Interactive Futures (IF) 2011 presents the theme Animal Influence spotlighting nationally and internationally recognized media artists’ work influenced by the growing wealth of knowledge on animal behavior, cognition, creativity and consciousness. Research from such fields as biology, psychology, cognitive science, zoology and philosophy focusing on new understandings of animal life are helping to shift assumed conventions concerning animal cognition, consciousness, and agency. Our particular interest is in how investigations in animal-human relations are affecting the ways in which new media artists are considering broader understandings of other species and creating varying methodologies for experimental art and new media appropriate for these unique circumstances.

IF’11: Animal Influence offers a workshop in which media artists, scientists, critics and philosophers will discuss and debate these emerging ideas as well as offering exhibitions, performances, screenings and an international publication with the journal Antennae: Journal of Nature in Visual Culture. Audiences of all kinds, policy-makers, business leaders, community leaders, educators, and members of the media, as well as academics and artists in various fields and interested members of the public are invited to attend.

November 17-19, 2011
Intersections Digital Studios