Arse Elektronika Conference Examines Sex, Society, Science Fiction

SAN FRANCISCO — Vienna-based culture/technology group monochrom will host a weekend-long Arse Elektronika conference titled "Do Androids Sleep with Electric Sheep? Critical Perspectives on Sexuality and Pornography in Science and Social Fiction" in San Francisco, to be held Sept. 25-28.

Expanding on the 2007 Arse Elektronika conference, also held in San Francisco, the group and attendees will explore themes of post modernist culture, society, technology, science fiction, philosophy, sexuality, pornography and areas where all of the topics collide to form a dynamic discussion, as well as explore futuristic themes.

The panels and discussions will include “questions of science, research and technologization [sic] are of interest, as is the complex surrounding urbanism, artificiality, and control [or the loss of control],” according to the event’s organizers.

“Depictions of the future, regardless of the form they take, always address the present as well,” the group said in a statement. “Imaginations of the fantastic and the nightmarish give rise to a thematic overlapping of the exotic, the alienating and, of course, the pornographic/sexual, as well.”

Speakers will include:

  • M. Christian — an acknowledged master of erotica
  • Daniel Fabry — researcher, lecturer and artist in the fields of media and interaction design
  • Richard Kadrey — novelist, freelance writer and photographer
  • Verena Kuni — researcher, lecturer and writer in the field of art and media cultures
  • Isaac Leung — artist, curator and researcher whose work focuses on art, technology and sexuality
  • Susan Mernit — a BlogHer contributing editor on sex and relationships
  • Kit O'Connell — author of science fiction and erotica
  • Jens Ohlig — long-time activist at the Chaos Computer Club in Germany
  • Carol Queen, Ph.D. — founding director of the Center for Sex and Culture
  • Bonni Rambatan — independent cultural researcher, theorist and blogger
  • Thomas Roche — a writer of more than 400 published short stories of erotic fiction, crime and speculative fiction
  • Bonnie Ruberg — sex and games journalist for The Village Voice and Forbes.com
  • Rudy Rucker — computer scientist, science fiction author and a founder of the cyberpunk literary movement
  • Viviane — a NYC-based librarian, sex nerd and blog mentor
  • On Sept. 25, the Arse Electronika Awards will be presented at an opening night event. The awards will recognize achievement in the areas of teledildonics, orgasmotrons and sex machines.

    The conference will be held at CELLspace, located at 2050 Bryant Street, in San Francisco. Attendees must be 21-and-over.

    Ticket prices range between $8 for attendance to the conference’s opening night event, to $20 for a single day pass and $40 for all three days. Tickets can be purchased at the Arse Elektronika website.

    The Arse Electronika conference has been scheduled to coincide with Leather Pride week, as well as the Folsom Street Fair, which takes place in San Francisco on Sept. 28.

    Related:  

    Copyright © 2025 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

    Strike 3 Rejects Meta 'Personal Use' Defense in AI Suit

    Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings this week responded to Facebook parent company Meta’s motion to dismiss Strike 3’s suit accusing Meta of pirating VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

    Pornhub, Stripchat: VLOP Designation Based on Flawed Data

    In separate cases, attorneys for Pornhub and Stripchat this week told the EU’s General Court that the European Commission relied on unreliable data when it classified the sites as “very large online platforms” (VLOPs) under the EU’s Digital Services Act, news organization MLex reports.

    SVibe Debuts 'Gizi Pro' Vibrator

    SVibe has introduced the new Gizi Pro vibrator.

    Lovense Launches AI Companion

    Lovense has launched its AI Companion.

    Orion Unveils New Styles From 'NEK' Line

    Orion Wholesale has released two new styles from its NEK line.

    Screaming O, Dynamo Wellness Sign Canadian Distro Deal With EP Products

    Screaming O and Dynamo Wellness have signed a deal with Canadian distributor EP Products.

    Janra Names Megan Swartz Chief Operating Officer

    Janra has appointed Megan Swartz as its new Chief Operating Officer.

    Entrenue Unveils 2026 Calendar Catalog

    Entrenue has released its 2026 calendar catalog, titled "Pleasure: Past and Present."

    Hankey's Toys Releases 'ThaMaskedBandit' Dildo

    Mr. Hankey's Toys has debuted its ThaMaskedBandit dildo.

    Williams Trading Releases 2025 'Christmas Giftables' Catalog

    Williams Trading Co. has released this year's edition of its "Christmas Giftables" digital catalog.

    Show More