Monday, April 30th, 2012
"For heaven's sake - why can't we just get along?"
Robots Part Two is on the way.
The show is currently being put together by freelance science journalist Carl Smith (TWITTER @carlelliott).
It will air on Radio National on Sunday 13th May and be available online at the same time.
It’s about the physical and psychological dimensions of robot/human interaction and it follows on from our hugely popular first program - from Robots, humans and the future which aired in early February this year.
Monday, February 28th, 2011
This Thursday (3rd March) we bring you part two of our look at the predictive power of science fiction.
Among our guests – Mike Jones, a lecturer in Screen Studies at AFTRS, the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.
Thursday, February 24th, 2011
AWFULLY WONDERFUL: SCIENCE FICTION IN CONTEMPORARY ART
CURATED BY BEC DEAN AND LIZZIE MULLER
Awfully Wonderful: Science Fiction in Contemporary Art explores a spectrum of seductive, terrifying and fantastic potential futures, The exhibition presents new and existing work by eleven Australian artists including time machines, hand made robots, meteorological instruments, interplanetary communication, mars gravity simulation, wearable technologies and apocalyptic visions.
Science Fiction is a potent cultural expression of the impact of science and technology on society. In visual art, as in film and literature, artists use the mode of science fiction to open up imaginary worlds and alternative spaces where different social, political and personal possibilities can be explored. In these imaginary worlds, real scientific discoveries, tools and technologies are combined with speculative and fantastical future possibilities.
Awfully Wonderful draws from the curatorial inheritance of the Wonder Chamber, an encyclopedic collection of types of objects whose categorical boundaries were yet to be defined. It brings together the work of artists working across photomedia, installation, performance, sound, video, design and painting. It explores how these different expressions, objects and ephemera can also function as experimental and philosophical conduits, through which truth and fiction mingle, creating powerful new ways of understanding our present and preparing for our future.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Awfully Wonderful includes a diverse public program with films by artists including Melbourne-based Philip Brophy’s Northern Void (2007), as well as the most recently discovered and restored version of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927) introduced by archivist and historian Michael Organ. The program also includes opportunities for discussion and discourse, with artist and curator tours of the exhibition and a RealTime Forum. The exhibition is supported by interpretive material by scientists and children produced in partnership with the Royal Institution of Australia.
Adam Norton’s Mars Gravity Simulation experiment will take place live on opening night and every Saturday from 10am-2pm for the duration of the exhibition. Hayden Fowler’s installation will be inhabited at various unscheduled times during opening hours.
Awfully Wonderful is accompanied by a full colour catalogue including essays on the role of art in the way society debates and adapts to scientific discoveries and unstable futures (available for $10 from Performance Space), and a free downloadable Education Pack for senior students.
Artists: Philip Brophy, Eugene Carchesio, Haines + Hinterding, Deborah Kelly, David Lawrey & Jaki Middleton, Ms & Mr, Hayden Fowler, Ian Haig, Adam Norton, Sam Smith and Simon Yates.
Exhibition
April 15 – May 14
Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm
FREE
Opening
Thursday 14 April, 6pm – 8pm
A full listing of the Awfully Wonderful public program can be found on www.performancespace.com.au
Friday, February 11th, 2011
National Geographic look at the predictions of Jules Verne - 8 ones he got right and they provide pictures!
My favourite is the “Earth Chronicle”.
Cheers
Antony
Thursday, February 3rd, 2011
Annalee Newitz’s blog i09 interveiwed six scientists about science fiction. read the article here.
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
Was there a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on the Starship Enterprise?
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
Interesting blog post by James Wharris on Auxiliary Memory re Science, Science Fiction and Scientists.
Sunday, January 30th, 2011
AUDIO GRABS
Mike Stutchbery talks about ’District 9′ and social justice.
(Wikipedia entry for District 9)
John Kent on Spock and Chess.
Friday, January 28th, 2011
‘Space or science fiction has become a dialect for our time’
Doris Lessing
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
AUDIO GRABS
Liam McNicholas argues we shouldn’t underestimate the influence of ‘the Dr’ on science.
Peter Anderson – Don’t Panic!
(Wikipedia entry for Don’t Panic)
