Beyond spontaneous generation
Multiplier Event at Aalto

HYBRID LAB NETWORK the Future of Education
On the 7th of June at 17:00 Helsinki time, the Aalto multiplier event and Laser Talk “Beyond spontaneous generation” will take place, in collaboration with Aalto University, Leonardo/ISATS, and the Aalto Networking Platform.
The online presentations will start at 17:00 with a presentation of the Hybrid Lab Network results. 

You can find a time schedule, more information, and the registration link on the Aalto website:
https://www.aalto.fi/en/events/laser-talks-beyond-spontaneous-generation

In this Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous (LASER) talk organized by Aalto University in collaboration with Hybrid Lab Network, the discussants address Beyond Spontaneous Generation.

The theory of spontaneous generation understood life as emerging spontaneously from nonliving matter. The idea of spontaneous generation has been re-interpreted throughout history until later scientific discoveries have proved this theory to be wrong.

What if the evolution chain, once pictured as a line, was instead a circle, now caught at the moment when reaching its point of origin? 

With the title Beyond Spontaneous Generation, this LASER Talk presents an investigation into the concepts of evolution and life through the lens of the relationship between bioart and science: biotechnology, biorobotics, explorations and speculations around possible futures.

Presenters: Ionat Zurr, Josh Bongard and Michael Levin, 07.06.2022 17:00 – 20:30 EET. Check your timezone! The event will be moderated by Laura Beloff, Associate Professor of Visual Culture and Artistic Practices at Aalto, and doctoral candidate Aurora Del Rio.

Presentations are followed by a discussion between the speakers, and the audience (present or online) can ask questions. We invite everyone who is interested to join, share projects, discuss issues, network, and collaborate together. LASER Talks are always free and open to the public. Please note that the event will be recorded.

Offline & Online*
17:15 – 17:30 Laura Belloff, Welcome, Introduction and presentation of the Hybrid Lab Network Project and its outputs (IO1 to IO4)
17:35  – 18:25 Ionat Zurr – Semi livings in Artificial Environments
18:30 – 19:20 Josh Bongard and Michael Levin – The Innate Creativity of AI, and of Life.

*times are in EEST

Only offline
19:30 – 20:30 reception