Extropy in New York at ArtSci 99

Natasha Vita-More (natasha@natasha.cc)
Thu, 11 Nov 1999 19:06:14 -0800

ArtSci99 is being SPONSORED BY 12 Point Rule, Ltd., LEONARDO JOURNAL (MIT), ARTBYTE Magazine, and PROXIMA /Theatrical Supplies & Services, and is a co-production of Art & Science Collaborations, Inc.(ASCI) 718 816-9796 and the Extended Studies Program of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. 212 353-4195

(If anyone would like to meet me in Manhattan for this Conference, I will be facilitating the Breakout Session #2 after Panel #2: "Techno-artists, humanistic scientists, and artists-engineers abound. Pre-millennial bandwagon or true Renaissance? This panel will seek to examine what is different about today from any other period (e.g. 1960s) of strong, art-science relationships and define some of the factors behind this most recent convergence.")

For Information on the Conference:

http://www.asci.org/artsci99/index.html

ArtSci99 is a two-day symposium devoted to examining the history and nature of exemplary art & industry programs, "Modern-Day Leonardos," and the new artist-scientist teams that presage the future of art-sci collaborations. The biggest challenge lies in reaching-out to the various scientific communities and gaining their support and involvement. But what type of scientist or artist wants to collaborate? And why?

Scientists at the top of their fields have achieved success by understanding creativity as central to problem-solving. This means engaging in a process that is fluid and flexible. These scientists are most likely to be the ones who value collaborating with artists on projects that require both of their unique and various perspectives. Today, we find more and more artists inspired by and interpreting the impact of developments in the wide and quite diverse fields of applied and theoretical science, medicine, psychology, mechanics and technology. As well, many scientists are looking for ways to interpret their work visually and aurally and to provide a more humanistic rendering of discoveries in their field. The event format for ArtSci99 will include: keynotes, presentations by artist-scientist teams, panel discussions on topics dear to the heart and work of both artists and scientists, topical break-out sessions for more personal interaction, social activities, and pre-event online discussions. This program has been devised to achieve specific objectives: *dispel misconceptions, *move beyond polar stereotypes, *inform and inspire re: historical and current collaborations, *illuminate the strong commonalties between art and science, *increase mutual understanding and respect through communication, and *perpetuate a nurturing environment for collaborations.

Our artist and scientist panelists will tackle a variety of questions in relation to the nature of collaboration on the following topics: Reports from the Front: What was the nature of past art-sci collaborations?; Art-Sci at the Millennium: Why Now?; Scientific Theories Defining Creativity and its Effect on Collaboration; and Bio-Ethics: The Response by Art and Science.
ArtSci99 will be important not only to artists and scientists but to educators, researchers, writers, representatives from the technology industry and city/government agencies, funding sources, and anyone who is captivated by the intersection of art and science and interested in the implications of its future direction.

For 11 years, ASCI (Art & Science Collaborations, Inc.), a NYC-based non-profit organization, has produced member services and public events that highlight and nurture the intersection of art and science. Visit http://www.asci.org for history & projects. ArtSci98 -- brought together top research scientists, artists, writers, and theorists from fields as varied as astronomy, chemistry, marine biology, computer animation, invention, science fiction, mathematics, digital special effects, visual art and music. This distinguished group presented the concepts of their most current work in relation to the nature of creativity. (Archived program)