Ⓥ V.17 Virtual Discussion - Papers
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 |
10:10 AM - 11:00 AM |
Virtual |
Overview
Group discussion giving virtual presenters the opportunity to discuss their work with colleagues and delegates
Details
Join the session here
This virtual discussion session will give virtual presenters the opportunity to participate in a live interactive virtual panel discussion facilitated by an academic chair. Virtual delegates will be encouraged to pre-watch the presentation videos (available via the OnAIR conference platform) and then join this discussion session, which will run through a provided Zoom link. The Aim of this session is to provide an opportunity for presenters to share and discuss their work with colleagues and for delegates to engage in Q&A. Each discussion will run for 30-50 minutes depending on how many virtual presenters and delegates are participating.
This virtual discussion session will give virtual presenters the opportunity to participate in a live interactive virtual panel discussion facilitated by an academic chair. Virtual delegates will be encouraged to pre-watch the presentation videos (available via the OnAIR conference platform) and then join this discussion session, which will run through a provided Zoom link. The Aim of this session is to provide an opportunity for presenters to share and discuss their work with colleagues and for delegates to engage in Q&A. Each discussion will run for 30-50 minutes depending on how many virtual presenters and delegates are participating.
Speaker
Dipl. Des. / M.a. Julia Ihls
University of Arts And Design Karlsruhe / Technical University Munich
SP: Mycological Metaphysics: Fungal Temporalities as Creative Act of Becoming
Abstract
The permeable professional boundaries between art, science and technology are increasingly challenging the perception and understanding of time and space. In particular, the realms of ecology and biology open up new possibilities for a post-anthropocentric, holistic understanding to (re-)contextualize an "Everywhen". In a dialogue-based comparison, the following text contrasts and synthesizes Alfred Northern Whitehead's process-philosophical theory with Merlin Sheldrake's mycological studies on mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi. The focus is on the temporal understanding with a view to the dynamic and interwoven aspects of reality.
Biography
Julia Ihls is an interdisciplinary researcher and designer at the intersections of (natural-)philosophy, media theory and scenography. After studying art and media studies (M.A.) in Konstanz and Cork, and scenography/media art (Dipl.) in Karlsruhe, she worked as a concept designer and writer, among others for the ZKM Karlsruhe. Since April 2021, she is the head of the Bio Design Lab at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design, where – besides teaching and curating – she researches on new (bio-)materials and convivialism. After hosting various collaborative projects like the „Future of Life“ Summer School she started her media-based dissertation project „Labmospheres“ at the Professorship of Architecture and Design at the School of Engineering and Design at the Technical University of Munich in December 2022.
Professor Jiabao Li
The University of Texas at Austin
PIC: Synthetic Sentience: The Pussification of Biotech
Abstract
We investigate the potential of lab-grown clitorises created by 3D bioprinting stem cells derived from menstrual fluid. Our approach challenges male-dominated narratives in tech spaces, advocating for a feminist, nonbinary methodology focused on pleasure and eroticism beyond reproductive function. The project is conveyed through video performances, scientific experiments, and digital art, fostering a multifaceted discourse on posthuman pleasure, ethics of sexuality, and the deconstruction of gender norms. We scrutinise the ethical complexities of bioprinted organs capable of neural responses, questioning notions of consent and sentience in bioengineering. The use of social platforms like OnlyFans for disseminating our work strategically disrupts traditional digital consumption patterns. Through this, we address biocapitalism and control of narratives around sex and pleasure, questioning normative uses of technology in spaces that objectify bodies. Our paper calls for a reevaluation of biotechnological advance in its cultural, ethical, and societal impacts, challenging existing paradigms and fostering inclusive scientific exploration.
Biography
Jiabao Li is an Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, the founding director of Ecocentric Future Lab, and a Harvard graduate with distinction. She creates works addressing climate change, interspecies co-creation, humane technology, and perceptions. [LEFT BLANK]’s work has been exhibited internationally, at MoMA, Venice Architecture Biennale, Ars Electronica, Today Art Museum Biennial, SIGGRAPH, Milan and Dubai Design Week, ISEA, Anchorage Museum, and Museum of Design. She is the recipient of numerous awards including Forbes China 30 Under 30, STARTS Prize, Fast Company, Core77, and Outstanding Instructor Award at MoMA by Biodesign Challenge.
Dr WhiteFeather Hunter
PhD Biological Arts
University of Western Australia
Co-presenter
Biography
WhiteFeather Hunter is an internationally recognized Canadian artist as well as SSHRC Doctoral Fellow and Australian government scholar at The University of Western Australia. She has presented work in various institutions across the world, most recently at Art Laboratory Berlin, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic (UK), and Romaeuropa Festival. [LEFT BLANK]’s (often collaborative) art practice incorporates biotechnology, feminist witchcraft, video performance and pedagogy to create disruptive sci-tech narratives towards bodily autonomy. Recent publications include in Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies; Technoetic Arts: A Journal of Speculative Research and; Synthesis: An Anglophone Journal of Comparative Literary Studies.
Dr Carla Molins-Pitarch
Image Processing And Multimedia Technology Center, Universitat Politècnica De Catalunya-barcelona Tech Terrassa, Spain
PIC: Democratizing Biology Through DIY Interactive Popular Science
Abstract
The complexity of the tridimensional genome has much information to unpack. Bridging some of this information with a tangible object and interface can ease this process, acting as popular science. How can we make an interactive and tangible instance of scientific complexity to support this quest? The proposed answer is by codifying the genome in a physical interactive space and allowing an active interface for the audience with total agency among the genetic code. A DIY system is proposed to democratize this interactive popular science process. This project has been developed following the Fab Academy training in FabLabBcn within a research network of molecular biologists, ChromDesign, closely working with CNAG (National Center for Genomic Analysis).
Biography
Carla Molins-Pitarch is an experience designer, creative technologist, and researcher working in the intersection of design, technology, and science to bring a tangible instance to complex scientific concepts at the Image Processing and Multimedia Technology Center, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-Barcelona. Marie Curie fellow researcher at ELISAVA ( ChromDesign project), Barcelona School of Design & Engineering; doctoral researcher (GRECC & OCC) in science communication at Pompeu Fabra University (Spain); Design & Technology MFA '19 Parsons, The New School (USA). My past research has been centered on visualizing through haptic and interactive experiences those scientific concepts. I created different immersive experiences in my practice, including kinetic-robotic objects that materialize abstract concepts such as dark matter and antimatter to provide learning and discovery.
MfA Katri Naukkarinen
Aalto ARTS
FP: The Atomic Kinship: Re-Imagining Radioactive Agency Through Artistic Research
Abstract
This article explores the space of potentiality in-between interpretation and failure, in re-imagining radioactive agency within the framework of artistic research. By presenting the collaborative project Atomic Kinship, the article references an existing idea, that of a cult of radioactivity, which was proposed in relation to the realization of a repository for spent nuclear waste, as a means of transmitting cautionary messages about the dangers of encountering buried radioactive waste through deep time.
The article explores the physics of radioactivity and proceeds by presenting historical connections between its discovery and photography, highlighting the interconnectivity of art and research. By acknowledging the material agency of radioactivity, the collaborative artwork Decay Cyphers speculates on the possibility of decoding messages from radioactive sources, to open up questions about the nature of matter, existence, time and belief.
The Atomic Kinship thus proposes to consider an affective relation to radioactivity; an emotional connection with this nonhuman agent that can embrace different temporalities and dis/placements of radioactive particles, through the introduction of a deity. By envisioning a communal way of relating to radioactivity, the project intends to open questions about the ethical value of these reflections in addressing the issue of radioactive inheritance.
The article explores the physics of radioactivity and proceeds by presenting historical connections between its discovery and photography, highlighting the interconnectivity of art and research. By acknowledging the material agency of radioactivity, the collaborative artwork Decay Cyphers speculates on the possibility of decoding messages from radioactive sources, to open up questions about the nature of matter, existence, time and belief.
The Atomic Kinship thus proposes to consider an affective relation to radioactivity; an emotional connection with this nonhuman agent that can embrace different temporalities and dis/placements of radioactive particles, through the introduction of a deity. By envisioning a communal way of relating to radioactivity, the project intends to open questions about the ethical value of these reflections in addressing the issue of radioactive inheritance.
Biography
Katri Naukkarinen is a professional artist and doctoral researcher. Her research in the field of contemporary art considers the limits of human vision and explores frequencies and scales beyond them. Naukkarinen explores insights that might arise from within everyday environments, from the heres and nows, if that vision was expanded. She holds BAs in Aesthetics and Photography and an MFA in Photography from Aalto, with exchange studies at Tama Art University.
Mfa Aurora Del Rio
Doctoral Researcher
Aalto University
Co-presenter
Biography
Aurora Del Rio is a professional artist and doctoral researcher. Her artistic work is transdisciplinary, including video, performance, sound, installation, painting, and bioart. Her research looks at beliefs to consider the state of tension between ‘possible’ and ‘impossible’ in the creation of personal and collective realities. Del Rio holds a BA in Painting from the Academy of Fine Arts Bologna, and an MFA in Creative Practice from Transart Institute Berlin/New York.
Ms Lucie Paterson
Head Of Experience, Digital & Insights
ACMI
SP: Innovation and Experimentation to Increase Access to the ACMI Art Collection
Abstract
ACMI works at the cutting edge of emerging technology and digital innovation to present and preserve moving image and interactive art to its audiences now and safeguarding these collections into the future. This is done by applying a unique audience-centered approach combining experience design, digital preservation, and access practices across two key teams at the museum. The cross disciplinary approach leads to better results and means the experimentation is more expansive and impactful. It means ACMI can keep pace with the artists it works with and support them in this rapidly changing environment. Through a series of case studies from emulation, AI enriched search and on premises ‘reading room’ access this paper will consider how these strategies could be employed more broadly across the gallery, library, archive and museum sector and hopes to inspire collaboration and discussion.
Biography
Lucie is at the forefront of change and innovation in the museum field. With fourteen years of experience at leading cultural organisations, including Te Papa in New Zealand, Southbank Centre in London and now as Head of Experience, Digital & Insights at ACMI in Melbourne, Lucie's work shapes the exhibitions and experiences that will lead our sector into the future. Her work has won Australian (AMAGA) and international awards (GLAMi), and digital products made under Lucie's guidance have been adopted around the world in the UK, South America and New Zealand. Lucie is on the National Digital Forum NZ board and presents at conferences in Australia and overseas and writes regularly about museum process changes and practices online.
Session chair
Jiabao Li
The University of Texas at Austin
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