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From research into our relationship with microbiology in her Normal Flora project, to her role as the ‘self-organising’ artist in residence in the Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics at Sussex University, Anna Dumitriu’s work looks at the very nature of Life. What is the relationship between microbiology and artificial life? Is life something that can be abstracted from organic processes? And how can these abstract concepts be made physical and tangible for us? To respond to these questions Anna has curated a full day Digiville Event.

Speakers (from 7pm):

Anna Dumitriu will introduce the event and talk about the decisions she made in selecting the artworks, speakers and related events.
Simon Park will be discussing his recent research into bacteria and digital art. Simon is a lecturer in the School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at the University of Surrey and teaches bacteriology and molecular biology. As an internationally recognised bacteriologist and he has published over 50 papers in international refereed journals, books and other periodicals.
Milton Mermikides (Royal Academy of Music) - A musician/composer who has created music derived from physical processes in the human body includingthe tracing of the coronal suture, blood cell production, bacterial growth & MRI imaging. Milton is Professor of Music Technology and Composition, and Director and Designer of the award-winning Creative Technology Lab, at the Royal Academy of Music. His compositions have been performed internationally and he has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Brian Eno, John Williams & Tod Machover. www.miltonmermikides.com
Blay Whitby (University of Sussex) – A technology ethicist, philosopher and author. Blay will consider the implications of artists working with forms of life as seen in this Digiville event.


Image Credit: Microcosmos courtesy of Steve Downer and Simon Park

Artworks Featured:

Microcosmos by Milton Mermikides, Simon Park, Steve Downer and Pattie Hendrie.
Bacteria, nature’s smallest independent life forms, often invoke fear or revulsion, but never awe. Microcosmos is an audio/video installation that uses the latest developments in video and audio technology to provide a breathtaking glimpse into the hidden yet stunning world of bacteria.
chromos and SAND LINES by Paul Brown
Since 1974 Paul Brown’s main tool in his artwork has been the computational and generative process. He has established a significant international reputation in this field of work and was recently described by Mitchell Whitelaw as... one of the ... pioneers of a-life art (Metacreation - Art and Artificial Life, MIT Press, 2004). Paul’s work is based in a field of computational science called Cellular Automata or CA’s. www.paul-brown.com
Normal Flora by Anna Dumitriu
The Normal Flora Project is a major investigation of the microbial life that we co-exist with. Anna works with installation, performance, digital technology and traditional craft based techniques. Anna is also director of the Institute of Unnecessary Research, which considers the role of art in science and research.
www.normalflora.co.uk www.unnecessaryresearch.org
TURBULENCE by Jon McCormack
TURBULENCE is a menagerie of synthesised forms, evolved within the computer using a process of artificial selection. A video laserdisc contains over 30 minutes of computer generated animation. Animated sequences on the disc are accessed via a touch-screen interface. The interactive is a collection of poems, ideas, information and imagery relating to the philosophical impact of evolution on contemporary thought. www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jonmc/


Image Credit: International Airport Montello by eteam

International Airport Montello by eteam
eteam’s members are Franziska Lamprecht and Hajoe Moderegger. Since 2002, most of their projects are based on random pieces of land they buy on eBay. Once they have located their lots, they activate the possibilities that are inherent in the site and turn them into temporary realities. This often happens in collaboration with people who live or work in the respective area. www.internationalairportmontello.com
Visible Human Bodies by Peta Clancy
Peta Clancy is based in Melbourne, Australia. She has held solo exhibitions at Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney; Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, United Kingdom; and RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) Project Space, Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces and Centre for Contemporary Photography, Melbourne. Peta Clancy is represented by thirtysevenº Contemporary Fine Art Gallery in Sydney, Australia. Artist's website: www.petaclancy.com
Micro-Biomes by boredomresearch
boredomresearch are interested in creating landscape environments online that develop overtime, where users can explore and manipulate these environments, creating an individual experience which is both contemplative and rewarding. www.boredomresearch.net

10am-4pm Workshop: A one-day Physical Computing Workshop with Tom Keene using Arduino Boards. Arduino is an affordable computing platform, which is particularly useful for artists, and designers who want to build physical interactive projects. Tom Keene is founder of The Anthill Social. Tom is an open-source programmer, artist and designer for web, networks and physical computing platforms. This workshop is now full.

For more information www.unnecessaryresearch.org

Digiville is funded by Arts Council England, South East, Brighton & Hove City Council and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.




Digiville is our monthly event for digital and moving image artists. Each event incorporates a diverse cross-section of the digital arts community, from installation artists to animators and VJs, and involves an initial presentation of work, either by individual artists or artist groups, followed by a Q&A/discussion session. The artists invited to present their work or perform are a careful mix of well-known names and less established artists.

Watch this space for news of our next Digiville event or contact us to join our mailing list and receive regular updates.