Transmutation, Vitalism and Agency - a lecture by Adam W. Brown, Associate Professor, Electronic Art and Intermedia, Department of Art, Art History and Design, Michigan State University.
The historical, philosophical and scientific debate about how life began has ensued for centuries. Further, the dualistic argument between vitalism and deterministic materialism view of the origins of life have shaped our thinking throughout the centuries resulting in the creation of artificial distinctions between ideas such as organic and inorganic, alive and dead, and human and nonhuman. Examining this debate through the agency of matter itself is one of the major themes of Adam Brown's artwork and research.
Adam Brown will illustrate his lecture with images of his latest works as a conceptual artist working with art and science hybrids including living and biological systems, robotics and molecular chemistry.
This lecture is part of the BioHack Academy #1: Bio Factory. The lecture is open to all public and admission is free.
About Adam W. Brown
Adam Brown (US) is a conceptual artist whose work incorporates art and science hybrids including living and biological systems, robotics, molecular chemistry and emerging technologies. His art takes the form of installations, interactive objects, video, performance and photography. Brown’s creative research is informed by a background in Intermedia, an approach aiming at breaking down disciplinary boundaries and combining disparate fields of knowledge. Adam Brown is an Associate Professor in Electronic Art and Intermedia at the Department of Art, Art History and Design at Michigan State University.
(Image shows Great Work of the Metal Lover (SEM), Adam W. Brown, in collaboration with Kazem Kashefi, 2011)
