18th Athens Digital Arts Festival - FutuRetro

FutuRetro

Futurology as a science, is a branch of social studies, parallel to the field of History. Is postulating the probable, possible, and preferable scenarios and the worldviews for the future, also taking under consideration the beliefs and myths which imply them.

A precious instrument for this field has proven the art-genre of Science Fiction, from which one can easily ascertain that what begins as fictional, especially when it comes to a “technological marvel”, can indeed become a reality in the future. Aeroplanes, Spaceships, Robots, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Biotechnology, the Anthropocene era, are some of the ideas and notions that have materialized through science and technology after originally being fictitious mentions in fantasy futures or alternative realities of this art genre. Criticizing the route of contemporary and future society, Science Fiction and Futurology are often taking the form of contestation, while exploring the possible ramifications of innovation, in society, science and technology. With this quality they are capturing the “cultural wallpaper” and warn about its probable evolution.

“And because today’s real life so resembles day-before-yesterday’s fantasy, the old-time fans are restless. Deep within, whether they admit it or not, is a feeling of disappointment and even outrage that the outer world has invaded their private domain. They feel the loss of a ‘sense of wonder’ because what was once truly confined to ‘wonder’ has now become prosaic and mundane.”

– Isaac Asimov

Next to futurology comes the aesthetic movement of retrofuturism. Frequently emanating from dissatisfaction towards the present, retrofuturism is attempting a depiction of the future, as dreamed on at an earlier age, offering skepticism and implying the reevaluation of technological means. It explores the relationship of the past and the future, and in extension the impact of technology which appears sometimes alienating and sometimes empowering, through a nostalgic contrast. If futurism is characterized by the feverish anticipation of what will come, retrofuturism is the reminder of this anticipation.

“Take hold of the future or the future will take hold of you.”

- Patrick Dixon

The international Festival of Digital Arts in Greece, Athens Digital Arts Festival has chosen the theme FutuRetro, with a retrospective mood for its coming of age 18th edition ADAF 2022. Taking on the occasion of the contemporary discomfort and scepticism over the present time, especially after the pandemic and economic crisis, the climate change e.t.c. The festival is turning towards science fiction and retrofuturism -as part of futurology- to see the technological milestones of today both through the eyes of the past, and as foreshadowing for the future. What was the past speculating about the technology of the present? How is retro technology being reused today in the section of art-technology and science? Will the contemporary cutting edge technology e.g. NFTs, AI, Contemporary Robotics, Biotechnology e.t.c be considered the retro of tomorrow? Are the current tech speculations such as superintelligence, 3D bioprinting, mind uploading, singularity, transhumanism e.t.c. the actual future? What will that mean for humankind?

We call for artists, scientists, intellectuals, technologist and every other creator to submit their applications to the respective categories, Installations, Video Art, Performances, Web Art, Animation, Digital Image, VR/AR, Games, Talks, Workshops, Music, Kids (which contains all of the above addressed to children) till the 1st of March. All applications will be considered for assemblage of the 18th edition, physical and online, which will take place in spring and fall 2022 respectively. The shortlisted artists will be notified via email for the status of their application and details regarding the possible presentation of their work in any or both of the festival versions.

“Join us, in seeing the future through the eyes of the past and the past through the eyes of the future…”

#ADAF2022 #ADAF22 #TheNewRetro #Futuretro #Futurology #Sci-Fi #Retrofuturism

25 – 29 May 2022

Kotzia Square, Athens City Center

Βuilding complex of notoshome

The Athens Digital Arts Festival (ADAF) presents FutuRetro, a celebratory 18^th edition and a five-day gathering in the heart of Athens at the historical landmark of Kotzia Square.

From the 25^th – 29^th of May, the building complex of notoshome and Kotzia Square will be revived to host an innovative exciting program with works from 12 categories: Video Art, Animation, Interactive Installations, Virtual and Augmented reality (VR/AR), Games, Digital Image, Web Art, Live Performances, Workshops, Talks and ADAF KIDS, a mini digital arts festival dedicated to children. This year ADAF is especially excited to present a curated program for the ADAF MUSIC category.

The theme, FutuRetro, focuses on science fiction, retrofuturism and futurology and aims to present the technological milestones of today through the eyes of the past and as a foreshadowing means for the future. Marking its third year as a Hybrid Festival, the online edition of the festival, ADAF ONLINE, will be launched in the fall of 2022 as an extension to the physical edition and in an effort to make the festival and its works accessible to a truly limitless, global audience.

With the selection process in its final stage, ADAF’s international open call has yet again received an overwhelming number of submissions, 5,700 works from artists, scientists, intellectuals, and technologists from around the world. Parallel to the open call, the Festival continues to expand its network by cultivating bridges with local and international festivals, universities and institutions to exchange knowledge, art and to showcase global trends in digital arts.

A few words about the location

The Athens Digital Arts Festival traditionally takes place during spring in the Historic Center of Athens, each time activating and reinventing city landmarks and spaces, engaging the local community and creating new paths where one can explore and experience the city in a new and unique way. This year, ADAF selects the city landmark of Kotzia Square and the notoshome building complex to host its exciting program.

The main exhibition will take place in an impressive building complex, of over 12,000 m2 on Kotzia Square, where notoshome department store was housed from 2003 until its relocation in 2018 in the notos beauty & fashion department store (6^th & 7^th floor, Stadiou & Aiolou Str). To celebrate the 18^th Athens Digital Arts Festival and as an invitation to its customers and pedestrians, the notos department store will feature an impressive interactive installation in one of its windows.

In the meantime, we invite you to visit our last edition Tāctus, with an exciting 3D Virtual Tour to see the artworks showcased at the 17^th Athens Digital Arts Festival which took place at the Museum of Modern Culture.

More information on the program of the 18^th Athens Digital Arts Festival will be announced shortly on 2022.adaf.gr. Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook for daily updates and sign up for our newsletter for year-round news on ADAF.

#ADAF2022 #ADAFgreece #TheNewRetro #Futuretro #Futurology #Sci-Fi #Retrofuturism

Τhe 18^th Athens Digital Arts Festival is co-financed by the Hellenic Republic and the European Union through the Regional Operational Program “Attica” in the framework of NSRF 2014-2020, performs under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sport, the Region of Attica and the City of Athens.