The Grid: Exposure

The worlds of art, technology and policy are often understood as distinct enterprises with their own codes, ethics, and practices. Technologies, however, are not simply artifacts, but dynamic systems entwined with culture and politics. While institutional allegiances and disciplinary investments might obscure this entanglement, the stakes are shared - and they are high. Gathering leaders from the sectors of art, technology and policy who have worked to cross these disciplinary boundaries, this discussion represents the Grid’s commitment to bridge international and intercultural differences between the US and EU. It names their shared stakes and seeks a common language grounded in the efforts of those already working at these intersections. With these alliances, how might we build a more inclusive future? Staging the kinds of interdisciplinary conversation and collaboration that animate the Grid, this panel explores how we might overcome siloed thinking to shape artistic innovation and technological development for the benefit of all.

The US and EU have complementary but divergent funding ecosystems, creating unique cultures of media arts practice in both areas. How does private vs public funding affect the artistic communities and kinds of work produced? What can we learn from the unique features of differing funding systems?

The current global pandemic has had a debilitating effect for arts institutions, collaborative endeavours and audience involvement. Watching yet another Facebook Live streaming video taking place in someone's bedroom or living room has a limited scope. What are some innovative solutions that organizations have developed since the pandemic started? How can creative technologic solutions lead us from 'Zoomification' to true engagement involving artists, audiences, and collaborations across distance networks? When the pandemic ends, what will we be left with? Is this the end of travel as we know it? Will the current solution be temporary, or permanent? This panel explores recent developments in artistic breakthroughs to these vexing challenges.

co-hosted by EUNIC NY and ThoughtWorks Arts

Explore how the world’s leading visual analytics platform is a forum for expression and inspiration by bringing together the worlds of data and art. Join Tableau experts as they walk through the opportunities for expression, understanding, and community-building of visualized data. The conversation will include discussion of pieces that emerged from working alongside traditional creatives, and those that emerged from the search for voices and insights. Take away a valuable understanding of how shifting the lens on data can wield incredible insights and deliver shareable experiences. Learn more about Tableau’s free data visualization software: public.tableau.com

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://salesforce.zoom.us/j/61714848183?pwd=QTA3U2FzM1A3QzQrNWErVkVxakFVUT09

Password: 507529

In this panel discussion, a group of policy makers, technologists, and artists from Europe, California, and Silicon Valley will debate the findings of Taming Tech, an initiative that brings artists, technologists and politicians from both sides of the Atlantic together. The goal is to find a new global framework that can address some of the downsides of emerging technologies that impact our human dignity (“human downgrading”), without ignoring their potential benefit.

In Partnership with:

Center for Humane Technology
STARTS
EU Delegation
BOZAR
Ars Electronica
Open Austria

How does the algorithmic contour the lyrical? Nearly a century ago, William Carlos Williams declared, “A poem is a small (or large) machine made out of words.” As artificial intelligence becomes a writing tool, his words take on a new resonance. Some critics of algorithmic literature decry the incursion of automation into this essentially human creative practice. Yet there is a long history of literature composed by, with, and for machines, from Ramon Llull’s combinatorial mysticism in the 13th century to Pāṇini’s pioneering work in generative grammar to the avant-garde poetry of Dada and OuLiPo. With an eye on this history, and one on the future, this panel examines the intersection of code with literary language, the computational remaking of one our earliest mnemonic technologies, and the algorithmic resurrection of style.  

Physical space closures due to COVID have led to a renewed interest for artists working in virtual spaces and worldbuilding. This panel presents artists and curators exploring the possibilities of online exhibitions to create intimate connections, explore adjacent presents, and go beyond physical reality in their visions.

The music industry was transformed drastically over the past couple of decades. For better or worse, these developments are tied to technological advancements and a rapidly adapting consumer behavior. Tech companies are invested in a future where AI forms an indispensable part of the creative process. Recent breakthroughs are already paving the way for music that is entirely created and performed by algorithms. But does that make AI an artist? This panel of experts will explore the blurry line separating the artist from the machine and discuss questions of authorship, human and artificial creativity, while also comparing different philosophical and creative approaches in Europe and the US. 

Universal Basic Income has received renewed attention as a means to increase economic mobility and equity. Its realization would have significant impact for artists -- shifting the asymmetric conditions for participation in the ‘arts industry’ and providing stability for the precarity of art workers around the world. How can UBI models be a tool to open up new subjective spaces as alternative to entrepreneurial individualism, focused instead on commons and care?
The event is edition #3 of the monthly event series NODES - Art + Tech Encounters.