With over 75% of the UK population owning a mobile phone‚ women are a crucial sector of the mobile market. However‚ most technology is developed by men‚ so is the feminine perspective being taken into account?
This free public debate at the Science Museum’s Dana Centre - the UK’s only venue for adults to discuss contemporary science - looks at the feminine in technology and asks: where is mobile technology taking us in the 21st century?
Led by Lev Manovich‚ one of today’s most influential thinkers in the fields of media arts and digital culture‚ this event will consider the future of technology through the lens of the feminine‚ at Venus Rising on Tuesday 20 September at the Dana Centre in South Kensington.
Questions raised will include: How can mobile technology help to shape the future in positive ways‚ not just for play and leisure but for social and economic growth‚ particularly in the developing world? How can we ensure the feminine perspective is taking into account when‚ currently‚ most technology is developed by men? Would mobile technology be different if it was shaped from a truly feminine perspective?
VENUS RISING is an initiative by Cybersalon which aims to bring these issues to the public agenda‚ through debate‚ research‚ artist residencies‚ creative labs and other collaboration. Its Campaign Group comprises 12 female practitioners working in with new technology in science‚ art and design.
Venus Rising: Mobile Technology·
Date: Tuesday 20 September‚ 19.00-22.00 (doors open at 17.00 for food and drink)·
Venue: The Science Museum’s Dana Centre‚ 165 Queens Gate‚ London‚ SW7 5HE ·
Nearest tube: Gloucester Road. ·
Tickets are FREE but must be pre-booked on: 020 7942 4040 or tickets@danacentre.org.uk· www.danacentre.org.uk ·
The Dana Centre is for over 18s only
Lev Manovich will look at where mobile technologies are taking society from the feminine perspective and Dr Lizbeth Goodman‚ Director SMARTLab‚ Central St Martins will chair the event.
“Feminine and masculine qualities exist in both females and males‚” said Monica Biagioli‚ Venus Rising. “Technology favours masculine qualities. In our work‚ we are investigating what the feminine is‚ its current impact‚ and its potential to drive technology forward.
“Venus Rising aims to raise issues around access‚ participation‚ usage and future innovation. Our core aim is to advocate and explore women’s contribution to technology within a feminine paradigm. Men are not excluded from the dialogue – they are actively encouraged to take part.“
This event is hosted by the Science Museum’s Dana Centre and funded by The Arts Council of England and the Science Museum.
Further information‚ interviews and images are available from Lauren Gildersleve:
Science Museum Press Office‚ 020 7942 4328; 07989 979864; lauren.gildersleve@nmsi.ac.uk
Notes to Editors
1. The Dana Centre is a collaboration between the Science Museum‚ the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) and The European Dana Alliance for the Brain (EDAB) making it unrivalled in its expertise and depth of knowledge of scientific and technological fields. The Centre is housed in the Wellcome Wolfson Building alongside the headquarters of the BA‚ EDAB and Science Museum offices.
2. The £9.8 million building has been provided by four major benefactors – the Wellcome Trust‚ the Wolfson Foundation‚ The Dana Foundation and the Garfield Weston Foundation.
3. The Science Museum exists to promote the public understanding of the history and contemporary practice of science‚ medicine‚ technology and industry. It aims to inspire‚ educate and involve visitors. It achieves this by building‚ researching and caring for the national collections; and by interpreting these collections and engaging the public in the contemporary issues they raise.
4. The BA is the UK's nationwide‚ open membership organisation dedicated to connecting science with people‚ so that science and its applications become accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness about science in society and to engage and inspire people directly with science and technology and their implications.
5. The goal of EDAB is to inform the general public and decision makers about the importance of brain research. EDAB aims to advance knowledge about the personal and public benefits of neuroscience and to disseminate information on the brain‚ in health and disease‚ in an accessible and relevant way.
6. Nearest tube: Gloucester Road. There is no parking at the Dana Centre (except for disabled drivers). Residents’ parking restrictions apply until 10:00pm.
