The Sporton Inaugural Lecture

Tuesday, November 1st 2011, at 7.15pm
Gregory Sporton is the new Professor of Digital Creativity at the School of Art, BIAD. As Director of the Visualisation Research Unit, he has been involved with the development of new technologies and their application in the Visual and Performing Arts for some years and has long-standing creative links with the Birmingham Conservatoire. His research interests are wide, and his views are often controversial and challenge accepted conventions.

To mark his elevation to the Professorship, Professor Sporton invites you to attend an evening lecture and performance in the Recital Hall at the Birmingham Conservatoire. The evening includes his Professorial Inaugural Lecture, ’From Things to Bits’, introduced by Fred Inglis, Emeritus Professor of Cultural Studies at the University of Warwick. Also in the programme will be a short performance of a new work ‘Never Talk to Strangers’, developed with VRU researchers and dancers from dna3d, that includes live electronics and the incorporation of body-based sound and visuals generating systems.

*The Lecture*
The lecture, ‘From Things to Bits’, will focus on the darker side of technology and what impact this has on the creative process and on artists themselves. How did digital technology become ubiquitous without us noticing? How does this change what we mean by creativity, intelligence or humanity? What are the obligations and contributions that artists can make in this environment?
Free to attend…but please book in advance if possible to avoid disappointment
Places can be secured by emailing Julia Burdett (julia.burdett@bcu.ac.uk) at the BIAD Research Office, or contacting her on 0121 331 7850.

*The Venue*
A map is located here. The Conservatoire is about 5 mins’ walk from Birmingham New Street railway station, and less from the School of Art (just walk under the Council House bridge, cross in front of the Old Central Library, go to the left of Paradise Forum Shopping Arcade and you can’t miss it).
Doors open at 6.30, when there will be a glass of wine on offer.