Day One of Convergence Sessions revolves around ideas for change and their future impact.

Take part in the discussion with experts including the ‘Willy Wonka of design and science’, Nelly Ben Hayoun; politically charged tech writer and artist, James Bridle; founder of Carroll / Fletcher, one of London’s most forward-thinking art galleries, Jonathan Carroll; curator of Sonar+D and FutureEverything festivals, Jose Luis de Vicente; and many more.

In a special evening sessions, Warp Records opens the floor to iconoclastic artists and musicians such as Warren Ellis, Mark Leckey, Ash Sarkar, as the role and relevance of subcultures in the tech age is debated.

Agenda

10:00 - 10:40

Registration and Introduction

Collect your ticket, grab a coffee, say hello and take your seat as we give you a lowdown on what to expect at Convergence Sessions.

10:40 - 12:00

Horizons: for those with tomorrow on their radar

How can we work together to ensure that ideas today become impactful tomorrow?

Three leaders in innovation, art, technology and design share their personal experiences of conceiving and implementing ideas for change.

Featuring:
10:40 - 11:15: Talk / Alexandros Tsolakis (Creative Director, Another Space)
11:15 - 11:35: Talk / Julie Freeman (Artist)
11:35 - 12:00: Talk / Ghislaine Boddington (Creative Director, body>data>space)

12:35 - 15:30

Disruptions: a healthy dose of rule-breaking and trouble-making
Fed up of following the rules? Meet the people defying convention to seek out new ways of seeing, studying and shaping the world, whether through their art, business, music or message.

Featuring:
12:35 - 13:05: Talk / Jonathon Carroll (Founding Director, Carroll / Fletcher Gallery)
13:05 - 13:40: Talk / James Bridle (Artist, Writer)
13:40 - 14:30 Panel / Hack the Senses: New Frontiers of Sensory Tech
Liviu Babitz (Co-Founder and CEO, CyborgNest)
Grace Boyle (Creative Director, The Feelies)
Sean Rogg (Artistic Director, The Waldorf Project)
Francesca Perona (Transdisciplinary Designer)
Imre Bard (Founder, Hack the Senses)
14:30 - 14:45: Talk / Katja Lucker (Managing Director, Musicboard Berlin)
14:45 - 15:30: Talk / Nelly Ben Hayoun (Designer of Experiences at the SETI Institute)

15:40 - 17:15

British Council Presents... Meeting of Minds 2017

In what exciting directions are art and technology headed and how can we make sure they get there? How do we ensure that art remains vibrant, provocative and diverse in a digital age?

Watch, listen and contribute to this roundtable discussion as experts debate the future of creative technology, its global potential, and the challenges of working across disciplines and boundaries.

Featuring:
Siddharth Khajuria (Senior Producer, the Barbican Centre)
Jose Luis de Vicente (Curator, Sonar + D)
Pierre-Marie Oullion (Artistic Director, Nuits Sonores)
Irini Papadimitriou (Digital Programmes Manager, the V&A)
Katja Lucker (Managing Director, Musicboard Berlin)
Alain Thibault (Artistic Director, ELEKTRA)
Julie Freeman (Artist)

15:40 - 16:30: Panel / British Council presents Meeting of Minds

16:30 - 17:15: Panel / British Council presents Meeting of Minds

18:15 - 21:30

Subversions: searching for new movements, moments and cultures

Which of today’s burgeoning sub-cultures will be the new norm of tomorrow? For Friday’s evening session, after grabbing a drink at the bar, get involved in discussions and demonstrations of some of the most exciting products of culture today.

18:15 - 18:45: Talk / Robin McNicholas (Marshmallow Laser Feast)
18:45 - 20:00: Panel / Warp Records presents... Echo Mobs: is there a future for sub-cultures?
Mark Leckey (Artist)
Warren Ellis (Author for comics, novels and television)
GAIKA (Artist)
Mat Dryhurst (Artist)
Ash Sarkar (Senior Editor, Novara Media)
20:00 - 20:30: Performance / ABIDE by Holly Blakey + Darkstar + Gwilym Gold
in association with Box Artist Management
20:30 - 21:30: Live Music / Mr. Mitch