Art meets innovation: Uncharted Territory launches on 7 July
Found In Translation
Ever wondered if sex robots could be allowed to vote? Considered the role of street art in environmental communication? Or had a startup idea and wanted to know more about organisations and people in Canberra’s innovation ecosystem?
Uncharted Territory is Canberra’s newest festival event. It is a collaboration between local innovators, creatives, businesses and community organisations. Starting this Friday and running from 7 to 16 July, it is a deliberate mid-winter event that aims to challenge and educate while highlighting our innovation sector. And that includes many aspects of AI and innovation you may not have considered.
An ambitious and innovative pilot program
“The festival leans into Canberra’s identify as a place and a population — it’s a knowledge capital”
‘It’s mad,’ said Winter Innovation Festival Director Yolande Norris as she talked about her workload as she prepared to release the Uncharted Territory into the wild. I’ve caught her at a busy time, and looking at the festival program, I can see why.
‘The festival leans into Canberra’s identify as a place and a population — it’s a knowledge capital,’ said Norris. ‘It’s a highly creative city.’ Uncharted Territory thus presents uniquely Canberra experienced and is underpinned by a vision for audiences to experience, discover and connect with something different. According to Norris, the festival will focus on two pillars – arts and innovation – and speak to what Canberra does well.
Creative and curious
Uncharted Territory is a partnership with Canberra’s innovation, tertiary and cultural sectors to present a multifaceted festival program that encourages artists and innovators to explore new forms of expression, new ways of doing things, to challenge themselves, embrace risk and push the boundaries of what is possible.
“Canberra has incredible innovation networks and communities – it’s massively energising”
If you’re confused about what this means and how innovation could be the subject of a festival, well, the very concept is innovative. It’s a pilot festival that really taps into the vibe of Canberra as a creative and innovation capital.
Norris’s imaginative approach to Uncharted Territory highlights the complementarities between the arts sector and innovation. She’s new to innovation but not creativity. Norris has spent over twenty years working on various arts fields in the ACT, including producing festivals such as Girls Rock! Canberra and the You Are Here festival.
‘I need to get curious and engage with other sectors,’ she said of her desire to fuse innovation with creativity and education. ‘Innovation has so many overlays, and it’s not well understood. Canberra has incredible innovation networks and communities – it’s massively energising. I’m really attracted to ideas; in a way, that’s all about innovation.
What you can expect from the festival
Norris hopes participants will find a way to expand their interests, get new ideas, develop new contacts, and be re-inspired. The festival provides an opportunity to become aware of what others are doing, hopefully feeding over into more creativity. ‘It’s about connection, inspiration, motivation and seeding new ideas and collaborations that will push people forward,’ she said.
The program is diverse, encompassing a range of introductory and more professional sessions. ‘You could, for example, know nothing about blockchain and not know whether it’s possible or not to use as an individual,’ she said.
“In winter, Canberrans need to be brave just to leave the house!”
‘You can lean into the festival as an opportunity to use it as a taster, suitable for if you have always wondered about certain things but have never jumped into learn yet. Most of the events are free. It’s okay if you are a newcomer, and it’s a great way to catch up with new ideas.’
Norris said she wants to encourage people to be a little brave. ‘In winter, Canberrans need to be brave just to leave the house!’ she laughed. The festival is designed to refresh and invigorate, kind of like the winter solstice swim in Lake Burley Griffith but less of a plunge.
Editor’s pick
With over 50 events in ten days, there are a lot of interesting events to choose from. It’s hard to pick favourites, yet this is exactly what I will do.
Lucie in the Sky. This performance by Australasian Dance Collective is a ground-breaking production that merges the beauty of dance with the cutting-edge technology of drones.
14 and 15 July
The Playhouse
Canberra TheatreWill Sex Robots Get The Vote? Setting the Robotic Record Straight. This panel discussion, moderated by Canberra Breakfast host Adam Shirley and including panellists with robotic, AI and legal credentials, centres around our relationship with technology. As most conversations around robotics are coloured by emotion, can we balance this with fact-driven rationality and reassurance?
Friday, 7 July 6.30pm to 8.00pm
Cinema, Kambri Cultural Centre
Australian National UniversityBlock Unlock: Unleashing Blockchain Knowledge. Held over two days. Block Unlock is a premier conference that deciphers the potential of blockchain technology and its impact on the digital landscape.
Friday, 14 July and Saturday 15 July
Cinema and T2
Kambri Cultural Center
Australian National UniversityEntering Ouroboros. Ouroboros is a new public sculpture commissioned from artist Lindy Lee to celebrate the National Gallery of Australia’s 40th anniversary. The symbolising of a snake biting its tail embodies cycles of birth, death and renewal. This event is a panel discussion that examines the innovation behind the new commission.
Sunday, 16 July
2.00 – 3.00pm
National Gallery of AustraliaCanberra Innovation Network Open Day. Visit the Canberra Innovation Network, meet some local entrepreneurs and see the coworking space.
Tuesday, 11 July 10am and 1pm
Level 5, 1 Moore St
CanberraA Conversation with a Robot. Interact with Pepper, the world’s most advised AI retail robot.
7 to 16 July
Foyer, Kambri Cultural Centre
University of Canberra
With so many interesting events to choose from, which ones will be your favourites?
