Unnecessary Research, What’s the Point?
Symposium:
- ISEA2011: 17th International Symposium on Electronic Art
- More presentations from ISEA2011:
Session Title:
- The Institute of Unnecessary Research
Presentation Title:
- Unnecessary Research, What’s the Point?
Presenter(s):
Venue(s):
Abstract:
Panel: The Institute of Unnecessary Research
This paper describes the Institute of Unnecessary Research (IUR) from its inception in 2005. The IUR is an international group of artists, scientists and philosophers obsessively involved in their own curiosity driven research working both (insidiously) within and outside of academia. The structure of the IUR is based on a typical academic model, with various ‘department heads’ responsible for their own specific areas of research. Appointment to the IUR is apparently open but highly nepotistic (based on the academic model). The researchers investigate science and technology from a wholly artistic paradigm, making wide and varied connections, but working solidly within their fields in such a way that their research could be of equal interest to the scientific community as to the artistic one. The research is widely disseminated via performance events and exhibitions within the community in a non-elitist way, with a view that anyone can understand anything, if it is explained in a way that promotes understanding. Audience interaction is also keyand often visitors to events participate ‘hands on’ in the experiments/performances.