Science and Art Come Together at the VIC Rotunda to Celebrate the Danube
On 7 July 2025, the Vienna International Centre’s Rotunda came to life with creativity, collaboration, and a shared appreciation for one of Europe’s most iconic rivers. Under the title “Surface & Substance: Exploring the Danube Through Science and Art,” the ICPDR launched a special week-long exhibition celebrating the power of both scientific investigation and artistic expression in protecting the Danube.
The event followed on the heels of the successful JDS5 Kick-Off press conference on 1 July, keeping the momentum alive and highlighting the strong cooperation between scientific experts, communicators, and young activists.
Moderated by Anne Thomas of the UN Information Service Vienna, the opening panel discussion brought together five key voices from across the ICPDR network and beyond:
- Birgit Vogel, Executive Secretary of the ICPDR
- Susanne Brandstetter, Chair of the ICPDR Public Participation Expert Group & Water Communications Lead at Austria’s Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and the Environment (BMLUK)
- Igor Liska, JDS5 Project Manager and Technical Expert for Water Quality at the ICPDR Secretariat
- Franz Wagner, Chair of the ICPDR Monitoring and Assessment Expert Group Senior Expert, in the department of National and International Water Management at the BMLUK
- Arlian Ecker, better known as ‘Plastic Free Boy,’ change maker and influencer
Panellists explored the wide-reaching work of the Joint Danube Survey 5 (JDS5), the largest surface water monitoring effort in the world, which is currently underway in the Danube River Basin. From investigating pollutants and microplastics to using environmental DNA to track fish populations, JDS5 brings cutting-edge methods into the field and connects them with the public through various initiatives, including the JDS5 Citizen Science Programme. The Danube Art Master (DAM) competition is another such example of making science approachable to the public.
The discussion also emphasized how storytelling, outreach, and youth participation are vital for turning scientific data into lasting change. Science tells us what’s happening beneath the water; art helps to explain why it matters.
To conclude the event, Birgit Vogel officially declared the exhibition open on behalf of the ICPDR. “Through both science and art, we gain a deeper understanding and connection to this vital waterway,” she said. “Let us continue to explore and appreciate the surface and substance of the Danube.”
The exhibition will remain on display in the VIC Rotunda from 7 to 11 July. It features 14 panels showcasing vibrant artworks from young DAM participants across the Danube River Basin, alongside 10 panels outlining the scope and significance of JDS5 to the many international visitors passing through each day.
