[spectre] xCoAx 2020 submissions extended to February 16.

[L Ribas]

   **xCoAx 2020: 8th International Conference on**
   **Computation, Communication, Aesthetics and X**

   8-10 July 2020, Graz, Austria

   **Extended submission deadline: 16 February 2020**

   http://xcoax.org/

   **Call for papers, artworks, performances**

   xCoAx is an exploration of the intersection where computational tools
   and media meet art and culture, in the form of a multi-disciplinary
   enquiry on aesthetics, computation, communication and the elusive X
   factor that connects them all.

   xCoAx has been an occasion for international audiences to meet and
   exchange ideas, in search for interdisciplinary synergies among computer
   scientists, artists, media practitioners, and theoreticians at the
   thresholds between digital arts and culture. Starting in 2013 in
   Bergamo, xCoAx has so far taken place also in Porto, Glasgow, Lisbon,
   Madrid, and Milan.

   The focus of xCoAx is on the unpredictable overlaps between the freedom
   of creativity and the rules of algorithms, between human nature and
   machine technology, with the aim to evolve towards new directions in
   aesthetics.

   In 2020 xCoAx will take place in Graz, Austria, directly adjoining the
   symposium Algorithms That Matter (ALMAT). On the two days preceding
   xCoAx, ALMAT gathers artists and researchers to present and discuss the
   relations between algorithmic agency and artistic research, the practice
   of algorithmic experimentation and its impact on compositional process.
   ALMAT has issued a separate call for participation (
   https://almat.iem.at/symposium.html ) and reduced combi-tickets will be
   available for xCoAx + ALMAT.

   xCoAx 2020 calls for papers, artworks, performances and research
   works-in-progress by scholars, artists, performers and students,
   respectively, working on any of the multi-disciplinary facets of this
   event, which will take over Graz for 3 days, starting July 8th 2020, at
   the following venues:

   - the CUBE at the Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustic of the
     University of Music and Performing Arts Graz
   - Forum Stadtpark at the centre of the main city park
   - Grazer Kunstverein on the ground floor of the historic Palais
     Trautmansdorff in the centre of Graz
   - Orchestersaal and the Ligeti Hall of the MUMUTH, the House of Music
     and Music Drama.

   xCoAx 2020’s keynote speakers are the philosopher of technology Yuk Hui
   and new media artist Špela Petrič.

   **Topics**

   You are invited to submit theoretical, practical or experimental
   research work in the form of papers, artworks, and performances, on a
   range of topics that includes but is not limited to the following:

   - Computation
   - Communication
   - Aesthetics
   - X
   - Algorithms / Systems / Models
   - Artificial Aesthetics
   - Artificial Intelligence
   - Audiovisuals / Multimodality
   - Creativity
   - Design
   - Interaction
   - Games
   - Generative Art / Design
   - History
   - Mechatronics / Physical Computing
   - Music / Sound Art
   - Performance
   - Philosophy of Art / of Computation
   - Technology / Ethics / Epistemology

   **Important dates**

   - Submission deadline - extended: February 16
   - Notifications: March 23 [papers], March 30 [artworks and performances]
   - Registration deadline for authors: May 3
   - Delivery of final versions: May 3
   - Doctoral symposium: July 8
   - Exhibition opening, opening cocktail, performances: July 8
   - Performances at the Ligeti Hall: July 9
   - Conference and exhibition: July 9 & 10

   **Submission categories**
   **Papers**

   5 to 10 pages conference paper, following the formatting in the Word
   template at http://xcoax.org/xCoAx_2020_Paper_Template.docx
   Revision of papers will be double-blind. Please make sure that the PDF
   file is completely anonymized (i.e. omits author-related information in
   body of text or as explicit self-citations, notes and bibliography).
   Accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings and
   allotted 15 minutes presentation time at the conference in the
   Orchestersaal in the MUMUTH.

   **Doctoral Symposium Abstracts**

   Only Master’s and PhD students can apply to present their
   work-in-progress and receive feedback from established researchers.
   Submit a document, following the formatting in the Word template at
   http://xcoax.org/xCoAx_2020_DoctoralSymposium_Template.docx , comprised
   of a letter of support from your advisor followed by a 2-page research
   paper with 1) Purpose of the research and its importance to the field;
   2) Brief survey of background and related work; 3) Description of the
   proposed approach; 4) Expected contributions; 5) Progress towards goals.
   Revision of proposals will be single-blind. A revised version will be
   requested for inclusion in the proceedings after the symposium. Previous
   xCoAx Doctoral Symposia were chaired by Frieder Nake, Mario Klingemann,
   Philip Galanter, and Simona Chiodo. The Doctoral Symposium will take
   place in the Cube at the Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustic of
   the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz.

   **Artworks**

   3 to 4 page description paper, following the formatting in the Word
   template at http://xcoax.org/xCoAx_2020_Artwork_Performance_Template.docx
   Revision of proposals will be single-blind. Proposals should provide a
   clear description of the work, one or more URLs for access to relevant
   media assets, and a technical rider (layout, setup, required equipment).
   The acceptance of artworks will not only depend on reviews, but also on
   their technical requirements. xCoAx has a limited budget, mainly based
   on the registration fees. Works that require excessive resources on
   xCoAx’s part may not be accepted. It is fundamental that the proponents
   are ready to bring their own equipment and minimize their reliance on
   the xCoAx organization.
   All accepted works will be allotted 5 minutes presentation time at the
   conference in the Orchestersaal in the MUMUTH. Artworks will be part of
   the exhibition at the Kunstverein and the Forum Stadtpark. The
   proceedings will publish an extended abstract to be provided by the
   authors after the conference.

   **Performances**

   3 to 4 page description paper, following the formatting in the Word
   template at http://xcoax.org/xCoAx_2020_Artwork_Performance_Template.docx
   Revision of proposals will be single-blind. Proposals should provide a
   clear description of the work, one or more URLs for access to relevant
   media assets, and a technical rider (layout, setup, required equipment).
   The acceptance of artworks will not only depend on reviews, but also on
   their technical requirements. xCoAx has a limited budget, mainly based
   on the registration fees. Works that require excessive resources on
   xCoAx’s part may not be accepted. It is fundamental that the proponents
   are ready to bring their own equipment and minimize their reliance on
   the xCoAx organization.
   All accepted works will be allotted 5 minutes presentation time at the
   conference in the Orchestersaal in the MUMUTH. Performances will be
   allotted a maximum of 20 minutes on stage during the performance night
   at the Forum Stadtpark. The proceedings will publish an extended
   abstract to be provided by the authors after the conference.

   **Special call for performances at the Ligeti Hall**

   The Ligeti Hall is KUG's main concert stage, equipped with
   state-of-the-art technology for sound and video projection. In
   particular, the hall provides a system of 32 loudspeakers mounted on
   independent, custom made motorised suspensions, which allow to adjust
   height level, azimuth angle and tilt of each individual speaker and to
   compose custom speaker layouts. Further, an array of 64 speakers spans
   the hall's entire ceiling and upper walls.
   This is a call for works which are especially tailored towards the
   Ligeti Hall's special infrastructure and its possible aesthetic
   implication. In particular, we seek contributions with a strong
   experimental and electroacoustic character that challenge common and
   established approaches to sound on multichannel setups. Further
   information regarding this special call can be found here:
   https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/700387/700388
   Submissions to this category should follow the same formal
   specifications as detailed for the performances categories.

   **Additional information and submission details**

   - All works must be submitted via EasyChair:
     https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=xcoax2020
   - Submissions must be original and will be rigorously reviewed by an
     international and multidisciplinary scientific committee, in a process
     that will assess originality, relevance, artistic and technical
     achievements;
   - Submissions should be presented as .pdf files with all the media files
     embedded or linked to online resources;
   - Final versions for publication should be delivered in .docx with all
     the images and other media files attached as independent files;
   - All images and media assets must be cleared for publication by the
     authors;
   - At least one of the authors of each selected contribution must
     register to the conference before the first author registration
     deadline in order for the work to be published in the proceedings;
   - xCoAx’s working language is English;
   - xCoAx’s conference proceedings (with ISBN) will be published online
     with free access;
   - A selection of works will be published in a forthcoming special issue
     of CITAR’s Journal of Science and Technology of the Arts
     (http://artes.ucp.pt/citarj/);
   - Please contact the program chairs at info at xcoax.org with any questions
     regarding submissions.

   **Conference format**

   - Wednesday July 8 afternoon: Doctoral symposium
   - Wednesday July 8 evening: Opening of the exhibition, reception
     cocktail, performances.
   - Thursday July 9: Conference, keynote. Presentations will be organised
     in panels chaired by a moderator. A guest keynote will close the day.
   - Thursday July 9 evening: Performances at the Ligeti Hall.
   - Friday July 10: Conference, keynote, artworks and performances
     session. Further paper panels will be held in the morning, while the
     afternoon will be dedicated to presentations on artworks and
     performances. A second keynote address will close the day.
   - Friday July 10 evening: Conference dinner.

   **Registration**

   - Author registration: € 220 — Before May 3rd. One author per paper.
     Includes entry to conference, performances, and conference dinner.
   - Reduced registration: € 90 — Non-presenting co-authors, authors
     without academic affiliation, general public. Includes entry to
     conference and performances, and conference dinner.
   - Doctoral symposium: € 90 — Includes entry to conference and
     performances, and conference dinner.
   - Conference dinner: € 30 — Open to non-registered accompanying persons.
   - ALMAT discount: € 30 — Add this to your ticket, and in addition to
     xCoAx you will also be registered for the Algorithms that Matter
     symposium (06–07 July 2020) at a discounted price.
   - Registrations will open after the notifications of the reviews (March
     2020).

   **Scientific committee**

   Adriana Sá - ESAD/CICANT
   Alessandro Ludovico - Winchester School of Art, University of
   Southampton / Neural
   Alice Eldridge - University of Sussex
   André Rangel - CITAR
   Andreas Broeckmann - Leuphana Arts Program, Lüneburg
   Andreas Muxel - Faculty of Design at University of Applied Sciences Augsburg
   Andreas Zingerle - independent artist
   Andres Burbano - School of Architecture and Design, Universidad de los
   Andes, Colombia
   Anne Balsamo - University of Texas at Dallas
   Anneké Pettican - Department Lead Art & Communication, University of
   Huddersfield
   Arne Eigenfeldt - Simon Fraser University
   Boris Debackere - V2 / Luca School of Arts
   Carlos Guedes - New York University Abu Dhabi
   Chara Lewis - Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University
   Christian Faubel - independent artist
   Cristina Sá - CITAR / Portuguese Catholic University, School of Arts
   Dale Macdonald - University of Texas at Dallas
   Daniel Irrgang - Weizenbaum Institute / Berlin University of the Arts
   Daniel Schorno - STEIM
   David Pirrò - Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics, University of
   Music and Performing Arts, Graz
   Filipe Pais - Ensadlab, Ensad, Paris
   Francisco Cardoso Lima - Independent Artist, Aveiro
   Frieder Nake - University of Bremen & Hochschule für Künste Bremen
   Hanns Holger Rutz - University of Music and Performing Arts Graz
   Heitor Alvelos - ID+ / Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Porto
   Irina Spicaka - CC4AV
   João Cordeiro - CITAR / University of West London
   Jason Reizner - Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
   Jon He Massey - University
   Jon McCormack - Monash University
   Kristin Mojsiewicz - Edinburgh College Of Art, University Of Edinburgh
   Linda Kronman - independent artist
   Luísa Ribas- CIEBA / Faculty Of Fine Arts, University Of Lisbon
   Manuela Naveau - Ars Electronica
   Mario Verdicchio - Università degli Studi di Bergamo
   Martin Kaltenbrunner - Kunstuniversität Linz
   Max Hampshire - Independent Researcher & Artist
   Miguel Carvalhais - INESC TEC / Faculty Of Fine Arts, University Of Porto
   Mitchell Whitelaw - College Of Arts And Social Sciences, Australian
   National University
   Mona Kasra - University Of Virginia
   Nathan Wolek - Stetson University
   Nuno N. Correia - University Of Greenwich
   Patrícia João Reis - University Of Applied Arts Vienna, Austria,
   Department Of Digital Arts
   Paulo Ferreira Lopes - Hochschule Mainz
   Pedro Cardoso - INESC TEC / Faculty Of Fine Arts, University Of Porto
   Penousal Machado - University Of Coimbra
   Philip Galanter - Texas A&M University
   Ricardo Melo - CEOS.PP / Polytechnic Of Porto. Porto Accounting And
   Business School
   Rodrigo Hernández-Ramírez - Instituto de Arte, Design e Empresa (IADE)
   Rosemary Lee - IT-University Copenhagen
   Roxanne Leitão - Central Saint Martins, University Of The Arts London
   Rui Penha - INESC TEC / Feup
   Rui Torres - Electronic Literature Organization / Faculty Of Human And
   Social Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, Porto
   Samuel Van Ransbeeck - UCP/CITAR
   Sophie-Carolin Wagner - Austrian National Library / RIAT
   Shusha Niederberger - House Of Electronic Arts Basel
   Tim Boykett - Time's Up
   Thor Magnusson - University Of Sussex / Ixi Audio
   Valentina Nisi - University Of Madeira
   Valentina Vuksic - Zurich University of the Arts
   Winnie Soon - Department of Digital Design at Aarhus University

   **Organizing committee**

   André Rangel - CITAR
   Jason Reizner - Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
   Luísa Ribas - CIEBA / Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon
   Mario Verdicchio - Università degli Studi di Bergamo
   Miguel Carvalhais - INESC TEC / Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Porto

   **Local organizing committee**

   David Pirrò - Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics, University of
   Music and Performing Arts Graz
   Hanns Holger Rutz - Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics,
   University of Music and Performing Arts Graz
   Daniele Pozzi - Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics, University
   of Music and Performing Arts Graz

   **Contacts**

   info at xcoax.org
   http://xcoax.org
   https://twitter.com/xcoaxorg
   http://facebook.com/xcoax.org
   https://www.instagram.com/xcoaxorg/