In a world where things, plants and machines are increasingly animated and charged with human-like characteristics, the conference focuses on the notion of »techno-animism«. Perspectives of animism lie at the core of discussions surrounding, for example, the individual personalities of devices – such as voice assistants like Siri or Alexa – and the active participation of artificial intelligence in creative processes. These perspectives are especially relevant in the »Anthropocene« – the geological age in which humans exert a significant influence on the earth and its ecosystems. 

The three focal points of the event – »Assistants«, »Avatars« and »Atmospheres« – are influenced by current developments in media technology and will be addressed from a variety of perspectives by renowned speakers such as artist duo »Ruth Anderwald and Leonhard Grond«, Anselm Franke and Angela Melitopoulos. The topic of »Assistants« pertains to new technologies such as ChatGPT and MidJourney and their influence on activities that are considered to be fundamentally human. »Avatars« accompanies participants into virtual realities and to the main actors operating in these spaces. The theme »Atmospheres« examines technological developments, including smart cities and the Internet of Things. A joint visit to three Bauhaus-Universität Weimar labs will provide insight into current research processes on these topics and allow conference participants to experience the practical implications.

Taking current challenges into account, the conference aims to embed the discussion on animism in German-language media studies and, in particular, to emphasise capitalism-critical aspects and potentials.

»Assistants, Avatars, Atmospheres. Perspectives on Animism in Media Studies and Media Art« Conference

24-26 January 2024
Oberlichtsaal in the Main Building of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 8, 99423 Weimar
Faculty of Media laboratories, Schwanseestraße 143
Lernraum.Atelier, Amalienstraße 13

Organisers Jenny Brockmann, Prof. Dr. Henning Schmidgen and Dr. Mathias Schönher cordially invite you to participate (register by e-mail to henning.schmidgen[at]uni-weimar.de). Further information on the conference can be found at www.uni-weimar.de/animismus-maschinismus.

With contributions from Ruth Anderwald, Volker Bernhard, Jenny Brockmann, Judith Dörrenbächer, Anselm Franke, Leonhard Grond, Moritz Hiller, Angela Melitopoulos, Matteo Pasquinelli, Patrick Urs Riechert, Elisabeth von Samsonow, Ephraim Schott, Erhard Schüttpelz, Henning Schmidgen, Mathias Schönher, Angelika Seppi and Elena Vogman.  

Programme details: https://www.uni-weimar.de/fileadmin/user/uni/zentrale_einrichtungen/uk_kommunikation/medienservice/Medieninformationen/2024/01/Flyer_Programm.pdf In case of questions, please contact Juliane Seeber, Public Relations and Marketing Representative at the Faculty of Media (e-mail: juliane.seeber@uni-weimar.de; phone: + 49 (0) 36 43 / 58 37 06).

In a world where things, plants and machines are increasingly animated and charged with human-like characteristics, the conference focuses on the notion of »techno-animism«. Perspectives of animism lie at the core of discussions surrounding, for example, the individual personalities of devices – such as voice assistants like Siri or Alexa – and the active participation of artificial intelligence in creative processes. These perspectives are especially relevant in the »Anthropocene« – the geological age in which humans exert a significant influence on the earth and its ecosystems. 

The three focal points of the event – »Assistants«, »Avatars« and »Atmospheres« – are influenced by current developments in media technology and will be addressed from a variety of perspectives by renowned speakers such as artist duo »Ruth Anderwald and Leonhard Grond«, Anselm Franke and Angela Melitopoulos. The topic of »Assistants« pertains to new technologies such as ChatGPT and MidJourney and their influence on activities that are considered to be fundamentally human. »Avatars« accompanies participants into virtual realities and to the main actors operating in these spaces. The theme »Atmospheres« examines technological developments, including smart cities and the Internet of Things. A joint visit to three Bauhaus-Universität Weimar labs will provide insight into current research processes on these topics and allow conference participants to experience the practical implications.

Taking current challenges into account, the conference aims to embed the discussion on animism in German-language media studies and, in particular, to emphasise capitalism-critical aspects and potentials.

»Assistants, Avatars, Atmospheres. Perspectives on Animism in Media Studies and Media Art« Conference

24-26 January 2024
Oberlichtsaal in the Main Building of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 8, 99423 Weimar
Faculty of Media laboratories, Schwanseestraße 143
Lernraum.Atelier, Amalienstraße 13

Organisers Jenny Brockmann, Prof. Dr. Henning Schmidgen and Dr. Mathias Schönher cordially invite you to participate (register by e-mail to henning.schmidgen[at]uni-weimar.de). Further information on the conference can be found at www.uni-weimar.de/animismus-maschinismus.

With contributions from Ruth Anderwald, Volker Bernhard, Jenny Brockmann, Judith Dörrenbächer, Anselm Franke, Leonhard Grond, Moritz Hiller, Angela Melitopoulos, Matteo Pasquinelli, Patrick Urs Riechert, Elisabeth von Samsonow, Ephraim Schott, Erhard Schüttpelz, Henning Schmidgen, Mathias Schönher, Angelika Seppi and Elena Vogman.  

Programme details: https://www.uni-weimar.de/fileadmin/user/uni/zentrale_einrichtungen/uk_kommunikation/medienservice/Medieninformationen/2024/01/Flyer_Programm.pdf In case of questions, please contact Juliane Seeber, Public Relations and Marketing Representative at the Faculty of Media (e-mail: juliane.seeber@uni-weimar.de; phone: + 49 (0) 36 43 / 58 37 06).