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Conversations With AI :: Reading Group Led by Danny Pagarani



Tuesday, November 17  •  7 PM - 8:30 PM


Overview


Human, machine, nature: a reading group on accelerationism, techno-mysticism and the strange fate of freedom in a cybernetic world.

Part of our ACE supported Conversations with AI programme, this series of informal reading group sessions, will be open to all levels of experience, and explore the various ways in which computational media and AI’s are reshaping and impacting our modes of practice. Each session will respond to specific themes emerging from the exhibitions and their links to the overarching theme of the programme. Welcoming artists, audiences, researchers, and curious newcomers, each session will focus on several short selected texts which we will read together and then, through collective conversation, examine how artificial intelligence is shaping culture, creativity, work, and everyday life.

This third reading group will take place on 17th November 7pm - 8.30pm. With texts by Peter Wolfendale, Peter Thiel, Amy Ireland & Maya B. Kronic, Anthropic/Rubin/Laozi this reading group will discuss the place of the human, tech, and nature in a cybernetic society. Left, Right and Cute accelerationism will be complimented by the techno-Dudeist philosophy of Rick Rubin, published by Anthropic as The Way of Code.

Where Wolfendale takes inspiration from Kant & Hegel’s claim that our freedom makes humanity unique in nature (for now), Thiel seeks freedom from humanity. Kronic/Ireland think thinking about this whole human/tech/nature/freedom nexus is cute but (à la Nick Land) there is no freedom nor exit from the process, so surrender and give in.

The reading group will be led by Danny Pagarani, an artist and musician working with contemporary industrial materials across various approaches to image making, sculpture & sound. He makes work in dialogue with a few interrelated ideas; our relationship to technology; the development of modernity; science; magic; and religion. Danny graduated from the Slade, Fine Art Media MFA, in 2024 & Glasgow School of Art in 2018. Recent projects include Unstable Nature, Chilli Gallery; XP10 & Gradient Descent, Gossamer Fog, Platform, Edinburgh Art Festival.

Big things coming :: Reading Group with dmstfctn



Tuesday, July 7  •  7 PM - 8:30 PM


Overview

In conjunction with dmstfctn's Big things coming, Chemist will host a reading group focused on the text 'A Theory of Vibe' by Peli Grietzer

Part of our ACE supported Conversations with AI programme, this series of informal reading group sessions, will be open to all levels of experience, and explore the various ways in which computational media and AI’s are reshaping and impacting our modes of practice. Each session will respond to specific themes emerging from the exhibitions and their links to the overarching theme of the programme. Welcoming artists, audiences, researchers, and curious newcomers, each session will focus on several short selected texts which we will read together and then, through collective conversation, examine how artificial intelligence is shaping culture, creativity, work, and everyday life.

This second reading group will take place on 7 July 7pm - 8.30pm. Centered around Big things coming by dmstfctn, which explores AI's calculated language as resembling, but fundamentally different to that of humans. The session will be facilitated by dmstfctn, Rebecca Edwards & Ariel Caine. We will read excerpts from Peli Grietzer: A Theory of Vibe.

Not Hollows:: Reading Group with Joe Moss


Tuesday, June 16  •  7 AM - 8:30 PM



Overview

In conjunction with Joe Moss's Not Hollows, Chemist will host a reading group focused on the droning of experience and gothic materialism

Part of our ACE supported Conversations with AI programme, this series of informal reading group sessions, will be open to all levels of experience, and explore the various ways in which computational media and AI’s are reshaping and impacting our modes of practice. Each session will respond to specific themes emerging from the exhibitions and their links to the overarching theme of the programme. Welcoming artists, audiences, researchers, and curious newcomers, each session will focus on several short selected texts which we will read together and then, through collective conversation, examine how artificial intelligence is shaping culture, creativity, work, and everyday life.

Designed as a space for shared learning and exchange, the reading group offers an opportunity to engage more deeply with each exhibition and event on a range of contemporary topics of debate.

The first reading group will take place on 16th June 7pm - 8.30pm. Centered around Not Hollows by Joe Moss and facilitated by Joe, Rebecca Edwards, Kineret Lourie & Ariel Caine we will read two texts excerpts:

Mark Fisher: Flatline Constructs: Gothic Materialism and Cybernetic Theory-Fiction

Mark Andrejevic: FCJ–187 The Droning of Experience

The event is free but places are limited, please use Eventbrite to register. We will share the specific excerpts beforehand with the registered participants.