Kink.com and monochrom Host Arse Electronika

SAN FRANCISCO —Kink.com will host Arse Electronika , a sex-tech themed conference that will take place Oct. 5-7, sponsored by Vienna-based art-technology-philosophy think tank monochrom. The conference will focus on the intersection of technology and sex and its effect on culture.

“According to a study by Simon Smith, more than 800 items were registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as sex toys between 1840 and 1997,” monochrome founder Johannes Grenzfurthner said. “Among them was a condom with a built-in computer chip that can play music. Progress?

“From the depiction of a vulva in a cave painting to the newest Internet porno, technology and sexuality have always been closely linked. No one can predict what the future will bring, but history indicates that sex will continue to play an essential role in technological development,” Grenzfurthner said.

Various speakers will appear at the three-day conference including author of “Sex Machines” Timothy Archibald, philosopher Peter Asaro from Rutgers University's Center for Cultural Analysis, San Francisco Chronicle sex columnist Violet Blue, Viennese radio journalist Thomas Edlinger, Slashdong.org’s Kyle Machulis, Center for Sex and Culture’s Dr. Carol Queen, Eroszine.com editor Thomas Roche and Wired Magazine contributing editor Annalee Newitz, to name a few.

Topics of discussion will include “Putting It in Perspective: What Role Does Technology Play in Today’s Mainstream Porno Films,” “Pornomechanics: Sex Robots and the Mechanisms of Love” and “Getting the Message Across: Hardware and Software Interfaces for Sexual Interaction,” as well as several other seminars featuring technology-based sexual interaction trends and cultural analysis.

“The question is not whether these technologies alter humanity, but how they do so,” Grenzfurthner said.

Founded in 1993, monochrom calls itself “an unpeculiar mixture of proto-aesthetic fringe work, pop attitude, subcultural science, context hacking and political activism.” The group publishes monochrom magazine and books, as well as sponsors many international events and projects that range in focus from art to politics to technology, as well as sex and pop culture and all combinations thereof.

Co-sponsored by Weinkultur and Laughing Squid tickets can be purchased through the Arse Electronika website. Admittance to all three days is $30 per person. The event will be held at Kink.com’s Porn Palace, located at 415 Jessie St. in San Francisco.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

AEBN Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Adult Entertainment Broadcast Network (AEBN) is celebrating its 25th year in business this week.

Nebraska Legislature Passes Republican's Age Verification Bill With No Votes Against It

Nebraska’s unicameral legislature has passed the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still have antitrust claims that they may pursue in the future.

Xgen Now Shipping ZOLO's 'Stroke Off' Collection

Xgen Products is now shipping the Stroke Off collection of 11 handheld strokers and four masturbators modeled after lifelike body parts.

Nobü Unveils 'Gyrä' Vibrating Grinding Pad

Nobü has introduced the new Gyrä vibrating grinding pad.

Orion Introduces New 3-Motor Vibrator From 'Sweet Smile' Line

Orion Wholesale has debuted the new three-motor RC G- & P-Spot Vibrator from its Sweet Smile line.

C1R Debuts 'Vers' Suction Dildo, Butt Plug

C1R has introduced its new Vers liquid silicone suction dildo and butt plug.

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have filed a petition before the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit asking to stay its recent upholding the law because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

Blush Erotica, The Kinky Candle Company Partner for Branded Candle

Blush Erotica has partnered with The Kinky Candle Company for an official branded candle.

FSC Vows to Fight Florida Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) issued a statement vowing to continue fighting Florida’s age verification law, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday as part of a comprehensive bill targeting minors’ use of social media.

Show More