Future Art Ecosystems is a project for building 21st century cultural infrastructure to support art and advanced technologies for the public good.
In 2014, Serpentine established the Arts Technologies department to lead on commissioning and production of artworks that engage with advanced technologies. What followed was an exciting series of collaborations with artists James Bridle, Ian Cheng, Jenna Sutela, Hito Steyerl and Jakob Kudsk Steensen leading to the development of new experimental artworks that deployed a variety of technologies from AI to VR and game engines. Each piece relied on the development of bespoke hybrid teams, technological systems and legal agreements – all of which offered unique insights into these technologies, and equally made evident the operational limitations of undertaking this type of cultural production in the context of a ‘legacy’ art institution.
It was the coupling of the opportunity to shine light on the R&D potential of artistic production processes, and the challenge of imagining new infrastructures to better support the evolving art and advanced technologies ecosystem, that led to the emergence of Future Art Ecosystems. In close collaboration with Rival Strategy, we (the Arts Technologies team) launched the annual FAE strategic briefings with our first publication, Future Art Ecosystems 1: Art x Advanced Technologies in 2020. Rooted in conversations with a diverse network of participants, the briefings have become widely shared resources that inform the practices and long-term strategies of artists, institutions and the wider cultural ecosystem, highlighting the role of FAE as an ecosystem-oriented project.
Today, FAE builds on the insights gained through the strategic briefings to develop partnerships and facilitate projects that are focused on what we consider to be the key priority areas for art x advanced technologies infrastructural development. Together with a wide range of collaborators – ranging from cultural institutions, artists, producers, curators, researchers and technologists to businesses, policy makers and mission-oriented organisations – we’re committed to researching, prototyping and building 21st century cultural infrastructure to support art and advanced technologies for the public good.
Our research and partnerships span across four key areas where art x advanced technology (AxAT) practices can lead to meaningful infrastructural transformations in culture and beyond.
Advocating for independent, in-house and public-sector led production models as a key driver for AxAT practices.
Devising new benchmarks and systems for deeper and more long-term oriented collaborations between organisations across cultural, technological and civic ecosystems.
Prototyping new models to achieve generative and equitable value distribution that supports producers and their communities.
Moving beyond footfall and media visibility as the dominant metrics of success, and devising new measurement systems for communicating the value of AxAT in society.
Our research labs conduct research and prototype tools to support art and advanced technologies for the public good.
Current: Tamar Clarke-Brown, Tommie Introna, Victoria Ivanova, Eva Jäger, Lina Martin-Chan, Vi Trinh, Ruth Waters and Kay Watson. It is initiated by and situated within the Arts Technologies department at Serpentine, London, UK.
Past: Ben Vickers, Sophie Netchaef, Alexander Boyes.
You can explore our Twitch archive, or tune in live for special events. To get more involved, join our Telegram community, sign up to our monthly newsletter and take part in our quarterly Zoom call. For partnerships and other inquiries, please email us.
Your are about to leave futureartecosystems.org
Do you want to open a new tab?
Coming Soon!