“It is always a special experience to talk to Otto Rössler, a very sweet and deep man, whose kindness comes from outer dimensions. This conversation, a noisy low tech experience, recorded on the fly from the laptop’s mic, happened during Transmediale08 at HKW, few hours after Otto’s key-note presentation. It is about black-holes, conspiracy in science, finding new paths, basting popular beliefs, fighting with heaven…” - Eleonora Oreggia

With Caitlin Berrigan, Adam Zaretsky, Brandon Ballengee, and Kathy High :: organized and moderated by Regine Debatty :: March 14, 2008; 7:30 pm :: New Museum, NY.

Biology plays an increasingly pervasive role in international society and our lives—a role that artists are responding to with a diverse array of practices. Some have started to collaborate with research labs to engage with organic materials; others buy DIY biology sets reminiscent of the early computer kits of the late ´70s. All are getting their hands into the material of life itself to reflect upon some of the most complex issues society has to deal with: the integration of biotechnology in quotidian life, and the ethical, cultural, and even political consequences of scientific discovery.

STS Colloquium Joins with MIT’s Space, Policy and Society Research Group to present The UrbanSpaceStation - Natalie Jeremijenko :: March 12, 2008; 5:30 - 7:00 pm :: MIT, Building E15, Lower Level (Bartos Theater), Cambridge, MA.

The UrbanSpaceStation (USS) is a device designed to sequester the carbon dioxide emissions from buildings (which account for 80% carbon dioxide emissions in Manhattan and 35% of the national average) and return oxygen-enriched air to the building. It provides an intensive urban agriculture facility, coupling and reusing building waste streams locally, and potentially providing significant food. Continue reading

ArtBots is pleased to announce that the fifth international ArtBots exhibition for robotic art and art-making robots will take place at the Trinity College Science Gallery in Dublin, Ireland on September 19-21, 2008. Creators of talented robots are invited to submit their work for possible inclusion in the show. Deadline: May 1, 2008.

We have no fixed idea of what qualifies as robotic art; if you think it’s a robot and you think it’s art, we encourage you to submit your work. Regardless of whether it’s hi-tech, low-tech, or neg-tech, we’re interested in the ideas you’re working with, not just the gear. Proposals for workshops, performances, and other kinds of participation are also welcome. Continue reading

Light, Space, and Perception is workshop/work group led by Daniel Canogar, Julian Oliver and Pablo Valbuena that aims to conduct research and experiments with the use of light, projection, and visual perception in different settings, gathering people from fields including architecture, visual arts, urbanism, stage and set design, programming, physics, optics, psychology, and the physiology of perception :: Medialab - Prado, Plaza de las Letras. C/ Alameda, 15, 28014 Madrid :: Sessions: April, 3, May 24, and June 26, 2008 (to be continued in the Fall). Online registration deadline: March 26.

The meetings will focus on conceptual discussions and project presentations and, as far as possible, on the development of prototypes and tools. Continue reading

Synapse: Collaboration between the arts and sciences has the potential to create new knowledge, ideas and processes beneficial to both fields. Artists and scientists approach creativity, exploration and research in different ways and from different perspectives; when working together they open up new ways of seeing, experiencing and interpreting the world around us. For the past decade, the Australian Network for Art & Technology (ANAT) has provided opportunities for artists and scientists to work together. Through Synapse, and in partnership with the Australia Council for the Arts, ANAT offers residencies, the Synapse Database and now ANAT is pleased to announce its latest initiative: a moderated elist discussion on contemporary art and science collaborations in fields including bioart, artificial intelligence, robotics, climate change and space, amongst others. You can subscribe here. Continue reading

SCI-Arc presents, Quasar, a new site-specific installation by the LA/NY-based design/media firm slap!, founded by architect Jean-Michel Crettaz, and produced in collaboration with the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) and Stanford’s Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology. “Quasar is an immersive light and sound space made from prototype membranes realized as an interactive light/sound object and comprised of a dense array of interlinked elements describing an intricate three-dimensional structure.”

The exhibition draws on SLAC’s continued interest in developing an awareness of the interconnectedness of space and material, with a goal of extending established notions of volume and scale. Continue reading

[Image: Jorgen Tandberg and Yo Murat’s winning design] “In Texas some bat lovers have excavated caves and built towers on their land to encourage bat settlement. I’m interested in initiating a project suitable for bats in London. A number of partners have joined me this year to launch an open competition to design a bat house to give a much-needed year-round habitat to bats in the Southwest London area. There is great pressure on bat numbers in London as buildings get redeveloped and home improvements leave little space for bats to live in. In this structure the bats are our client and we hope to be able to accommodate different species that have different housing needs, the raising of a family, hibernation etc.” Continue reading

The Climate Clock Global Initiative is seeking ideas from artist-led teams to create a major artwork entitled Climate Clock, which will measure changes in greenhouse gas levels, and be the first in a series of global projects calling attention to climate change. Climate Clock will be an instrument of long-term measurement and will collect data for 100 years. The artwork will be located in downtown San Jose, California, Silicon Valley’s city center, and will be a collaboration between an artist-led team composed of artists, international and Silicon Valley engineers and other creative professionals who are working with climate measurement and data visualization. It is anticipated that the budget for the construction of Climate Clock will be between $5 and $15 million, depending upon the scope of the final proposal. Continue reading

Tina Gonsalves’ Chameleon Project :: February 13, 2008; 7 - 8:30 pm :: The Dana Centre, 165 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London.

Are emotions infectious? Why can one person make a previously upbeat group feel glum? How does empathy work? Experience emotional contagion yourselves and chat to artist, Tina Gonsalves and the neuroscientists behind the interactive video and sound art installation Chameleon. Physiologist Harry Witchell, (commentator for “On the Couch With Big Brother”) will reveal the elements of non- verbal communication as the audience take part in a live art event that demonstrates emotional contagion. Neuroscientist, Neil Harrison will discuss the biological mechanisms of how we infect each other with our emotions. Continue reading