PRESS RELEASE
Come to the place where Art and Science meet
…and don’t forget your Avatar!
All networks have a central source, a place in which the energetic forces are conceived and this summer, Toronto will become a wellspring.
From June 10th-14th 2009, a scintillating array of scientists, designers and technology/new media-artists will journey from around the world to gather, share innovations and network at the 12th annual Subtle Technologies Festival. This year, at the Festival, the workshops, symposium, galleries, performances, and social events will be inspired by Networks of all kinds - neural, biological, genetic, dynamic information, virtual, social and even a visit to our ubiquitously networked future.
True to this years theme, the Subtle Technologies Festival will be taking place, not only at U of T’s Innis Town Hall, but also in one of the worlds most infamous virtual ‘networks’, Second Life. The symposium will be sent on a live feed into OCAD’s virtual classroom island, where residents of Second Life from around the globe can engage with the Festival.
Subtle Technologies, is the brainchild of Toronto-based mastermind Jim Ruxton, an artist, electrical engineer and professor at OCAD. Jim co-founded the Subtle Technologies Festival in 1998 with the vision of bringing the diverse worlds of art and science together.
“Most people don’t think that the two fields have much in common, but the artistic and scientific processes have striking similarities. Both fields require a great deal of creativity and toil to reach successful conclusions. Both artists and scientists know the brilliance of those eureka moments, when everything comes together in an elegant manner, be it an installation or a theory, a painting or an equation. Both the artistic and the scientific communities are seeking to explore, experiment and uncover that which is hidden from our view and the Subtle Technologies Festival is a perfect place for them to come together to collaborate and be inspired.” says Jim Ruxton, Subtle Technologies Programming Director.
Advances in science and technology test the limits of our rapidly evolving human environments. Thus, it is not surprising that some of the most innovative areas ripe for exploration by artists are currently in those realms. Subtle Technologies is created and attended by passionate individuals who seek to break barriers and bring innovation to the city, the country and the world. The future is a collaboration of art, science and technology and Subtle Technologies lives at the forefront.
Did you know could make art from bacteria – and live to talk about it? What will our ubiquitously networked, computer-driven future look like? How can we tell compelling stories through social networks? Would you like to take a closer look at the internal networks that drive our every action? To explore these ideas and many more, come and check out the source of of this innovative, international network. Come to the place where Art and Science meet.
“The Subtle Technologies Festival is an exciting meeting point for pioneering, cross-discipline innovators to share their new and experimental ideas. It is the place to go if you want to learn, network and be engaged in cutting edge art, new media and science.”
- Brett Hendrie - Managing Director of Hot Docs and Subtle Technologies Board Member
“Subtle Technologies provides entry into the paradigm shifting practice of art and science collaboration — revealing prescient and salient models of new worlds in the making.”
- Sara Diamond, President Ontario College of Art & Design and Subtle Technologies Board Member
Subtle Technologies Festival 2009
Date: Wed, June 10th, 2009 - Sunday, June 14th, 2009
Location: Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave. Toronto, Canada
Times: Workshops - 9am-5pm; Symposium - 9am-5pm; Fri. Evening Performance - 8pm; Saturday Gallery Opening - 6pm; Sat. Night ‘Networks‘ Party - 8pm.
Cost: One Day $95 (includes single night event); Full Festival - $265 (includes both night events); Student/Unwaged - Full Festival - $75 (includes both night events); Workshop Price - $250; 1 Workshop + Full Festival - $475; Sat. Evening Party & Fri. Evening Performance - $15 minimum donation (at the door)
Info: www.subtletechnologies.com
Contact: Star Spider, Festival Production Manager
Mobile: 647.628.7335 E-mail: star@subtletechnologies.com