[spectre] Call for Proposals. Non-machines: Playground of Perspectives

[Mindaugas Gapševičius]

Hello on Spectre,


bellow is the Call for Proposals for the conference

Non-machines: Playground of Perspectives

at the Bauhaus University Weimar. For the conference we are looking for 
various inputs, deadline for the proposals is the 10th of May 2023, or, 
a couple of days more -- if interested, please send a short note.

All best
Mindaugas Gapsevicius

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Conference
21-22 July 2023
Bauhaus University Weimar

Humans invented computing machines to use them as tools. However, these 
tools have developed to such an extent that, what not long ago was 
thought to be unimaginable, for example, computational generated texts 
or machines creating new machines, is now common-place.

The conference “Non-machines: Playground of Perspectives” reflects this 
situation which is fast becoming a new normal. By “non-machines” we mean 
human and non-human actors or tools that are not yet integrated into a 
machine network, such as a creature evolving freely in nature, or a 
human not connected to digital networks.

The conference invites us to rethink the relations between machines and 
non-machines, using a change of perspective: from one which sees the 
relationship between machines and non-machines as competing powers, to a 
more equitable and non-competing relationship among all entities.

As part of the COST project Toolkit of Care, this conference will 
explore how emerging technologies, particularly digital technologies, 
suggest new relationships between artists and their technological tools. 
How can and should machines and non-machines relate to each other? How 
can the use of new methods and tools help us experience the environment? 
How can, or should, we care for and with machines and non-machines? Does 
thinking about our relationship with tools suggest ways of thinking more 
generally across boundaries of difference? Topics addressed may include, 
but are not limited to:

Interactive strategies in interdisciplinary art-projects
The role of maker-tools for artists
Gender and identity in performative arts
Alternative spaces and collective problem solving
Merged realities in hybrid human-machine discourses
Cultural strategies in policy making
Care in the context of hybrid human-machine environments

The open call is directed to artists, writers, philosophers, designers, 
activists, engineers & changemakers. Please send an abstract of your 
presentation proposal and CV at o-o at o-o.lt. The deadline is the 10th of 
May 2023.

The framework of this conference is developed by the professorship of 
Media Environments (Prof. Ursula Damm), with support from the 
professorship of Social Science Urban Research (Prof. Dr. Frank 
Eckardt). The conference is organized by the Institutio Media in 
collaboration with Bauhaus University Weimar. It is part of the COST 
(European Cooperation in Science and Technology)-funded project: Toolkit 
of Care (TOC), CA21102.

If you have any questions, please contact Mindaugas Gapševičius, 
Artistic Associate at the Chair of Medial Environments, at 
mindaugas.gapsevicius[at]uni-weimar.de.