Biorama

location

bioramaevent — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:15:15 +0000

google map of location of Castleton

Biorama2 official announcement

bioramaevent — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:00:26 +0000

Time and Place:

Presentations:
June 25th Peak Cavern, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 8WS
11am to 9pm

Workshops:
June 24th and 26th, University of Huddersfield
(more information to follow)

Mission Statement:
Biorama2 will explore the biology of the underground through the notion of ‘umwelt’ developed by Jakob von Uexküll (1864 – 1944) and its influence on the development of biosemiotics by Thomas Sebeok (1920 – 2001).

Using the underground of caves and mines and the organic life they contain as a form of parallel terrestrial biology, we develop a ‘parallel science’ through the study of extreme and/or ‘removed lifeforms’ and through the science of astrobiology. Biorama II will explore a rich contextual and conceptual background against which to investigate some of the outer (or inner) limits of terrestrial biology and strategies for life. Framing itself as a platform for exploring these and related imaginaries – via literary luminaries, various heretics and other visionaries of the underworld and the potential of life (immanent, alien, emergent and other) Biorama2 will stage a series of discussions, workshops and expeditions which will serve to examine how organisms living independently of sunlight develop a sensory and informatic relationship with their strange environments.

Speakers:
Oron Catts – artist and director of Symbiotica
Agnes Meyer-Brandis – artist
Ulla Taipale – curator of Capsula
Graham Proudlove – cave biologist from BCRA
Paul Humphreys – microbiologist
Anthony Hall – artist
Andy Gracie – artist

Sound performance from Joe Gilmore

Workshops:
Related worskhops will take place at the University of Huddersfield on 24th and 26th June. These workshops will involve the collection of biological samples from mine and cave environments and their further investigation via microscopy and bioelectronic interfaces in the laboratory.
The workshop is limited to 12 places and reservation is essential.

Additional info:
To book your place or request additional information, please e-mail Tie Doepel at t.doepel@hud.ac.uk. Travel to Peak Cavern in Derbyshire from the Huddersfield University Campus will be provided although early booking is essential as places are limited.

The cave, Peak Cavern or the Devil’s Arse depending on preference, is a 15 minute walk from Castleton centre. Walking boots are not essential but reasonably sturdy footwear will be. Leave the high heels at home ladies and gentlemen.

what is biorama?

bioramaevent — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:49:18 +0000

Biorama was curated and coordinated by Monica Bello and staged at the DRU, at the University of Huddersfield in June 2007. It was a one-day event that illustrated new directions in art, science and technology by bringing together artists who explore notions of life, science and digital realities. By presenting these artists in the context of the then DRU Artist in Residence Biorama explored a rich territory in which multiple threads of investigation came together to manifest unique interpretations and unfamiliar possibilities.

Biorama served to contextualise, examine and expand upon the research carried out by Andy Gracie during his residency which weaved together the microbiology of the Pennines around Marsden Moor, traditional and digital networking systems, satellite communications, perceptions of landscape and the history and possible future of interstellar communication.

Biorama1 – synopsis

bioramaevent — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:43:31 +0000

The first Biorama event took place at the University of Huddersfield on 13th July 2007 and consisted of the morning Biorama Hike follwed by lunch, the Biorama sessions and finally some audio peformance.

The hike was led by Andy Gracie and Brandon Ballongee and served to contextualise and explore some of the themes covered in Andy’s residency, of which Biorama was the closing act. Twenty people braved the cold and the rain for a few hours trekking across Marsden Moor discussing satellites, mapping systems, microbial life and hunting for frogs and other specimens.

In the afternoon sessions there were presentations by Andy Gracie, Agnes Meyer-Brandis, Brandon Ballongee, C-Lab, France Cadet, London Fieldworks and E-Toy.

The evening was seen out with beautiful sound performances by Thor Magnusson and Enrike Hurtado of Ixi.

Biorama2

bioramaevent — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:12:35 +0000

Biorama II will explore the biology of the underground through the notion of ‘umwelt’ developed by Jakob von Uexküll (1864 – 1944) and its influence on the development of biosemiotics by Thomas Sebeok (1920 – 2001). Uexküll’s Umwelt and Sebeok’s biosemiotics explore the relationships of organisms with their environment, the information systems they contain and the production, action and interpretation of signs in the biological realm.

Using the underground of caves and mines and the organic life they contain as a form of parallel terrestrial biology, we develop a ‘parallel science’ through the study of extreme and/or ‘removed lifeforms’ and through the science of astrobiology. Biorama II will explore a rich contextual and conceptual background against which to investigate some of the outer (or inner) limits of terrestrial biology and strategies for life. Framing itself as a platform for exploring these and related imaginaries – via literary luminaries, various heretics and other visionaries of the underworld and the potential of life (immanent, alien, emergent and other) Biorama II will stage a series of discussions, workshops and expeditions (to the centre of the earth) which will serve to examine how organisms living independently of sunlight develop a sensory and informatic relationship with their strange environments.

Following on from the highly successful and well received Biorama which took place at and around the University of Huddersfield and the Digital Research Unit in July 2007, we will be staging Biorama2 in late June this year.

Venue and speakers are still to be confirmed, but this event will be another mix of interesting and challenging discussion from artists and scientists, live sound performance, workshop activities and getting wet and muddy in the wild Yorkshire nature.