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 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

    Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

    Full Circle Debuts New 'Cleo Feather' Vibe

    Pleasure brand Full Circle has introduced its new Cleo Feather Tickler vibrator.

    Pjur Launches 'Toy' Line in North America

    Pjur has announced its Toy series of wellness products will be available for purchase in the U.S. starting in September.

    Orion Expands Cottelli 'Costumes' Line

    Orion Wholesale has introduced two new outfits from its Cottelli Costumes line.

    Harry Styles' Lifestyle Brand Enters Sexual Wellness Space With 'Pleasing Yourself' Vibe, Lube

    Pleasing, the lifestyle brand founded by Harry Styles, has launched its first sexual wellness product line, Pleasing Yourself, featuring a double-sided vibrator and a silicone lubricant.

    Tenga Names Kyrie Hara Sales Lead

    Japanese pleasure brand Tenga has appointed Kyrie Hara as its new sales lead for Tenga USA.

    Electric Novelties Expands 'Together' Collection

    Electric Novelties has introduced four new items from its Together collection.

    Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

    Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

    Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

    Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

    Motorbunny Debuts 'Grip' Stroker Attachment

    Motorbunny has introduced its Grip stroker sleeve attachment for its sex machines.

    Show More