LASER Talks in Tempe: Mapping Futures: Sculpting Narratives of Culture, Ecology, and Digital Aesthetics

Join us for a stimulating panel discussion with multidisciplinary artists and researchers as they delve into the transformative power of art, the impact of technology on human-wildlife coexistence, and the critical dialogues surrounding colonial histories and contemporary climate crises.

Moderated by: Jenny Strickland

EVENT INFO

When: Wednesday, May 8 / 11:00 am PST(UTC-7) , Find your timezone here

Where: Online, registration via ZOOM

Join us for this engaging and thought-provoking panel LASER that brings together visionary artists and researchers from diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds. 

Dr. Sean Connelly, a Pacific Islander American artist based in Honolulu, explores the multifaceted interplay between sculpture, installation, film, design, and cartography, delving into themes of cultural, ecological, and land justice. 

Dr. Alinta Krauth, a techno-artist and digital literature researcher, focuses on interactive art and digital aesthetics to create rewarding sensory experiences for historically-Othered audiences, including domestic dogs and flying foxes in rehabilitation care. Her work is deeply rooted in personal connections to the environment and animals, shaped by experiences like the devastating bushfires in Australia and subsequent wildlife rescue efforts.

Santiago Reyes Villaveces, an artist from Bogotá, Colombia, investigates historical knowledge systems and contemporary manifestations of power structures through drawings, installations, and moving images. Influenced by Latin American science fiction and colonial history, his work addresses themes of politics, technology, ecology, and social justice, reflecting on issues such as space exploration, extractivism, and the survival of life forms.

Together, these artists and researchers will explore the transformative power of art in addressing pressing global challenges, from climate crisis and human-wildlife coexistence to colonization and the reimagining of historical and contemporary knowledge systems. The panel will delve into innovative approaches to art and technology, advocating for change, resilience, and the enrichment of diverse communities and ecosystems. 

SPONSORS: Leonardo-ASU, Center for Science and the Imagination

The Leonardo/ISAST LASERs are a program of international gatherings that bring artists, scientists, humanists and technologists together for informal presentations, performances and conversations with the wider public. The mission of the LASERs is to encourage contribution to the cultural environment of a region by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and opportunities for community building to over 58 cities around the world.