Category Archives: Ball 2024

Abandonment/Preservation

Ball 2024

 

A surge between abandonment and preservation

Inspired by an impressive work by the artist Sabine Müller-Funk, the Science Ball invites its guests to capture the crucial concepts in the era of climate change. A message: joint action is the basis of change

An experimental setup by Oliver Lehmann

The questions that Sabine Müller-Funk asks herself and us in the context of climate change are strikingly simple – and that’s why they are so effective: What do we want to do without? And what do we want to preserve? Continue reading Abandonment/Preservation →

Georg Gottlob: Natural intelligence is having a ball

Ball 2024, General

Artificial intelligence in the form of machine learning, large language models such as ChatGPT is currently revolutionizing society and the economy, as well as universities and science. The basic techniques such as neural networks or large language models have been around for a long time, but in recent years a disruptive process has begun through which AI is massively penetrating all areas. Continue reading Georg Gottlob: Natural intelligence is having a ball →

Change takes root

Ball 2024, General

The changing climate is also transforming Vienna’s green spaces. New species are designed to withstand higher temperatures. At the Science Ball 2024, olives and pomegranates will decorate the tables.

A visit to the tree nursery by Chiara Joos

Such ancient olives are still only found in the Mediterranean region. With a little patience one day in Vienna’s parks / Photo: Creative Commons / Günther Liendl

An evening that captivates the senses and gets people dancing requires a decoration that is just as unique. This year the table decorations are all about the climate, or more precisely: the olive. The trees with the small, round stone fruits are the winners from climate change. Cultivated and processed in a variety of ways in the Mediterranean region for thousands of years, they could soon triumph here too. The florists at the Vienna City Gardens are already setting the trend by decorating the banquet hall tables with small olive trees. But these Mediterranean trees are not only in miniature format, but also in large format in some places in Austria. Continue reading Change takes root →

Whale song and Schmusechor

Ball 2024

The highlights of the 9th Science Ball

Climate as a focus: Walfisch Poldi, CO2 cubes and the cuddle choir • Premiere of the ball lecture at the ÖAW: Marc Abrahams on the meaning of science communication • And again, the ball is completely sold out

The science ball is entering the home stretch: two weeks to the major event, the final preparations are being made to delight the audience with scientific and artistic performances on January 27th. Ball organizer Oliver Lehmann: “Since the ground floor of the town hall is available to us again this year, we can welcome 4,000 guests this time. The ball is completely sold out. There will be no box office on the evening of the ball itself.” Continue reading Whale song and Schmusechor →

From the glacier to the ball room

Ball 2024

We are very much looking forward to the visit of guest of honor Andrea Fischer! The Tyrolean glaciologist is Scientist of the Year 2023. The award was presented to her at a press conference in the Concordia press club by the Club of Education and Science Journalists for her impressive skills in communicating science.

After congratulations from club chairwoman Eva Stanzl and ÖAW president Heinz Fassmann, ball organizer Oliver Lehmann presented her with her personal ticket. She likes crampons more than dancing shoes. Fischer revealed that her visit to the science ball will be a first. She had never been to a ball before. Fischer will be a guest of Science Minister Martin Polaschek in the town hall. Continue reading From the glacier to the ball room →