::fibreculture:: Cybernetic garments conference call

[Andrew Hutchison]

Call for Participation 

'Cybernetic Garments' at The Space Between  textiles_art_design_fashion
conference
15 - 17 April 2004
Perth, Western Australia
www.thespacebetween.org.au

the space between conference and associated events will centre on the new
creative and theoretical potentialities that have emerged from the blurring
of the boundaries between art, fashion, textiles and other creative/design
disciplines. It will provide an international forum for the presentation of
new ideas, current research and an in-depth exchange of ideas and
experiences. 

One particular focus of the conference will be the potential and
consequences of the uptake of 'new' technologies and techniques (bio, nano,
digital, other) in the creation of 'cybernetic garments', utilising
re-oriented notions of 'garment', 'technology' and 'cybernetic'.

Thus, clothing reclaims it's status as a 'technology' extending the function
of the skin, a highly sensitive, visually conspicuous protective surface of
the body, variable in colour and texture, defining the physical difference
between the single human and the rest of the world, mediating the exchange
of both physical matter and information. 

In this context, a 'garment' is anything worn close to the body, and so
includes sunglasses, jewellery, hair pieces and cosmetics. The comparatively
recent, but now ubiquitous digital devices - mobile phones, cameras,
identity/credit cards, make explicit the cybernetic relation between humans
and garments, since they are 'active' and of a 'new' technology.

Proposals are invited for papers, panels, presentations and displayable
artefacts/artworks that explore the impact of new technology and techniques
in the design of active 'cybernetic' garments.


Specific topics might be, but are not limited to:

Actual garments, prototypes, design concepts, materials, processes, possible
applications in fashion/everyday wear, performance art, sport,
industrial/safety, entertainment and other areas, including wearable and
pervasive technology, smart clothes and textiles.

The application of garment and fashion design into virtual environments such
as games and on-line communities.

The consequences of possible cybernetic garments on individual identity and
society.

The history of cybernetic garments and technology in garment, fashion and
textiles design.

The moral and ethical implications of new technological processes for
garment design, especially bio-technology.

The fetishisation of new technology and 'the cybernetic' for its own sake.

The practical limitations/pitfalls of technology, compared to popular
expectations.


For further information specific to the Cybernetic Garments focus, contact
Andrew Hutchison, 
 a.hutchison at curtin.edu.au

Deadline for Submission of Abstracts and Proposals: 30 September 2003.
Notification of acceptance: 15 November 2003
Publication date for abstracts and proposals: 1 February 2004
Final date for submission of full papers and visual documentation: 16
February 2004

Due to the nature of interdisciplinary practice, research is not always best
presented in the traditional academic format. We invite interested
participants to present their current research, relevant to the conference
topics by:
Formal paper - submission to include an abstract of approximately 300 words.
or
Performance/Presentation of a small body of work, representing current
research - submission to include a proposal of approximately 300 words
giving a brief description of work to be presented and appropriate visual
material (eg: 4-6 slide transparencies or equivalent) illustrating your
work.  Please include details of technical requirements for the presentation
format eg: computers, projectors, software, lighting, wall space, floor
space and any other needs.
Abstracts and proposals submitted will be refereed by a panel of
international subject experts.

For further information, newsletter subscription, registration, keynote
speaker details, visit the conference website:

www.thespacebetween.org.au

This significant event has been convened by the Textile Exchange Project in
partnership with Curtin University of Technology.  

Conference convenors:  Moira Doropoulos and Anne Farren.