03 Nov 2017

Nonhuman Agents in Art, Culture and Theory
Interdisciplinary Conference
Nov 24-26 2017

As a theoretical addition to our ongoing exhibition series Nonhuman Agents (June-December 2017), Art Laboratory Berlin, along with our partners, The Institute for Arts and Media, University of Potsdam, will bring together international artists, scholars, and scientists from different disciplines to discuss artistic, philosophical, ethical and scientific approaches to nonhuman agency. Previous positions from our Nonhuman Subjectivities series (2016-17) will also be included.

The series Nonhuman Agents takes into account recent philosophical approaches which question anthropocentrism. These discourses emphasize the nonhuman perspectives through object-oriented ontology (Harman and Meillasoux); discuss nonhuman / human encounters (Haraway); postulate a posthumanism (Braidotti); and examine various posthuman performative strategies such as intra-acting (Barad). A new 'de-centring' lets us draw our attention to a reality that can no longer be described in purely anthropocentric parameters.

The conference will start with a reflection on post-anthropocentrism by redefining intelligence (human, animal and plant intelligence), agency and sentience. An in-depth consideration will include the role of fungi: mycelium, the Internet of trees and yeasts. Microbial agency will be explored via the phenomenon of quorum sensing and biofilms, proposing a micro-subjectivity. There will be contributions on the microbiome and holobiome, taking into consideration the human as nonhuman. We want to open up a discussion to endosymbiosis and sympoiesis, reflecting symbiotic relationships, horizontal gene transfer and the role of Lynn Margulis in 21st century Biology and Science and Technology Studies. Finally, the conference will discuss nonhuman perspectives under threat and propose an ethology for the techno-scientific era.

Conference program: http://www.artlaboratory-berlin.org/html/eng-event-40.htm


Concept of Conference: Regine Rapp & Christian de Lutz

In cooperation with:
Institute for Arts and Media, University of Potsdam

With the generous support of:
Senate Department for Culture and Europe

Media partner:
art-in-berlin

Cooperation partner:
Studio Deussen

Art Laboratory Berlin is supported by:
Degewo


* Image credits: Left: Theresa Schubert, 'The forestal psyche', 2017, photo: Tim Deussen/Studio Deussen
Center: Robertina Šebjanic, 'Aurelia 1+Hz', 2014, photo: Hana Jošic
Right: Saša Spacal with Mirjan Švagelj and Anil Podgornik, 'Mycophone_unison', 2013, photo: Tim Deussen/Studio Deussen