As part of the MUSAE project, two Art-Tech Residencies were organized to guide artists and SMEs in envisioning future scenarios and developing future-driven prototypes within the Food as Medicine domain. These residencies fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, enabling participants to explore and shape innovative solutions through a structured creative process.

In the first Art-Tech Residency, 12 artists transformed their visions of the future into detailed scenarios. The second residency brought together 11 teams of artists and SMEs, who worked to translate these scenario opportunities into tangible prototypes.

First Art-Tech Residency: Developing Future Scenarios

The First Art-Tech Residency focused on exploring future scenarios within the Food as Medicine domain. Over the course of eight months, 12 artists used the Design Futures Art-Driven (DFA) method to develop future scenarios, translating their insights into artworks that embodied their imagined worlds.

Following a structured three-phase approach—Training, Building, and Artwork Production—the residency provided a systematic pathway from conceptual exploration to public exhibition.

See the results of the First Residency on the DFA projects page.

Training Phase:

In the initial phase, artists were introduced to the DFA method, equipping them with strategic tools and best practices for envisioning future scenarios. Through thematic immersion sessions, participants explored key technological advancements in AI, Robotics, and Wearables, as well as the emerging trends and scientific developments shaping the Food as Medicine landscape.

Building Phase

During this phase, artists applied the DFA method to explore their topics further and develop future scenarios. They received bi-weekly mentoring sessions, ensuring continuous guidance and critical feedback. Two Assessment Meetings with consortium partners evaluated the relevance, feasibility, and real-world applicability of each scenario, determining their potential for further concept development in the next residency. By the end of this phase, each artist had developed a fully formed future scenario, including persona, key trends, contexts, and immersive storytelling elements.

Artwork Production Phase

In the final phase, artists brought their future scenarios to life through tangible artworks, using a variety of artistic formats. The residency culminated in “Future Foodscapes,” an immersive exhibition in Barcelona, where these visionary works were showcased to engage the public, thought-provoking, and inspire new perspectives on the future of food.

Second Art-Tech Residency: Developing Concepts and Prototypes

The Second Art-Tech Residency brought together 11 teams of artists and SMEs to co-develop innovative concepts and advance them into TRL5 prototypes. Building on the future scenarios developed in the first residency, each team worked to refine, test, and materialize these visions into tangible future-driven solutions.

Throughout the residency, teams participated in training sessions led by consortium members and external experts, covering emerging technologies, futures thinking, ethical considerations, and project management tools. Regular mentoring sessions provided ongoing guidance and strategic support to ensure successful development.

The residency followed a structured three-phase approach: Concept Generation, Prototype Building, and Exhibition.

See the results of the Second Residency on the DFA projects page.

Concept Generation Phase

In this phase, the 11 teams applied the Design Futures Art-Driven (DFA) method to develop future-driven concepts.

At the start of the residency, the project consortium provided DFA method training, equipping participants with essential skills and tools for structured innovation. These 11 concepts served as foundations for the next phase, where they were refined, tested, and transformed into prototypes.

At the end of this phase, a Concept Assessment Meeting was held to evaluate: technological feasibility, ethical considerations and future relevance & scalability

Only the most promising concepts were selected to move forward into prototype development.

Prototype Building Phase

This phase focused on turning the 11 concepts into TRL5 prototypes, ensuring their feasibility and technical viability. Prototype building phase was structured into 10 Iterations, where the teams met every two weeks to monitor the progress and review the activities. . During this phase, the mid-term prototype assessment was conducted to evaluate the alignment with project goals and work plan.

This phase focused on transforming concepts into TRL5 prototypes, ensuring technical feasibility and real-world applicability.

The Prototype Building Phase was structured into 12 iterations, where teams met every two weeks to track progress, review activities, and refine prototypes.

• Monthly mentoring sessions – Art & tech mentors provided expert feedback and strategic insights.
• Mid-term Prototype Assessment – Evaluated alignment with project goals and ensured workplan continuity.

With continuous iteration and expert guidance, the teams successfully brought their concepts to life, laying the groundwork for their final showcase and potential real-world application.