Virtual Futures is the West-Midlands' longest running cyberculture conference with previous events including a live demonstration of computer controlled body parts, music and video-enhanced presentations from internationally renowned theorists, a series of talks from leading authorities on new scientific paradigms of complexity and non-linearity and guided tours of revolutionary virtual reality environments.

The Virtual Futures Salon is a new series of unique underground events exploring the convergence of technology, art, science and philosophy. They aim to explore one of most important intellectual and cultural developments of our times – the technological extension of the human condition.

On October 24th 2012 the Virtual Futures Salon will be hosted at the TROVE Gallery, Birmingham UK and explore the theme of image, thrill, and the semi-artificial imagination:

Does life imitate art or does art imitate life? For philosophers and artists there have always been two types of imagery: 1) the faithful reproduction and 2) the image that is distorted intentionally. Increasingly interactions with synthetic and technologically driven spaces could be said to blur our perception of what is authentic. Designers and artists have often attempted to create faithful simulacrum that mimic the natural environment (in a process of bio-mimicry). But in the 21st Century, where we are increasingly impressed by our own technological prowess, we now have the tools to adapt and reform our environment - no longer biased by the the biological but servant to the synthetic.

Virtual Futures Salon will aim to question the limits of representation and imagery exploring different ways in which technology is fundamentally changing what it means to be human.

The event will include artworks and discussions from an exciting line-up of internationally renowned participants:

Dr. Trudy Barber, Sex-tech Researcher, Artist and Senior Lecturer

Pat Cadigan, Queen of Cyberpunk

Prof. Johnny Golding, Philosopher & Director of Centre for Fine Arts Research

Dan O'Hara, Philosopher of Technology

Dr. John Pickering, Cognative Scientist

Sascha Pohflepp, Artist (Synthetic Aesthetics)

Mer Roberts, Artist from collective 0rphan Drift

Franken Beaumont, Performance Artist

Liam Worth, Installation Artist

J.R. Dooley, Sound Artist & Composer

More to be confirmed...

This event willl be followed by a series of live artworks at [ S T A T E ] Of the Invoked at The Vaults, Newhall Hill, Birmingham, B1 3JH

Both events are free, but entrance is first come first serve so please arrive early to secure your seat.

EVENT DETAILS

Virtual Futures Salon @ TROVE: The Semi-Artificial Imagination

Date: October 24, 2012

Time: Panel Discussion 5pm - 8pm

Where: TROVE, Newhall Square, off 144 Newhall Street, Birmingham, B3 1RY

Nearest Train: Birmingham Snow Hill/ Birmingham New Street/ Birmingham Moor Street

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/events/368738186543449

More Details: http://vfutur.es/mxKKU

The Virtual Futures Salon is supported by the Centre for Fine Arts Research (CFAR) at the Birmingham Institute for Art and Design and the University of Warwick Theatre and Performance Studies Department. With special thanks to Ian O'Donoghue and Rob Batterbee.