<nettime-ann> 2013 Subtle Technologies Call for Submissions on Immortality

[Bishop Zareh <xchicago@gmail.com>]

.
> 
> In 2013, Subtle Technologies will be holding its 16th Annual Festival in
> Toronto.
> 
> 
> Our symposium, performances, workshops, screenings, exhibitions and
> networking sessions provide a forum to explore ideas and pose questions
> at the intersection of art, science and technology.  Subtle Technologies
> is known internationally for presenting artists and scientists whose
> work is at the leading edge of their respective disciplines and creating
> a space for dialogue that will lead to future discussions and
> collaborations.
> 
> 
> Our 2013 festival takes place on June 8th and 9th at various venues
> throughout Toronto. In 2013 we will be exploring the theme of
> Immortality. Through history, concepts of immortality have had an
> important place in virtually all spiritual and philosophical traditions.
> As we have with past festival themes, we will be exploring this year’s
> theme from a broad perspective bridging art, science and society. We
> encourage and welcome submissions that explore ideas of immortality that
> arise from outside the Western framework. There are a number of areas
> related to immortality that we would like to probe during this year’s
> festival.
> 
> 
> The average life expectancy continues to climb in many parts of the
> world and there are those who believe we can and should push this
> threshold ever higher.  While many see physical life extension as the
> route to immortality, there are others who believe immortality can be
> achieved by merely preserving an individual’s consciousness, through
> either biological or digital means.  If consciousness could be digitally
> represented, could a person “live” forever in a virtual world? We want
> to look at the science behind life extension as well as the numerous
> philosophical, ethical, practical and social questions that arise. These
> sciences include the realms of cyborgs, life extension through
> pharmacological means, cryogenic preservation and ideas surrounding the
> collection of an individual’s connectome – the complete mapping and
> re-creation of a brain’s electrical structure.
> 
> 
> There are many online sites that act as digital memorials of deceased
> individuals. Facebook, for example, has created a special setting for
> memorializing deceased Facebook users, while protecting sensitive
> information to prevent identity fraud. People continue to send messages
> as if the deceased was still alive. What role does our online digital
> identity play in immortalizing us?  How can we envision avatars in
> online worlds such as Second Life bringing us closer to a form of
> immortality?
> 
> 
> Scientists now have the knowledge to design new lifeforms through
> techniques in synthetic biology.  What questions arise, now that
> creating life (once believed to be the role of immortal beings) is in
> the hands of modern science?
> 
> 
> It has been said that creating art immortalizes the artist. While many
> paintings, drawings, musical scores and works of literature have lasted
> through centuries, how will the digital artist be remembered as
> technology advances and digital platforms change? We see the question of
> preservation as an important topic in our discussion of immortality. If
> we can’t achieve individual immortality, how do we achieve it
> collectively? We would like to look at projects by artists and
> scientists that seek to archive art, history, society and experiences
> through constructing time capsules, objects, techniques and technologies
> that withstand the destructive powers of time and the environment.
> 
> 
> Immortality can also be explored through abstract ideas of time and
> modern physics. There are a number of contemporary physicists who
> theorize that time as we experience it is an illusion. If so, how do we
> define immortality with these new understandings of time since extending
> our time on earth is seen as a key component of immortality? Alternative
> concepts of time can be found not only in contemporary physics but also
> in ancient cultures and traditions outside of the euro-centric
> perspectives of science.  Some theories of modern cosmology and physics
> present us with the idea that we may be living in a world that is not
> “real” but merely a simulation. How do we frame these theories in terms
> of immortality?
> 
> 
> At our 2013 festival we hope to examine the science behind the above
> questions as well as artists’ interpretations and responses to notions
> of immortality.
> 
> 
> Possible areas to be explored in this year’s Festival from either an
> artistic or scientific approach include:
> 
> 
> •    Art and Immortality
> •    Avatars
> •    Bioethics
> •    Bioart
> •    Consciousness
> •    Cryonics
> •    Digital Immortality
> •    Genomics
> •    Life Extension
> •    Longevity Science
> •    Mind Uploading
> •    Nanotechnology
> •    Neuroscience
> •    Pharmacology
> •    Philosophy
> •    Physics
> •    Rejuvenation
> •    Robotics
> •    Science and Society
> •    Singularity
> •    Spiritual Immortality
> •    Synthetic Biology
> •    Transhumanism
> •    Virtual Worlds
> 
> 
> These topics are only suggested ones for inclusion in the festival.
> Other relevant enquiries within the realm of art, science and technology
> that explore our theme of immortality are welcome.
> 
> 
> To have your submission considered for either the symposium, poster
> session, exhibition, screenings or workshop, please complete the online
> submission form here
> http://subtletechnologies.com/call-for-submissions/ 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Jim Ruxton
> Director of Programs
> Subtle Technologies Festival
> jim@subtletechnologies.com
> www.subtletechnologies.com
> Twitter:  @SubtleTech
> 
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