2009 Plutopia: Living Systems 9th Annual EFF-Austin SXSWi Event
March 16th, 2009 – 6pm till Midnight Palmer Events Center, Austin, Texas
Plutopia: Living Systems
An extravaganza of music, performances, ar t, and talks based upon “Living Systems Theory”
What was once the (maybe not so) mild-mannered SXSW Interactive EFF-Austin Official After-Party has morphed into a multifaceted The event underscores the extravaganza called "Plutopia", an exciting convergence of technology, Integrated and Interconnected DIY, music, art, and academics. In addition to standard party fare, nature of all Living Systems performance and the arts will play a major role alongside exhibits and from Biological and Cybernetic talks in presenting the ideas in a way that will make this yet another Organisms to Socio-cultural memorable, stimulating, and fun SXSW after event. Networks and International Organizations. We seek to explore: Way beyond the run-of-the-mill "booze and schmooze" after-party mixer, Plutopia is an ever evolving multimedia experiment of Austin- The Biological Substrata of tatious proportions dedicated to a playful, Technology yet masterful cross-pollination across Human Machine Interfaces Biological and Self- verticals to bring you an immersive Perpetuating Living Art interactive experience event. Viewer Interactive Experiences This year's Plutopian offering is themed Reproduction and Recycling Holism and Emergence "Living Systems." Using convergence and Convergence and sustainability as its substrate, the event Divergence will explore diverse aspects and perspectives of living systems, their Interdisciplinary Analysis Biological Metaphors for structure, interaction, behavior, and development, considered from Technological Innovations the point of view of space, time, matter, information, energy, and From Fiber to Cyber entropy, and will embrace topics ranging from self-organizing systems, Complexity and future social and local networks, human and technology fusion and Reductionism augmentation, cultural and communal integration and much more. Plutopia: Living Systems
Who are the Plutopians? Born out of the art/futurism collective, Futurama, founded by futurist and author, Derek Woodgate and cultural and web strategist and social commentator, Jon Lebkowsky, Plutopia is a collection of artists, musicians, activists, writers and futurists in Austin, Texas, all aspiring to create multiple future worldviews that will enhance our planet. In addition to Derek and Jon, the leading Communities and the Durable Future Plutopians are Maggie Duval, David considered the power of the sustainable Demaris, Bon Davis, and Shanta Stevens economy; a multimedia display titled whose first event at the 2007 Maker Faire “Sustainable Visions” by Green Glover; titled the “DIY Home of the Future” was a convergence in the form of Heather Gold’s great success that worked well as a “Live Human Search Engine”; AI from the representation of the convergent future, Austin Robot Group, and immersive illustrating DIY examples of future immersive, technologies integrated with Brian Park’s responsive and reconfigurable homes, all famous ‘Flogiston Chair” from the movie the born out of one’s future ability to extend the Lawnmower Man. “Self” and our personal potential.
While these themes were succinctly On the back of this success the Plutopia presented through the above-mentioned collective created a multifaceted exhibits, talks, and visualizations, they were extravaganza during SXSW, supplemented augmented through theater in the form of The by panels at SXSWi itself. This event focused Lance Van de Kamp Show, art from Austin again on convergence, together with Green Art, and music from multimedia sustainability, arts and culture, and other composers, Carl Stone and David Demaris, critical emerging issues. NobodobodoN, and Omega Monster Patrol
as well as a concert by British future Subsequently, voted the most exciting event transhumanist band, Intimate Stranger, who of the SXSWi 2008 program by the Austin added this show to their SXSW presence. Chronicle, the Plutopia event featured a talk
by noted author, educator, activist, and
environmentalist Bill McKibben whose recent 2 book Deep Economy: The Wealth of Plutopia: Living Systems What to expect in 2009?
This year we have assembled a master- The Heather Gold Show is class of amazing performers, artists, back again. Her show speakers and showstoppers. While it is is a live and online important that the event experience that comprehensively focuses on the “Living brings together Systems” theme, it should be diverse passionate people and you to remembered that it is also time to party talk about questions after a day of high-powered panels at you care about. SXSWi or SXSW Film, or just a tiring day at the “office”. Heather is a geek comedian who likes truth, people and making Topping the music bill is Ian McLagan & connections. She does this on stage, page and the Bump Band - a genuine dyed-in-the- screen and interactively when she can. wool rock‟n‟roller and former member of the legendary Small Faces and the Faces. World-renowned science fiction author, Bruce Sterling, best known for his novels and his seminal work on the Mirrorshades anthology, which helped define the cyberpunk genre, will be showcased.
Sandy Stone from ActLab at UT-Austin, back from the Fourth International He has toured and recorded with: The Workshop on Technologies Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, of the Body, will perform on the frontier of Bruce Springsteen, Taj Mahal, John cyborg, gender, and cultural studies, feminist Hiatt, David Lindley, Paul Westerberg, theory, and media production. Billy Bragg and Patty Griffin, to name some but hardly all of the notables that McLagan has worked with over his four- plus decade career.
Interactive bio-art, affective interfaces, new modes for human-machine communication, and augmented reality.
Plutopia 2009 brings together multiple artists and performers from the above-mentioned fields, not least the work of globally-recognized award-winning Golan Levin, who as Associate Professor of Electronic Time-Based Art, creates installations that use augmented-reality technologies to create multi- person, real-time visualizations of their participants‟ speech and gestures. His work also centers on interactive robotics, machine vision, and the theme of gaze as a primary new mode for human- machine communication. Adam Zaretsky’s Electronic Mutagenesis uses installations and art to describe recent advances in transgenics and offer a commentary on the future uses of this technology. Then there is Plutopia‟s very own Aethyrflux and his alternate reality gaming, interactive gallery, improvisational montage, culture jamming etc.
There will also be systems theory related projects such as Laura Lea Nalle’ s “Greenhouse” that help us better understand our human relationship with nature, and more excitement from Scott Blake’s interactive „barcode” art. 3
Plutopia: Living Systems “ I am beginning to see my What to expect in 2009? (cont.) future as a bio-cybernetic narrative that explores Two of the key aspects of Plutopia 2009 involve the convergence of sustainability with interactive aspects of my creativity and technologies and environmental interfaces. artistry through a redesigned
A number of this year‟s participants cover such themes such cognitive lens that expands my as Christian Kerrigan and his 200 Year Continuum Project. vision towards future This project explores the possibilities of a symbiotic relationship between two different systems of organization, possibilities that define my technology and nature. Christian, an architect & Editor of The Space Between magazine, investigates in his recent purpose as a living entity.” work how man‟s ability to control his surroundings is intimately linked with his advancing capabilities of using - Derek Woodgate in Future Flow technology, where we are now capable of creating design criteria to manipulate natural growth and development. Two of the most important and inspirational Ocean Conservancy promotes healthy and diverse ocean participants are Stanza from London and the Black ecosystems and opposes practices that threaten ocean life Pig Liberation Front from Boston. and human life. Ocean Conservancy believes it‟s time to understand that going green starts with living blue. It‟s time Stanza creates to start a sea change. coded abstract interactive Living systems considered from a different angle involves paintings, generative the work of Jonathan Cohen with his section on Corporate artworks, mashups, Social Responsibility & Living Systems and Joe Davis- and even DNA based Fleming whose work deals with socio-economic installations. He is determinants that influence healthcare disparities probably best known between multi-racial/ethnic communities, both for his long-term Emergent City project, which uses domestically and globally, as well as possible models for sensor networks to create knowledge and interfaces remedying the resulting inequities that exist in healthcare about urban living. Recent exhibitions include in delivery systems. Venice Beinnale, Tate Britain, Sao Paulo Biennale Brasil, Immedia USA, and Museo Tamayo Arte There will be art exhibitions relating the “Living Systems” Contemporaneo in Mexico, The Digital Hub Dublin. theme with exhibits from as far afield as Bangkok through the work of Sarawut Chutiwongpeti with his visions of The Black Pig Liberation Front is a killer ritualistic Dystopia and Utopia. Sarawut is interested in finding out terror and love ensemble complete with grunt 'n' how contemporary art can enhance the distribution of groove DJs led by Denis Mahoney. They have worked information and foster a profound universality in the human with Sonic Youth, J Mascis, DJ Spooky, Mike Watt, nature and cross-cultural artistic and critical collaboration. Blag Flag and many leading lights from the New York scene. Their performance here will use scenes from Josip Beuys and the idea of art as a living system itself while reviewing the situationist history of psycho-geography.
In addition, there will be everything from fashion shows using non-traditional materials, robotic fortune telling, immersive musical instruments, an interactive Steampunk couch, robot paintings, Aztec Temples, sound sculptures and DJs such as the infamous David Demaris as Dr Strangevibe, Thomas Fang’s Furby Youth Choir and much more.
4 Plutopia: Living Systems Images from Plutopia 2008 When, who and where? Plutopia is an Official SXSW Interactive After-Event and is in part sponsored by SXSW. It takes place on Monday March 16th, 2009, 6 pm till midnight, right in the middle of the SXSW program of film, interactive and music. It will be cross-promoted by SXSW and all SXSW participants will receive an invite.
In addition, Plutopia will have a large number of entrepreneurs, members of the international art and culture communities, the international tech community, key local dignitaries, and guests of performers and sponsors. We expect an audience of between 3000 and 3500.
As such, the event will be held in the large auditorium and adjacent facilities at the Palmer Event Center, a premier part of Austin‟s newly designed cultural park located at 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704.
We will have multiple stages, exhibition spaces, interactive displays, booths, etc.
Concessions and drinks will be available.
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Plutopia: Living Systems 9th Annual EFF-Austin SXSWi Event Plutopia 2009 offers multiple opportunities for sponsorship at a number of different levels. The sponsorship funds cover the costs of the venue, food, drinks, production, performers, artists, staging and all amenities. The event is free to all invitees. Sponsors already This is a great marketing opportunity for SXSW after-party sponsors who signed up: are looking for an innovative alternative to the standard cocktail mixer. It will be an immersive, experiential creative jam unlike any other offsite SXSWi event!
- Position your company as leading edge - Link your company to some amazing celebrities - Demonstrate you as a forward-looking organization aware of issues - Link your company to community, given the substantial local buy-in and benefit through collaboration with Urban Roots and others - Provide substantial pre-event promotion in SXSW materials, press, and on-line through related blogs and sites, etc. - Provide access to an extensive network of Plutopians which means extensive marketing reach for your company -Attract major press coverage - local, regional and international
CUSTOM SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE: Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.
The Plutopia marketing and promotions team will work closely with the sponsor to maximize benefits and to customize the sponsor’s visibility and hospitality arrangements. There is potential for sponsor promotional displays.
Sponsorship Opportunities
$5,000 – “Platinum Sponsorship”
$2,500 – “Gold Sponsorship”
$1,000 – “Silver Sponsor”
$ 500 – “Friend of Plutopia!”
Plutopia: Living Systems 9th Annual EFF-Austin SXSWi Event
Sponsorship Opportunities (cont.)
$5,000 – “Platinum Sponsorship”
Main sponsor: “Your Company Name presents Plutopia 2009: Living Systems - The 9th Annual EFF-Austin SXSW Interactive Tech Gathering of the Tribes″
. Lead banner over main stage . Thanks and intro during opening remarks . Chance to speak briefly during opening remarks (3 minutes) . Logo/name on all promotional material and press, including invites, ads, and posters with top-level placement . 728 x 90 non-rotating leader board banner ad on Plutopia.org main page . Short description of your business and link on our website with top placement . Logo on rotating slide projection at event . Share a Guinness with music legend Ian McLagan (6 guests) . Limited edition event poster print signed by artist and Austin legend Guy Juke . 20 complimentary tickets to event . 10 x 10 booth at event (your team - number of staff negotiable - provides your setup) . VIP meet-up area for sponsor‟s guests
$2,500 - “Gold Sponsorship”
. Banner over second stage . Thanks and intro during opening remarks . Chance to speak briefly during opening remarks (2 minutes) . Logo/name on all promotional material and press, including invites, ads, and posters with 2nd tier placement . 728 x 90 non-rotating leader board banner ad on Plutopia.org schedule of events page . Short description of your business and link on our website with 2nd tier placement . Logo on rotating slide projection at event . Share a Guinness with music legend Ian McLagan (4 guests) . Limited edition event poster print signed by artist and Austin legend Guy Juke . 10 complimentary tickets to event . 10 x 10 booth at event (your team - number of staff negotiable - provides your setup) . Meet-up area for sponsor‟s guests
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Plutopia: Living Systems 9th Annual EFF-Austin SXSWi Event
Sponsorship Opportunities (cont.)
$1,000 – “Silver Sponsor”
. Banner over 3rd stage . Thanks and intro during opening remarks . Logo/name on all promotional material and press, including invites, ads, and posters with 3rd tier placement . 728 x 90 non-rotating leader board banner ad on Plutopia.org sponsors page . Short description of your business and link on our website with 3rd tier placement . Logo on rotating slide projection at event . Limited edition event poster print signed by artist and Austin legend Guy Juke . 6 complimentary tickets to event . 10 x 10 booth at event (your team provides your setup) . Meet-up area for sponsor‟s guests
$500 – “Friend of Plutopia!”
. Mention during opening remarks . Logo on all promotional material and press, including invites, ads, and posters . 250 x 250 rectangular banner ad on Plutopia.org main page as part of rotating display of sponsor banners . Short description of your business and link on our website . Logo on rotating slide projection at event . 3 complimentary tickets to event . 10 x 10 booth at event (your team provides your setup)
For further information,please contact Marsha Lebkowsky [email protected] 512 779-3518
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