Looking back to look forward, this day-long event explores the patterns, tropes and pervasive elements of artists using emerging technologies, in response to the iconic 1968 exhibition Cybernetic Serendipity organised by Jasia Reichardt who will deliver a keynote lecture fifty-six years on, entitled Before and After Cybernetic Serendipity. Featuring talks, performances and readings the day unfolds in a series of propositions and panels that shift between the interrelated topics of machine creativity and AI via the realms of currency and NFTs. 

Speakers and performers include Jasia Reichardt, William Latham, Christiane Paul, Sougwen Chung, Marianna Simnett, K Allado-McDowell, Alex Estorick, Daniel Felstead, 0xSalon , Rachel O’ Dwyer, Lawrence Lek, Joey Holder, Connie Bakshi, Luba Elliott, tarotgpt.xyz and more. This event is co-curated with DAZED features editor and internet folklorist Günseli Yalcinkaya and technology researcher, curator and writer Bronac Ferran. 

Tickets are available for the full day or as half-day sessions.

Session 1

1 – 1.15pm  Introduction to Cybernetic Serendipity: Towards AI from ICA talks & research curator Susanna Davies-Crook

1.15 – 2pm  Keynote lecture by Jasia Reichardt: Before and After Cybernetic Serendipity

2.15 – 3.30pm  Machine Creativity: Bronac Ferran in conversation with William Latham, Christiane Paul and Sougwen Chung

3.45 – 4.15pm  K Allado-Mcdowell

4.15 – 4.30pm. Cybernetic Serendipity original vinyl listening session

4.30 – 4.35pm  Screening: Marianna Simnett, Blue Moon (2022)

Session 2

5 – 5.15pm  From NFTs to Digital Art: Where are we now?! Alex Estorick

5.15 – 6.15pm  In Flow ~ Digital Currents: Susanna Davies-Crook in conversation with Alex Estorick, Daniel Felstead, 0xSalon and Rachel O’ Dwyer

6.30 – 6.45pm  Lawrence Lek: SimBeijing Walkthrough is a live game playthrough of Lawrence's ongoing series of virtual worlds, featuring audio-visual extracts from his most recent trilogy set in SimBeijing smart city

6.50 – 8pm  Towards AI: Günseli Yalcinkaya in conversation with Lawrence Lek, Connie Bakshi and Luba Elliott

8 – 9pm  Closing set by HEITH 

Appearing during the breaks will be video fragments of Joey Holder's Cryptid with a soundscore by AJA. Cryptid is a creature which may or may not exist, unrecognised by mainstream science. Cryptid contains shifting, layered footage from laboratory cameras, AI generative images of deep sea creatures and mystical symbology, revealing the interdimensional zone these creatures occupy across popular culture, and their importance to all life on earth.

Additional contributions throughout the day by tarotgpt.xyz and 0xSalon.

From the Bookshop:

Cybernetic Serendipity poster (1968)  Buy
Jasia Reichardt: Cybernetic Serendipity – A Walk Around the Exhibition  Buy
Cybernetic Serendipity (Studio International, special issue reprint)  Buy