Is This Now Art?

Our contemporary art institutions inability to reflect the experimental art “zeitgeist” in Australia 25 years ago does not necessarily apply today. To the point that there are now stand-alone institutions and large events that only cater for what was once considered experimental and emerging.

Activity that was then hidden in bedrooms and garages is now at the forefront of much contemporary practice and practitioners that once used tech as the tool are now becoming the tool for the tech. NFT’s, prestigious Art awards won by AI and deep fakes are just the beginning of what comes next….or is that what is meant now by “This is Not Art”? Did we just miss the “This is Now Art” phase?

If you are confused as well, join this discussion so that we can try and figure out the status quo – collaboratively, and as humans without technology. Limited numbers, closed doors, no recordings, no streaming… Chatham House Rules.

This event is programmed by Kristefan Minski and Art Thinking

Venue: Clyde Street Studios

Supported by Create NSW.

Speaker BIO’s

Miriam Kelly
Miriam Kelly has recently joined Newcastle Art Gallery as the Head of Curatorial and Exhibitions. Miriam’s interest in contemporary art engaged with technology has been explored in recent curatorial contributions developed as the Senior Curator at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Melbourne (2018–22), including the forthcoming exhibition Data Relations (2022–23), which highlights contemporary art made with data and about our 'datafied' society, and an earlier project that incorporated gaming, artificial intelligence, and experimental digital animation titled Feedback Loops (2019–20).

Dr Benjamin Matthews
Ben is a Lecturer in Design with the School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences at the University of Newcastle. His background and research are interdisciplinary, ranging from extensive professional experience in creative media production to scholarly writings inspired by digital communication and media art. His recent publications, such as The Robot Ate My Homework, examine the impacts of automation on the future of work in the design profession.

Kristefan Minski (AU)
Kristefan is an artist, technologist, producer, entrepreneur and academic. He is an expert in transdisciplinary collaboration and holds a PhD in the field. For 10 years he worked for the world-renowned Ars Electronica Futurelab and continues to represent Ars Electronica as an official ambassador. He is the founder and CEO of Art Thinking and is currently a part-time lecturer for the University of Newcastle in the College of Human and Social Futures.

Molly McNeil
Molly is an emerging academic and cultural practitioner. As a representative of Critical Animals on the Octapod/This is Not Art board, they endeavour to foster opportunities for experimentation and creative research in Newcastle’s arts ecosystem. Her research, which is grounded in anthropology, explores the experience of infrastructure in rural Australia.

Hero Image Credit:
POETIC AI / OUCHHH (TR)
Presented at Ars Electronica Center’s Deep Space 8K
Photo Credit: Ars Electronica / Robert Bauernhansl