Interestingly, the title of this initial talk resonates a historical context of a science in search for a name - i.e. Tikhov's "astrobotany" and "exobiology" which was first used by Lederberg (1960) to describe "extraterrestrial origin biology" as opposed to earth's own esobiology. These terms received criticism in view of the fact that the science has yet to demonstrate that such a matter exists (George Gaylord Simpson, 1964).
The first part of this session called for a controversial discussion provoked by foAM's paper Speculations on the Evolution of Human plant Interactions which deals with plants as models for future sustainability by looking at their social and political network. Controversially, foAM argues plants as conscious entities in a network construction as well as employing tribal cultures as a potential way of gaining understanding plants.
C-Lab's presentation introduced a new paper for The Martian Rose which aims to contextualise the project by discussing its background and aims. Central to the discussion this generated was the process of collaboration and role of the artists in labs. One participant in the discussion called the work as a metaphor for artists in labs.
The discussion generated several interesting debate that were immaculately held together by the moderator, Ghislaine Boddington and well provoked by foAM.