The HYBRID MATTERs Symposium will take place 24th and 25th of November at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki.

HYBRID MATTERs investigates hybrid ecologies, the convergence of our environment with technology and essentially the intentional and unintentional transformation of our planet through human activity. In a hybrid ecology biological actors like humans, animals and plants share a life-world with machines, networks and increasingly also genetically altered organisms and other post-natural actors. A hybrid ecology is a thought vehicle which enables us to expand our concept of the environment, to re-evaluate our idea of an external nature and to rethink our relationship to the world. As we humans drive this process of hybridization we are part of the biological and technological. HYBRID MATTERs asks how we can address both ends and develop respectful and mutually beneficial forms of co-existence.

Confirmed keynote speakers are:

Jussi Parikka - Professor in technological culture & aesthetics at Winchester School of Art (University of Southampton)

Jennifer Gabrys - Reader in the Department of Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London

Steen Rasmussen - Professor at the Center for Fundamental Living Technology (FLinT), University of Southern Denmark

Keynote respondent:

Cecilia Åsberg - Professor and chair of Gender, Nature, Culture, Linköping University

Panelists:

Kristina Lindström, Åsa Ståhl, Thora Petursdottir, Björn Wallsten, Kira O'Reilly, Tuija Kokkonen, Laura Beloff, Jens Hauser, Monika Bakke, Jonas Jørgensen, Paavo Järvensivu, Maarja Kruusmaa, Merja Penttilä, Oron Catts and Erich Berger.

Please register here

Credits:

The HYBRID MATTERs Symposium is a collaboration between the Bioartsociety and the MA in Ecology and Contemporary Performance, Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki.

The Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki (TeaK) is a reformer of the performing arts and an attractive research unit. We offer training at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. The available degree programmes are Lighting and Sound Design, Dance, Choreography, Theatre Pedagogy, Dance Pedagogy, Acting, Directing, Dramaturgy, Ecology and Contemporary Performance, and Live Art and Performance. In addition to Acting in Finnish, we offer an Acting programme in Swedish.

Artistic and scientific committee:

Erich Berger - Bioartsociety Helsinki, Laura Beloff - IT University Copenhagen, Asa Stahl and Kristina Lindström - Malmö University, Kira O’Reilly - Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki (TeaK)