SPEAKERS:
Jon McCormack http://jonmccormack.info/
Alisa Andrasek https://www.alisaandrasek.com/

Computers have long been regarded as the antithesis to human creativity – logical and analytical, formulaic and practical – but new research into evolving technologies is shedding a deeper understanding of how creativity can be understood. The use of Artificial Intelligence is set to fundamentally change artistic processes. This month’s Experimenta Social presents two practitioners from different creative fields – design and art – whose practice is led by creative collaborations with these AI technologies.

Jon McCormack is an Australian-based artist working at the nexus of art, technology and society. His experimental practice is driven by an enduring interest and research in computing. McCormack is a hybrid artist whose creative practice emerges from an amalgam of education pathways, with an Honours degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, a Graduate Diploma of Art (Film and Television) and a PhD in Computer Science.

McCormack’s practice incorporates generative art, sound, evolutionary systems, computer creativity, visualisation, virtual reality, interaction design, physical computing, machine learning, L-systems and developmental models. Inspired by the complexity and wonder of the natural world, his work is concerned with electronic ‘after natures’: alternate forms of artificial life which, due to unfettered human progress and development, may one day replace a lost biological nature. He is currently the director of SensiLab at Monash University in Melbourne.

http://jonmccormack.info/

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Designer and innovator, Alisa Andrasek is working on the convergence of design, computer science and exponential technologies. She is bringing AI and robotics to the forefront of architectural design and construction.

The founder of Biothing, an award winning design laboratory; a partner of Bloom Games; and co-founder of AI Build, Andrasek is Professor of Design Innovation at RMIT, prior to which she directed an award winning program in advanced architectural design at UCL in London and Wonderlab research. Her work has been exhibited at the Centre Pompidou Paris, New Museum NY, Storefront NY, FRAC Collection Orleans, TB-A21 Vienna, Beijing and Sydney Biennial, among others.

https://www.alisaandrasek.com/

Experimenta Social is a series of talks, discussions and demos designed to provide proximity to some of Australia’s most adventurous contemporary artists, researchers and creative technologists.

This artist-led series is curated by Experimenta Media Arts explores practices at the nexus of art and technology, science, culture and design. You will hear from artists sharing their latest projects and researchers presenting projects that grapple with the concerns of our time. Beyond inconsequential debates over the role of media arts in a post-media world, Experimenta Social will combine activated audiences drawn from contemporary art, social research, electronic art and non-professional spheres for lively debate and discussion. Free drinks and refreshments are available.

Experimenta Social is a free event, taking place every third Wednesday of the month.
20 March, 17 April, 15 May, 19 June, 17 July, 21 August, 18 September, 16 October, 20 November 2019
www.experimenta.org/experimenta-social

Experimenta Social is presented in partnership with ACMI X, and supported by Marc Besen AC and Eva Besen AO.

ACMI X - VENUE ACCESS:

The venue is wheelchair accessible. Enter the Australian Ballet Centre building from Kavanagh St, into a lobby with elevators. Take the elevator to Level 4. ACMI X is further up the corridor and on the left. Amenities with wheelchair access are available on Level 4. There is on-site parking with elevator access.

Alternatively you can also get to ACMI X via St Kilda Rd, across the pedestrian bridge behind Arts Centre Melbourne to Australian Ballet Centre. ACMI X is located immediately to the right of the entrance.

For more info on how to get there, visit: https://www.acmi.net.au/acmi-x/#location

Please note that your email address will only ever be used to communicate with you regarding Experimenta Social events. Your information is strictly confidential and will never be shared with any third party organisations.

Image Credit: '76tree' from the 'Fifty Sisters' series by Jon McCormack.