<nettime-ann> Announcement: Call for papers (Colloquium)

Second Call for Papers for the colloquium

MOBILE/ IMMOBILIZED: Art, biotechnologies & (Dis)abilities

Montréal, October 2007

“A human being would lack nothing, if one were to admit that there are a thousand ways to live.” Canguilhem

Following through on the activities that took place within the framework of two colloquia and publications, Interfaces et Sensoralité (Presses de l’Université du Québec, 2003) and Arts et Biotechnologies (Presses de l’Université du Québec, 2004), and based on the work with the persons of disabilities conducted, over several years, by the group at Cyprès in Marseille, we believe it is opportune to provide a site for insightful reflections on questions relating to (dis)abilities. At the intersection of several contemporary art projects, bioscientific research activities and technological innovations, the notion of deficiency seems to be one of the most fertile and troubling forces. It has certainly had a pronounced affect on the experimental art scene, generating an array of creativity and producing spectacular and symbolically-rich artworks.

At the present time, it is important to evaluate the technological and biotechnological supports that affect conditions of viability, of autonomy and (dis)abilities of human beings and to observe any evolutionary signs signalling an increase in human cognitive, mental, imaginary and symbolic capabilities.

Artists, theorists, (bio)scientists, and (bio)engineers) and other specialists working in related fields are invited to present their artworks, ideas and research, as well as certain developments and applications in this domain. Some of the themes to be explored are:

Redesigning the Human

All disciplines involved in the redesigning of the human being are included within the framework of this colloquium. On the one hand, these disciplines occupy the central stage, determining and illuminating the orientation and objectives of the colloquium Mobile / Immobilized, and on the other hand, they serve as a gauge, allowing one to evaluate the techno-anthropological and political impact of such practices on humans.

The Augmented Body

Increasingly, technological developments give the impression that human beings are inadequately equipped. This section of the colloquium concentrates on artistic works whose orientation and experimental factors, open up conceptual possibilities as well as practical applications for people with certain deficiencies or constraints (Virtual reality, biofeedback, motion captures, interactivity, synthetic voices, sound, technological extensions, implants, etc.). Certain artworks/technologies, adapted to and for particular disabilities may result, in certain cases, in technical or technological solutions that offer unforeseen uses for a broad public and increased knowledge about the human body, cognition, etc.

Interfaces, the Sensorial & (Dis)abilities

A number of scientific research projects currently explore alternative modes and different avenues in view of reactivating or transmitting certain sensorial capabilities that have either deteriorated, are deficient or are simply misunderstood. Certain experiments open up a whole field of practical possibilities that, in turn, permit one to imagine different forms of life and other ways of representing the human and certain human functions. Such scientific experiments coincide with research conducted by a number of artists who have also developed interfaces permitting different kinds of connections with others and with the environment.

Art as a Life Laboratory

The question here is the study of artistic approaches that propose an important slippage towards a centre of gravity different from the site of current art practices. It is a matter of considering new artworks and artistic processes as cognitive tools, charged at one and the same time with an emotion and with indissociable cognition, artworks that permit one to conceive of strategies for inventive learning and adaptation in the attempt to find new symbolic and sensory forms. These approaches permit one to redefine artistic activity in terms of the laboratory of life by actively participating in the development of tools that work for, and in concert with, persons with disabilities. This can be done by considering specific imaginaries, unique forms of creations and creativity, and different modes of global communication.

Please submit to the Centre Interuniversitaire en arts médiatiques <gram@uqam.ca>

a short biography (15 lines)

an abstract of 250 words maximum

before September 10, 2006