Technology, science and society collide at In The Ether, an annual ArtScience Museum festival that presents thought-provoking concepts through installations, art, talks and more. This year, the festival explores “sanctuary technologies”, which is described as ideas, practices and experiments that can work alongside humans to make our everyday lives easier and better. Think of these computers as your friend, not the enemy – they’re here to share knowledge and help us thrive.
Among the highlights is Mimus, a curious and playful giant robot arm. Created by roboticist-artist Dr Madeline Gannon and her research studio ATONATON, the android is made of heavy-duty factory machinery that’s been transformed into an interactive system that responds to movement and presence. So, although Mimus can’t actually “see” you, she knows you’re there. And if she likes you, she might even take a closer look.
The programme also includes a series of hands-on workshops. Learn how to make your own microchip, create a small digital archive, and discover the inner workings of contemporary artificial intelligence. Workshops are free, but require registration – sign up here.
