News

AI Art Assembly Report

Feb 2023: We are very excited to today publish the AI Art Assembly Report. The AI Art Assembly took place during the festival conference last year and explored the impact of artificial intelligence on the arts and cultural sector and identified challenges and opportunities by bringing together artists, AI researchers, cultural leaders and policy makers.

https://betafestivalaiartassemblyreport.tiiny.site

Studiotopia II: Residency announcement.

We are very excited to have two artists beginning residencies with us this year working with Professor Barry O’Sullivan. Hung Lu Chan and Cezar Mocan will be collaborating with Irish partners as part of the Studiotopia project.

Hung Lu Chan (Michael) is a Taiwanese artist and social designer based in the Netherlands. He holds a master’s degree in Social Design from Design Academy Eindhoven and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Taiwan. His creative practice lies at the intersection of interdisciplinary research, interactive installations, and participatory workshops. He is interested in exploring the diverse human imagination of the unknown, particularly looking into how humans imagine aliens throughout centuries from within. His multi-disciplinary work spans across art, neuroscience, spirituality, and AI neural networks. In his recent research project, he especially explores aliens as an internal phenomenon through a mix of guided meditation, multi-sensory neurofeedback, and embodiment. Aiming to foster more diverse and inclusive perceptions of the future, he positions his work as an imagination catalyst, re-exploring the unknown to challenge established norms and uncover humanity’s diverse imaginations. Ultimately, his work seeks to blur the borders between facts and fiction, science and fantasy, and others and selves.

Cezar Mocan is a Lisbon-based artist and computer programmer interested in the interplay between technology and the natural landscape. Using narrative generative systems—animated videos of infinite duration, real-time simulations built in game engines or other software—he creates worlds that recontextualize aspects of digital culture we take for granted, often in absurd ways, while investigating the power structures which mediate our relationship with technology. Drawing on media archaeology and art history, his research process traces the origins of our current thought patterns around (technological) progress. Some of his past works have been exhibited at Office Impart (Berlin), Onassis ONX Studio (New York), Panke Gallery (Berlin), Yale University (New Haven), Currents New Media (Santa Fe), Inter/Access (Toronto), Romanian Design Week (Bucharest) and The Wrong Biennale. His real-time simulation work, Arcadia Inc. was recognized as a 2021 winner of the Lumen Prize in Art and Technology. Cezar holds a B.S. in Computer Science (2016) from Yale University and an M.P.S. in Interactive Telecommunications (2021) from New York University, where he also served as a research resident and adjunct professor.

04.09.2024: Beta Festival and The Digital Hub are thrilled to be part of the Second Edition of the STUDIOTOPIA Residency Programme.

STUDIOTOPIA is an initiative designed to foster collaboration between the arts and sciences to promote sustainable development. This year, the programme focuses specifically on the concept of the Symbiocene, exploring the interconnectedness of life on Earth through the combined perspectives of art and science. Beta Festival and The Digital Hub will faciliate two residencies for emerging artists with an established scientist.

The STUDIOTOPIA Residency Programme aims to break down barriers between disciplines by encouraging innovative cross-disciplinary approaches. This edition is open to both emerging and established talents across the arts, sciences, and academic fields. The programme is hosted by 11 specialized organizations, each facilitating unique residency opportunities with their own open calls.

Open Call for Emerging Artists:
We invite emerging artists to apply for one of eight research-driven residencies. This programme pairs each artist with an established scientist for a year-long collaboration, focusing on local issues related to sustainable development. This residency offers a unique chance for artists to engage deeply with scientific research and explore the role of art in addressing environmental challenges.

Open Call for Young Scientists:
The fellowship programme for young scientists offers a distinctive opportunity for ten early-career scientists to collaborate with ten acclaimed contemporary artists over twelve months. This fellowship is designed to facilitate a dynamic exchange of ideas, knowledge, and methodologies, addressing a global challenge identified by the artist and the local challenge committee. Through this collaboration, young scientists will have the chance to expand their research horizons and contribute to impactful, interdisciplinary dialogue.

We look forward to receiving applications from those ready to push the boundaries of their disciplines and explore new ways of thinking and creating. Together, through the convergence of art and science, we can address the pressing issues of our time and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Join us in this exciting journey of discovery and collaboration!

Key Dates:

Open Call:
4th September – 31st October 2024, 23:59 CET
Admissibility and Eligibility Criteria Check:
1st November – 5th November 2024
Evaluation Period:
6th November – 28th November 2024
Jury Days:
15th November – 20th November 2024
Residency Period:
12 months (1st December 2024 – 31st December 2025)
Exhibitions:
5 months (September 2025 – March 2027)

Please ensure you submit your application before the deadline. We look forward to your participation in this exciting opportunity to bridge the worlds of art and science!

We will host live info sessions to provide more information about the programme, challenges, and application process:

September 18, 2024 (11.30 AM CEST)
October 9, 2024 (11.30 AM CEST)

STUDIOTOPIA Residency Programme

The STUDIOTOPIA Fellowship Programme offers 12-month residencies starting in December 2024, fostering collaboration between scientists and artists to address specific challenges. The programme includes in-person meetings, exhibitions, and events, continuing until March 2027.

For Emerging Artists
Programme Overview:

Participants: 8 emerging artists paired with 8 established scientists.
Residency Duration: December 2024 - December 2025.
Timeline:

Reflection (Dec 2024 - Feb 2025): Knowledge exchange and concept refinement.
Concept Development (Mar - May 2025): Create a detailed project proposal and mock-up.
Evaluation (Jun - Jul 2025): Assess project impact and gather feedback. Presentation of intermediary project outcomes.
Production (Aug - Dec 2025): Develop final artworks or prototypes with host support.
Exhibiting (Sep 2025 - Mar 2027): Showcase at local exhibitions and in a traveling exhibition across Europe.

Benefits:

Funding: €4,000 fee, plus a production budget that varies on the Challenge Description and art disciplines featured by the hosting institution.
Support: Coverage for travel and subsistence costs, access to a wide network, and dissemination assistance.
Opportunities: Present at major European festivals and exhibitions, such as the Ars Electronica Festival.

Expectations:

Meetings: At least six with the scientist, including one in-person.
Collaboration: Work with scientists to create an artistic output, such as an artwork or prototype.
Engagement: Participate in events and share progress through various media.

How to Apply:

Application Process for Artists: Complete the online application form before 31st October 2024, 23:59 CET. For detailed challenge descriptions and eligibility criteria, please refer to the Application Guide and the FAQ.

The STUDIOTOPIA II programme is a continuation of the successful implementation of its pilot predecessor STUDIOTOPIA I, supported by the European Commission through the Creative Europe Program.

STUDIOTOPIA II has received funding from the European Union from the European Cooperation Projects (CREA-CULT-2023-COOP-3) under grant agreement 101130939.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission (EC). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Beta Festival 2024 announcement.

Tuesday, 6 August 2024: Beta, Ireland’s art and technology festival, will return for its second year in the first two weeks of November. Co-founded and supported by The Digital Hub, Beta will host a series of events including exhibitions, keynote speakers, interactive workshops and an assembly centred on artificial intelligence in Dublin 8 and beyond.

The 2024 edition of Beta will explore critical themes around the relationship between technology and power including facial recognition technologies, the impact of AI on artists, untold histories and elevating empathy through creative technologies.

The festival’s thematic exhibition, curated by Beta co-founder and director Aisling Murray and curator and researcher Nóra O’Murchú, features international and Irish artists, whose work will explore how technology can become a tool to resist hegemonic political orders and open new avenues for resistance.

In addition to the thematic exhibition, a second exhibition – Local Artists Network - will spotlight newly commissioned work by Irish artists including Aisling Phelan and Cailean Finn, among others.

Beta will aim to evoke important discussions on topical areas at the intersection of art and technology, with Kay Watson, Head of Arts Technologies at the Serpentine Gallery in London scheduled to deliver a thought-provoking keynote speech at this year’s festival.

ADAPT Research Centre will return as the research partner for Beta with their collaborative interactive Ethics Studio curated with Paul O’Neill, a dedicated exhibit space for visitors, researchers, and artists to meet and explore our relationship with AI using creative methods and interactions.

This year, Beta will offer specific activities as part of the official Science Week programme, including a Digital Democracy Lab with KT4D (Knowledge Technologies for Democracy) developed by project partner DemSoc, as well as workshops with ADAPT Research Centre and Better Images of AI.

The Digital Hub and Aisling Murray are being supported in its preparations for Beta by Science Week, Ambassade de France en Irlande and Institut Francais, The Arts Council, British Council, ADAPT Research Centre, European Media Art Platform (EMAP), Creative Futures Academy, Project Arts Centre, Pallas Projects, NCAD Gallery and IMMA.

Studiotopia: Enter the Symbiocene with Art & Science

Beta festival & The Digital Hub are thrilled to be partners on the newest edition of Studiotopia “Enter the Symbiocene with Arts and Science”.

This edition aims to propose innovative perspectives on 21st-century challenges by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue around themes of nature, humanity, and technology.

By combining the insights of artists and scientists, Studiotopia inspires new ways of thinking and acting to tackle these challenges.

This time, 11 prominent European cultural and science organizations have united under the banner of Studiotopia. In this groundbreaking project, they explore the intersection of art and science to address pressing global issues, delving into the symbiotic relationship between these two disciplines to shed light on the pressing issues of our time.

In an era marked by unprecedented challenges, the Studiotopia initiative seeks to harness the creative synergy between artists and scientists to address one overarching theme: the Symbiocene. This concept, coined by eco-philosopher Glenn Albrecht, envisions a future where humanity lives in harmony with the Earth and all its inhabitants, fostering mutual flourishing and interconnectedness.

Through Studiotopia, artists and scientists from diverse backgrounds collaborate on projects that illuminate the complexities of the Symbiocene. From exploring biodiversity hotspots to investigating sustainable technologies, each endeavor offers a unique perspective on our relationship with the natural world.

Together, these institutions serve as catalysts for innovation and collaboration, fostering dialogue and exchange across disciplines and borders. By bringing together the best minds in art and science, Studiotopia aims to inspire new ways of thinking and acting in the face of global challenges.

Visit studiotopia.art for more information

RESIDENCY OPEN CALL: S+T+ARTS 4WaterII

The ADAPT Research Centre and Beta Festival are thrilled to announce the open call for S+T+ARTS4WaterII - a European project bringing together Science, Technology + Arts which utilises artistic residencies as catalysts for innovation addressing global challenges.

These residencies will focus on Ports in Transformation and there will be 20 residencies across Europe. We will facilitate three residencies on the island of Ireland: one in Dublin Port, one in Port of Galway and one in Belfast Harbour. Supported by each of these ports as well as the Irish Maritime Development Office, Waterways Ireland, Smart Dublin, the Digital Hub Development Agency, Galway Culture Company, Culture Works, Digital Arts Studio Belfast, Maritime Trust Belfast, Belfast City Council.

Are you an artist and passionate about sustainability? Apply now for one of our residencies and collaborate with experts to tackle water challenges through art and technology.

Deadline: June 26, 2024.

Budget: 40.000€ per residency.

This is your chance to turn ideas into impactful artworks and be part of the solution! Take advantage of this opportunity to make an impact with your ideas and work.

This residency period between September 2024 and May 2025 will be facilitated by Beta Festival, an annual art and technology event in Ireland, inaugurated in 2023 and co-founded by The Digital Hub with a five-year commitment. The host institution will be the Science Foundation Ireland ADAPT Research Centre, the festival's research partner, having previously collaborated on projects such as the Ethics Studio in the 2023 festival. The primary contacts for artists during their residency will be the Beta Festival director and ADAPT’s Education andPublic Engagement Team.

Artists are required to attend workshops, activities, and conduct field research during the residency period, with travel expenses included in their budget plans. They must produce a prototype or artwork for presentation locally in Summer 2025 as part of the S+T+ARTS4WaterII programme, and for a final presentation at Beta Festival in November 2025, showcasing all three Ireland-based residencies. The residency format will be hybrid, with in-person attendance of at least one month, can be arranged in segments, plus additional online engagement.

S+T+ARTS4WaterII builds on the success of S+T+ARTS4WaterI to tackle the environmental and societal challenges within European ports and port cities. Join us on a journey to drive innovation and promote sustainability in water management within port ecosystems.

S+T+ARTS4WaterII is initiated by the European Commission and the United Nations. The consortium uses advanced digital technologies to explore sustainable solutions in port ecosystems, leveraging lessons from the previous project. Focused on clean water as a fundamental right and aligned with UN SDGs 6 and 14, the project engages industry professionals, researchers, artists, designers, policymakers, and local communities.

The consortium partners include Gluon, VITO, Camargo Corrêa Infra, Beta Festival, ADAPT Research Centre, Drugo More, Waag Futurelab, TBA21, OGR, PiNA, and Klimat Biennale - Kunsthaus Wien.

More information here.

VOLUNTEERING

Call out for volunteers for the Beta Festival We're currently looking for volunteers to help us with the programme. You can sign up to volunteer by completing this google form

We're asking volunteers to (ideally) cover 2x 4-hour slots volunteering at the Beta exhibition from the 3rd-19th of November at the Digital Hub, and/or the Beta Conference on the 3rd-5th November in The Bank at Digital Depot. (Though we'd love to have you even if you can only do one slot!). Each volunteer will get a 20-minute break within their 4-hour shift.

Volunteers can complete this Google form to indicate when they might be free to cover some shifts, and what time of volunteer work they prefer to do. For example, if people would prefer to invigilate in the exhibition, or help out with the conference. We will not ask people to cover more than 2 shifts max but if you can indicate any shifts you are free to cover that helps us ensure we've some help throughout!

In return for contributing your time and energy volunteers will get free entry to the 1 event at the Beta conference.

We will do our best to ensure we meet people's first choices, but this will be on a first come first serve basis, or a lotto for events with very high demand. For that reason we ask you to indicate your three preferred choices in the Google form
To say thank you for volunteering- you will also receive an invite, and some drink tokens, to our very special Volunteer party on the evening of Sunday the 5th.
We also hope you'll get to see some of the new and exciting works on show at Beta!

We will provide training for all volunteers on the 26 October, between 4-7pm for 45 min virtual training session. We will confirm the exact time in the coming days.

Any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch!

All the best,

Anne & The Beta Team

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RESIDENCY

Beta festival is thrilled to have been funded by The Arts Council to facilitate a residency exchange with transmediale in Berlin.

Beta x transmediale

Announcing Selected Projects for Beta x transmediale Residency

We are pleased to announce Bassam Issa Al-Sabah, bela and Kloxii, Mac Andre Arboleda, and Nadia J. Armstrong as artists-in-residence for the Beta x transmediale Residency this fall. The residency takes place in Dublin, Berlin, and remotely during October and November 2023.

During their residency, Bassam Issa Al-Sabah will develop Uncensored Lilac – a new AI animated film. A story about revenge and desire, Uncensored Lilac questions the ways in which climate change affects and alters social and environmental relations. The film follows a group of goddesses, who may or may not be aliens, and their assembly of familiars, pets, servants, and technologies. Set in a dreamlike hallucinatory landscape that mutates between ornate embellishments and its original form, the landscape and the assembly have been invaded and altered by a toxic species, making them nurturing but venomous. Bassam Issa Al-Sabah is an interdisciplinary artist working with film, video, sculpture, and paintings, based in Belfast.

暴洪野火机构 – a fictional agency established by bela and Kloxii – creates the context for their collaborative performance. Focusing on the production and dissemination of musical scores that respond to the anxieties of climate collapse and mass disintegration, the duo explores how the news and social media cycles of crises affect our emotional and psychological responses to them. Drawing inspiration from East Asian rain rituals and the duo’s witnessing of flash floods and wildfires in their homelands of South Korea and California, they question the atmosphere of never-ending doom, deconstructing and reorganising its patterns and rhythms. bela is a musician and a performance artist based in Berlin known for electronic music performance merging pungmul – a Korean folk act rooted in agricultural traditions and linked to past social movements - and vocals inspired by extreme metal. Kloxii is a Berlin-based artist and music producer of experimental pop inspired by trip-hop and industrial beats.

ABOLISH THE SCREEN! is an artistic research project and manifesto that investigates the implications and politics surrounding the screen as a central medium for societal functions. Through a series of workshops, dialogues, and presentations, the project questions what the abolition of the screen might mean, and speculates on the new dependencies that could arise from its disappearance. Mac Andre Arboleda is an artist exploring the sickness of the internet, currently based in Berlin.

RENDER ME TENDER is an audiovisual experience that invites the public to consider the neo-primacy of the chat forum in our present understanding of communication. Rooted in cyborg feminist practices and eco-social concerns the project attempts to unbury the liveness and physical immediacy of the socio-political, and the oratory origins of the word “forum.” Through aesthetic signifiers, scripted conversations, and public interaction, automated AI characters will emerge on screens to engage spectators in rhetoric around the mutations of social interaction that the socio-technical history of the forum presents to us. Nadia J. Armstrong is a Dublin-based visual artist working with performance, 3D composition, AI, and expanded video based in Dublin.

The residents were selected by Aisling Murray, Sheena Barrett, Tomke Braun, and Nóra Ó Murchú.

The Beta x transmediale residency is a cooperation between transmediale, Berlin, and Beta festival, Dublin, and is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland International Residency Initiatives Scheme.