Art in the Age of the Metaverse , De Balie, Amsterdam, 10 – 12 March 2023 Speakers include Ian Cheng, Micaela Mantegna, Trevor McFedries, Morehshin Allahyari a.o. Organised by Hartwig Art Foundation and the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten in collaboration with De Balie, conducted by Memory Gems. www.ageofmetaverse.art Artwork K é vin Bray, graphic design Clara Lezla Art in the Age of the Metaverse is a conference that aims to explore and critically reflect on the role of art in the time of the metaverse, as a new cultural and social context, and shape its future direction more ethically and collaboratively. The metaverse is a shared space at the nexus of the virtual and the physical that is gaining increased attention as a space for artistic production and experiences. Confirmed speakers include Morehshin Allahyari, Black Swan, Ian Cheng, Barbara Cueto, Ali Eslami, The Hmm, Keiken, Trevor McFedries, Micaela Mantegna, Moving Castle (Arthur Roeing Baer+GVN), Marina Otero Verzier, Chao Tayiana, Shuruq Tramontini and Veronica So . Further confirmed participants will be continuously added to the website Art in the Age of the Metaverse brings together artists, curators, activists and industry professionals from around the world who are working at the intersection of the metaverse and contemporary art. Through talks, discussions, and presentations, the participants will share their insights and explore key questions such as: What are the forms of artistic expression at the nexus of physical and virtual? How do these artists engage with the ethical, social, and environmental implications? How do artists impact what the metaverse is and can become facing big tech? And what role do we, as participants, play in shaping its future direction? The main goal of Art in the Age of the Metaverse is to promote a more equitable and engaged vision for the metaverse. This includes considering issues such as decentralisation and inclusivity addressing the environmental impact of the infrastructure required to support the metaverse as well as promoting sustainability and responsibility in its development and use. In addition to these broader themes, the conference will showcase the work of individual artists and collectives who are using the metaverse as a medium for artistic expression. Through their practices, these artists are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the metaverse and challenging traditional notions of space, time, and identity. We hope that Art in the Age of the Metaverse will provide a space and opportunity for thought - provoking discussions a nd exchanges. Tickets are on sale now – join us for this exciting event and important conversations live in Amsterdam or via our Discord server and livest ream online! The multi - year research project Art in the Age of the Metaverse is a collaboration between the Hartwig Art Foundation and the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten , conducted by Memory Gems . The international c onference is organised together with De Balie. Day Programme Day 1 (Friday March 10) - Workshops by Black Swan, The Hmm, Shuruq Tramontini & Veronica So at Rijksakademie - Opening of the presentation of works by various artists working with metaverse technologies and themes at De Balie - Dutch premiere of Ian Cheng’s latest film work Life After BOB: The Chalice Study at De Balie Day 2 (Saturday March 11) - Conference at De Balie with Morehshin Allahyari, Ian Cheng, Barbara Cueto, Ali Eslami, Micaela Mantegna, Keiken, Trevor McFedries, Moving Castle (Arthur Roeing Baer+GVN), Chao Tayiana, and more participants to be announced Day 3 (Sunday March 12) - Presentation of works by various artists working with metaverse technologies and themes at De Balie Consult www.ageartofmetaverse.art and join our community on Discord for the latest news & updates. For press requests please contact: Rhiannon Pickles at Pickles PR rhiannon@picklespr.com | +31 (0)615 821202 Editors’ Notes The Hartwig Art Foundation is active in fostering and facilitating the production, presentation, communication and preservation of contemporary art for society at large in an effort to support the cultural ecosystem in the Netherlands and abroad. Art here includes all media of the visual arts, time - based arts and future art forms in the broadest sense that are related to the continued development of artistic expression and medi a. The production, presentation, mediation and preservation of art aims, in particular, at the sustainable promotion of a cultural environment for society as a whole, both in terms of infrastructures and people. The Hartwig Art Foundation is working toward s the establishment of a new museum for contemporary art in Amsterdam. www.hartwigartfoundation.nl The Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten in Amsterdam has been invested i n artistic development and forward - thinking art for more than 150 years. Departing from the vision that artists play an essential role in an open and innovative society, the Rijksakademie creates the conditions for artists to thrive, and to keep reimaginin g the transformative power of art. Its residency programme houses an artist community that is highly international, multi - disciplinary, experimental and critically engaged. Up to 50 artists are open to challenging themselves, and to working alongside posit ions that are vastly different from their own. Spending up to two years in residence, they enter into an open - ended process where they can deepen their practices, and explore new territories, in and beyond the art field. www.rijksakademie.nl Memory Gems (Leonardo Dellanoce and Arthur Steiner) explores art and culture at the nexus of the virtual and the physical through advice, strategy and curation. Memory Gems offers support to understand emerging technologies and how they can help cultural institutions achieve their vision. This is done by creating a mixed reality strategy to meaningfully engage communities between the digital and the physical. Memory Gems, als o developed a new generation of digital souvenirs only available at unique physical locations and which adds social value to your space and community. www.memorygems.art