The desire to transcend distance and separation has accompanied the history of media technology for many centuries. One manifestation of this desire to transcend the limitations of physical experience is the longing for immediate contact with people and audiences, across any distance or division. Today, internet-based techniques of tele-connection, live streams and various forms of realtime interfaces and networks seem to create a ubiquitous presence, which replaces the actual physical shared presence of the here and now. At the same time, this 'presence in absence' creates an invisible audience that becomes crucial to defining the success or failure of our mediated social life.
 
In addressing what constitutes liveness and presence in the digital age, this interface keynote lecture bridges the broad thematic scope of both CTM and transmediale festivals. Internationally renowned researchers explore the new social and performative qualities of internet-based real-time media and networks, and how these alter our understanding of notions such as presence, encounter and social competence. How are we to deal with the fundamental shift in human sociability caused by this new form of mediatised public life? What new rules govern our communication with an invisible audience? Is the idea of replacing physical encounters by mediated encounters merely an illusion?
 Could a new, politicised public emerge with the aid of this new (technological) spatial-temporal configuration?
 
Presented in collaboration with transmediale.
 
› Tickets › 7 € / 5 € concessions