The international research project Phychip, funded by the European Union, spent three years studying self-growing computers based on the physarum polycephalum slime mould. The professorship for Media Environments with the artist Theresa Schubert was the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar partner in the project.
From 4 to 5 February 2016 the professorship organised the interdisciplinary »Inoculum« conference to wrap up the project.
The study of living materials is no longer exclusively the purview of the natural sciences. Scholars in the humanities, artists, and even hobby geneticists conduct experiments and reflect upon the relationship between humans and other forms of life. »Inoculum« took its lead from this phenomenon, bringing together experts from the fields of art, natural sciences and philosophy to discuss their take on living beings.
Inspired by the method of inoculation, which introduces living material into cells, the conference strove to ›strike a vein‹ and cultivate a controversial debate. Lectures and discussions placed the research with slime mould and other biological materials into an historical, social and philosophical context, while performances presented an artistic treatment of the issue.
The Mexican artist and project collaborator Leslie Garcia, together with the Interspecifics Collective, performed a concert based on the electrical voltage of the slime mould. The living organisms were integrated into the electronic instruments. Under the motto »becoming-animal« the Slovenian artist Maja Smrekar examines gender aspects and human relationship to animals. She presented her new project by giving a performance that involves her living in a hybrid family with dogs.
»Inoculum« is curated by the artist Theresa Schubert. The event is organised by the professorship of media environments at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Admission is free.
Conference »Inoculum – Connecting the Other«
Thursday, 4 to 5 February 2016
CLB Berlin annex, Moritzplatz, 10969 Berlin
www.inoculum.phychip.eu
Lectures and discussions in the English language are offered by and with Suzanne Anker, Laura Benitez Valero, Ursula Damm, Michael Dirnberger, Hans-Günther Döbereiner, Martin Grube, Agi Haines, William Myers, Dani Ploeger, Maja Smrekar and others.
4 February, starting at 7 pm performances by Dani Ploeger and Interspecifics Collective
The conference is a part of the project »Physarum Chip – Growing Computers from Slime Mould« and is financed by the European commission as part of the FP7 Programme »Future and Emerging Technologies«. With the generous support of the CLB Berlin – Collaboratorium in the annex on Moritzplatz in Berlin.
Changes from color to monochrome mode
contrast active
contrast not active
Changes the background color from white to black
Darkmode active
Darkmode not active
Elements in focus are visually enhanced by an black underlay, while the font is whitened
Feedback active
Feedback not active
Halts animations on the page
Animations active
Animations not active