FoAM is an association of artists, technologists and researchers, exploring novel modes and resources for cultural expression. FoAM aims to become a global network of artists and scientists (and their organizations) sharing ideas, skills, knowledge and resources. FoAM is process oriented, meaning that rather than developing yet another series of over-designed, unnecessary 'cultural' artefacts, our objective is to consciously deploy technology for the wellbeing of a prospective society.

Philosophy
New, provoking forms of experiencing culture need distinct organisational structures, resources and methods. FoAM, an inculbator for new models of cultural production, is determined to search for appropriate models to support the open and interactive nature of contemporary artistic expression. Current social and technological changes demand a shift of artists' role in the world, making them more choreographers of cultural processes, rather than creators of 'original' cultural artefacts. All parties involved in this process affect its development, and stipulate their own knowledge with the interests of others.

Art of the future is growing out of the theatres and galleries. Artworks are not static objects that the audience has to admire from a distance, but continuously transforming responsive realities. The development of art became an act of balancing between creation, technological innovation and compromise. Levels of influence on art by technologists, scientists and users are increasing, as artists continually negotiate their ideas and skills outside traditional artistic circles. At the present moment, the boundaries between these disciplines still exist, but are questioned and often crossed. FoAM is developing projects that inspire the fusion of separate paradigms, that should result in a better understanding and appreciation of each other's work.
FoAM's objective is to explore the space in between the boundaries, creating new hybrid disciplines and works.


"Grow your own worlds"


Following this creed and its evolving philosophy:

FoAM = re-definition of:

- art as an ongoing participatory process
- authors and audience as equal partners
- inspiration as research into the aesthetics of 'the potential'
- aesthetic experience based on interaction and unpredictability
- creativity as the outcome of the collision of disciplines
- actualizing collective imagination.

FOAM = encouragement of :

- construction of responsive (aesthetic) environments on local and global scales
- participation of non-artistic disciplines in cultural production
- continuous discussion about the meaning and role of culture in everyday life
- fusion of virtual and physical worlds
- creation of hybrid realities that employ the advantages of science and technology for the benefit of future communities

FoAM Activities


1. Macro Culture

Reality:
What meaning will the word reality have in the future? Are 'physical' realms more real than 'digital' ones? How do we integrate these two realities into a new, hybrid one? Do we simulate the physical in the virtual (and vice versa) or do we search for 'real' digital worlds that can evolve on their own terms? Can artificial realities grow, evolve and decay? These questions about the reality in which our everyday lives are embedded, spread across several research fields, including hybrid architecture, generative systems, natural interfaces, tangible media, world-creating tools etc.


2. Meta Culture

Consciousness:
How do mutations in reality around us affect changes in our beliefs and knowledge systems? Topics such as collective consciousness, consilience of knowledge, alchemy, mysticism, (cultural) nomadism, integration of science and technology, communication systems, future ideologies and epistemologies are building blocks for the field of 'Meta Culture'.


3. Multi Culture

Community:
How are new public spheres, communities and places formed and constructed? What are community values in networked societies? How will we organise future societies? What is the nature of shared experience, when collaborations and interactions become increasingly distributed across networks? What is the goal and course of action of distributed democracy and 'electronic civil disturbance'? Politics, sociology, urbanism, systems design, linguistics and anthropology (among others) will be the main focuses of this field.


4. Micro Culture

Substance:
What will be the building blocks of biological life in the future? What new sensations can we feel and how do we perceive new dimensions of realities around us? How do we survive and reproduce? Where are our bodies situated and what is their function? How do we, as particles in a 'cultural universe', relate to the world? Topics such as bio-technology, artificial life, biomimetics, wearable and bio-computing and multisensory communication will be discussed within this field.


5. Zero Culture

Life:
Lived experience is the most important asset of existence, yet one that is too often left unlived while we are busy rushing to the future. Slow down, start from scratch. Forget cultural and historical biases. Search for new imaginaries. Grow your own worlds. Incite new perspectives, ideas and approaches for meaningful experiences in our lives.



Contact: maja@f0.am