Titled “Art/Conflict”, POM Beirut 2019 in its second edition will be hosted by the International University (IU) – Beirut campus, Lebanon, from June 11th till 14th, 2019, comprising four days of conferences with multiple tracks of paper sessions, panels, workshops, exhibitions, and keynote speakers. The tracks will be generated based on a call for topics contextualized under the wide frame of Politics of the Machines.
The goal of this edition of POM will be to tackle art practices and the relation of art to the machine. In parallel, it will also focus on understanding the influence and relation between art and conflict. POM will tend to explore the connection between the violence of conflict and violence as a process in art production; the role of conflict in the sociopolitical environment and how it relates to the field of art, science, and technology.
POM Beirut will also try for a better understanding of the engagement and responsiveness of people and organizations to conflict, exploring how art may serve as a tool for resolution and for social inclusion; or as a counter-argument, a tool for conflict and/or violence. Conflict can also be understood as a contradicting force within an artwork, artistic methods or in a subject matter, it may also push for ethical questions or reveal conflict of interests.
The conference will also encompass few more technical approaches: some tracks may focus on technology employment and conflict, be it armed conflict or conflict provoked by art, the effects of the constant monitoring, surveillance and how we dwell in the panopticon. How today’s simulations reflect what is actual and how technology, at this level creates or allows for error, failure and risk. POM will also cover the need to problematize certain aspects of teleworking, telemarketing and tele-surveillance and seek to understand the affinity of technology, violence and power relations.
The first call deadline is November 30th, 2018. It will include a call for topics, subthemes, and tracks of the conference from persons (individuals, institutions or teams). A call for expressions of interest in participation; chairing sessions, reviewing submissions, curating or volunteering their time to other conference work.
The conference committee is attentive to topics and expressions of interest that address research and ideas that are based on deep analysis / reflections/ perspectives concerning a wide range of art/conflict issues which take into consideration the general conference description and profile.
The POM – Politics of The Machines is a conference series founded by Laura Beloff and Morten Søndergaard.
POM Beirut official website pombeirut.com
POM Beirut call for participation page pombeirut.com/call-for-participation