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

    European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

    The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

    New Membership Site 'Sluts Corner' Launches

    R18 Entertainment has launched a new membership site, SlutsCorner.com.

    'Groove Thing' Sets Kickstarter Funding Record for Insertable Pleasure Product

    Groove Thing, an insertable pleasure product that plays audio, has set a funding record on Kickstarter.

    Nalpac/Entrenue, Ohdoki Sign Distro Deal for 'The Handy'

    Nalpac/Entrenue has inked an exclusive U.S. distribution deal with Ohdoki Products for The Handy.

    Roxie Rae Relaunches Site Through XSiteAbility

    Roxie Rae has relaunched her site through XSiteAbility.

    Onahole Debuts New 'Miss Boss Cup' Stroker

    Pleasure brand Onahole has introduced its new Miss Boss Cup stroker.

    ProDx Health Introduces 'Trust 1' HPV Test

    ProDx Health has introduced its new Trust 1 Home Collection Kit for HPV testing.

    Eye of Love Debuts 'Pheromone Roll-On Duo' From Bloom Line

    Eye of Love has introduced the Pheromone Roll-On Duo fragrance set from its Bloom collection.

    Full Circle Releases 'Grinders' Collection

    Pleasure brand Full Circle has debuted its new Grinders collection of discreet vibrators.

    Doc Johnson, Polynesian Pleasures Ink Distro Deal

    Pleasure brand Polynesian Pleasures has signed a deal with Doc Johnson for global distribution.

    Show More