Laboratory: Prof. Renata Martinec, PhD
Members
Projects
Digital and Assistive Technology in the Application of Expressive Art-therapies for Persons with Motor Disorders
Internal Project Identifier: IIP-10-ART-DIGI
Principal investigator: Prof. Renata Martinec, PhD
Duration: 1.10.2025. – 30.9.2029.