Next Nature 2008: The Biggest Visual Power Show - an intellectual show between a conference and a pop concert; from movies to live performance. From physical experience to virtual imagination :: May 17, 2008; 8:00 - 10:00 pm :: Million Dollar Theater, 307 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA.

We are living in a time in which the ‘made’ and the ‘born’ are fusing. Hypoallergenic cats are already on the market. Plants are used as sensors, information displays and chemical factories. Animals are being augmented and branded. Young girls are provided with hypernatural vaginas, modeled after the photoshopped vaginas seen in Playboy magazine. In response to donor organ shortages, researchers are working on a 3D organ printer. Real nature is not green. It is out of control. Games have become jobs. Second life is not sustainable. Digital world metaphors are boomerang into our physical environment. Everyday robots give massages and take care of the children. RFID chips open doors, they might be infected, but nonetheless are edible.

The extent to which new technologies are intervening in the constructive, material, aesthetic and social practice of everyday life can hardly be underestimated. Highways, airports and supermarkets are part of our natural environment. Our established image of nature needs to be updated.

Next Nature; the nature caused by human culture. Nowadays, children know more corporate logo’s and brands than bird or tree species. Our technological world has become so complex and uncontrollable it has become a nature of its own. Wild systems, genetic surprises, autonomous machinery and beautiful black flowers. Nature changes along with us.

With: Manuel Castells, Kevin Kelly, Rob Schroder, Michiko Nitta, Tinkebell, Susana Soares, David Kremers, Rene Daalder / Folkert Gorter, Floris Kaayk, Julian Bleecker, Erik Davis, Peter Lunenfeld, Hendrik-Jan Grievink, Judith de Leeuw, Luna Maurer / Roel Wouters, Arnoud van den Heuvel, Rolf Coppens, Christian Bramsiepe, Helena Muskens, Quirine Racke and more…

In the weeks towards the Biggest Visual Power Show 2008 we post a few video’s of earlier power show presentations. Philosopher Prof. Dr. Jos de Mul – author of countless articles and books like ‘Cyberspace Odyssey’, ‘Domestication of Fate’ and ‘Database Delirium’ – was a speaker at the Biggest Visual Power Show 2005 in Paradiso, Amsterdam. Inspired by the images of Basia Knobloch and music of Lauri Anderson, professor De Mul decided to sing his lecture.