BIORAMA 2

BIORAMA 2 Biorama 2 took place from the 24th to the 26th of June 2009 at Huddersfield University and at the Peak Cavern, Castleton- Derbyshire. Biorama2 explore the biology of the underground through the notion of ‘umwelt’ developed by Jakob von Uexküll (1864 – 1944) and its influence on the development of biosemiotics by Thomas Sebeok (1920 – 2001) Using the underground of caves and mines and the organic life they contain as a form of parallel terrestrial biology, we develop a ‘parallel science’ through the study of extreme and/or ‘removed lifeforms’ and through the science of astrobiology. Biorama II will explore a rich contextual and conceptual background against which to investigate some of the outer (or inner) limits of terrestrial biology and strategies for life. Framing itself as a platform for exploring these and related imaginaries – via literary luminaries, various heretics and other visionaries of the underworld and the potential of life (immanent, alien, emergent and other) Biorama2 will stage a series of discussions, workshops and expeditions which will serve to examine how organisms living independently of sunlight develop a sensory and informatic relationship with their strange environments.Biorama 2 is the second event of this kind, following the first Biorama which happened on June 2007, hosted by DRU (Digital Research Unit, Huddersfield University).Biorama 2 consisted in a series of events starting with field research, workshops and seminars. It pretends to be a ocassion to explore different enviroments, taking place in unusual locations and bringing together artists, scientist and researchers of all kind during three days. The seminar was located in the Peak Caver, known as Devil's Ars, on the 25th, the speakers were: Oron Catts – artist and director of Symbiotica Agnes Meyer-Brandis – artist Ulla Taipale – curator of Capsula Paul Humphreys – microbiologist (Huddersfield University) Anthony Hall – artist Andy Gracie (hostprods)– artist and co-curator of Biorama At the end of the seminar artist Joe Gilmore realized a sound performance in the cavern. Workshops took place at the University of Huddersfield on 24th and 26th June. These workshops involved the collection of biological samples from mine and cave environments and their further investigation via microscopy and bioelectronic interfaces in the laboratory.http://bioramaevent.wordpress.com