ICMB

ICMB has a unique history of exploring the rich perspectives found at the intersection of the sciences and arts. Previous conferences have worked with some amazing artists who, through their chosen media, have enhanced our appreciation and communication of the impact of bioinvasions on our world. Artwork inspired by subjects ranging from marine invertebrates to shipping vessels has connected us to audiences far beyond the scientific and policy making communities.

ICMB XII is continuing this tradition by collaborating with Portuguese artist Alexandre Farto, also known as Vhils with support from the sponsorhip of Associação de Coleções Berardo. Internationally acclaimed for his groundbreaking “Scratching the Surface” project, Vhils has developed a unique visual language based on carving, cutting, and etching through layers of walls, posters, metal, and other materials to reveal the hidden strata beneath. Vhils’ artistic practice resonates strongly with the themes of biological invasions: processes of disruption, transformation, and the tension between destruction and creation. Just as invasive species reshape ecosystems, his reductive techniques reveal unexpected layers of meaning within urban and natural landscapes. By engaging with these ideas, his art provides a striking lens through which to reflect on the ecological and cultural impacts of invasions, and on the possibilities of renewal and adaptation that follow.

Through this collaboration, ICMB XII not only celebrates the integration of art and science but also invites audiences to engage emotionally and critically with the complex challenges posed by bioinvasions.