In the current digital age, technology is an integral part of our lives. We use technological devices and interact through interfaces every day. In engineering classes, technological communication is often reduced to receiving, processing and transferring data. In real life, we may enquire what happens beyond the transmission of simple data bits. What happens for example to our human response when engaging with technology? How easily can our emotions be provoked through lifeless tech-products?
Artist Aparna Rao explores questions like these by creating high-tech art installations. She has crafted various pieces of art that can crave your attention, surprise you in wit or show a distinct sense of humour. During this event, Arpana Rao will exclusively present her work to the students of the Swiss Study Foundation, together with collaborating engineers from ETH, EPFL and HSR.
After this showcase, the main collaborating automation professor, Prof. Dr. Christian Bermes, will joins Aparna Rao together with a digital ethics expert for a panel discussion in order to address questions such as: How do artists and engineers work together? How do we succeed in conveying emotions with non-living objects? and what impact does emotionally moving technology have in our lives?
We will conclude this event with a Q&A session followed by an apéro riche where the participants will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with the guests.
Location: Kulturhaus Helferei, Kirchgasse 13, 8001 Zurich
Schedule: 18:00 – 21.00 (including Apero Riche)
Working language: English
Speakers: Pascale Speck, Students of the Swiss Study Foundation
Coordination: Dr. Lydia Tchambaz, Swiss Study Foundation
Administration: Julien Babel
Number of attendees: 25-30
Links:
TED Talk «High-Tech art with a sense of humor»:
https://www.ted.com/talks/aparna_rao_high_tech_art_with_a_sense_of_humor
TED Talk «Art that craves your attention»:
https://www.ted.com/talks/aparna_rao_art_that_craves_your_attention#t-13703
Pors & Rao Website:
PATHOS:
https://www.wysszurich.uzh.ch/projects/associate-projects/pathos
Targeted audience: All students of the Swiss Study Foundation
