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Symposium
Richard
Brown
Mimetics,
Alchemy and Consciousness
Presented
Friday May 10th at 3 pm
I
am interested in the creation of experiences that transform
the viewer through an interplay between mimetics and cognition.
Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Life
are examples of mimetic activities seeking to create the illusion
of the original, that which exists "out there",
in "reality". There are those that believe that
the process of creating such illusions may give us insight
into the form and function of the original. That we may create
artificial minds with a consciousness akin to ourselves, or
understand the true nature of space, time and energy. Others
are interested in the potential usefulness of such simulacra
- 3D gaming simulations, robotic pets and evolutionary algorithms.
It
is no longer possible to be a classic empiricist scientist
- an objective outside observer; we have to take into account
our perceptual and cognitive mechanisms that are often unconsciously
brought to bear in our dealings with the world. Artists tend
to include a conscious awareness of self, placing an importance
on the social and cultural values of their work. The modern
scientist should also be personally accountable, aware of
the potential repercussions and implications of their research.
Once
upon a time the alchemist practised a combination of science,
philosophy and mysticism - seeking to purify themselves through
internal and external transformations on base matter. Long
drawn out processes of distillation, refining, heating, cooling
- seeking the philosophers stone - the key to transcendence
through purifying the inner-self, a far cry from Harry Potter.
Through a process of individuation, Jung suggested psychological
methods of reaching within, to discover and become aware of
the deep and sometimes dark hidden subconscious processes
that effect our every conscious moment, decisions, desires
and actions.
In
the grey region between illusion and the perceived real lies
a region of magic. Walter Benjamin suggests that technology
can be imbued with the power of magic. When that which looks
or behaves real and is not, or breaks the assumed laws of
reality, it becomes magical. Benjamin talks about the importance
of recognising the social and cultural implications of technology
in the age of mediation and reproduction, outlining the danger
of being seduced by the power of mimetics. His thesis is all
the more relevant today in a world where we immerse ourselves
in illusions through cinema, television, consumerism and advertising.
Whilst at the same time we feel powerless and overwhelmed
through information overload and access to global news.
In
our sleeping states we enter another space, a world where
the so-called real undergoes a process of metamorphosis, stories
and fables haunt us, strange voices and tales tell us things
we no longer understand, remember or view as relevant. Once
perhaps we had time and reason to pay attention to the inner
voices, a shared cultural place of ritual and magic, getting
in touch with the ghosts within. The city creates a place
of escape, support and mechanistic slavery - we work, play
and immerse ourselves in its arms. As a western society we
have incredible power but no idea of where we are going, we
have lost touch with the shared inner voices, the magical
and transformative.
In
my presentation I wish to take the audience through a journey
of mimetics, alchemy and consciousness - a digital synthesis
of illusion, suggestion and magic. Examples of my work will
include Alembic, an alchemical installation of transformation
and suggestion, Biotica - an immersive experience of emergence
and embodied Artificial Life,
Mimetic Starfish - a living and sensing virtual starfish.
Examples of alchemy, the perception of time, process culminating
in a hypnogic experience. Stasis, an interactive audio experience,
through suggestion and imagination creates the ultimate in
virtual realities. I will conclude the presentation with some
thoughts on the nature of my forthcoming research and development
of mimetics.com.
Richard
Brown - Biography
For the last four years Richard Brown has worked as a research
fellow at the Royal College of Art investigating "art
as a mode of enquiry". This research led to the development
and exhibition of computer based interactive installations.
Richard has presented and shown at conferences and symposia
including ISEA, Siggraph and Mind Zone of the Millennium Dome
where The Times declared his work: "the best bit of the
entire Dome."
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