Monday, Mar 31, 2008    Text size: 

Themes of science, research and technology will be discussed within the context of urbanism, artificiality and control — or loss of control, according to monochrom.

Exploration of the future’s fantastic or nightmarish visions, combined with the possibilities and influence of scientific advancement, technological trends and the significance of pornography/sexuality in a postmodern world may also raise interesting questions for attendees.

“The impossibility of fitting many of these issues and relationships into such neat categorizations is not only accepted, but also encouraged,” monochrom said.

No list of speakers or show schedule has been released, but Arse Electronika will consist of three days of panel discussions, with each day having a different theme. Day One will feature “Narration,” Day Two will discuss “Technology,” and Day Three will center on “Politics.”

Parties interested in participating in the seminars may submit papers to monochrom, via the Arse Electronica website. A call for sponsorship has also been put out for the seminars. For more information, click here. Last October’s Arse Electronika seminars were held at the former Kink.com headquarters, at the Porn Palace in San Francisco.

Last year’s speakers included author of “Sex Machines” Timothy Archibald, philosopher Peter Asaro from Rutgers University's Center for Cultural Analysis, San Francisco Chronicle sex columnist Violet Blue, Slashdong.org’s Machulis, Center for Sex and Culture founder Dr. Carol Queen, as well as Wired Magazine contributing editor Annalee Newitz and “Sex Drive” columnist Regina Lynn, to name a few.