Presentation by Lawrence Lek (UK)
Moderation by Yuriko Furuhata – McGill University (JP/QC)
Presented in collaboration with McGill University, along with the support of the William Dawson Scholar of Cinema and Media History at McGill University
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 — Les Studios des 7 Doigts
Using examples from his CGI films, open-world simulations, and soundtracks, Lawrence Lek discuss his use of fictional artists and artificial protagonists. These worlds are populated with dreamers and creators – autonomous satellites, digital sculptors, entertainment corporations – all searching for self-realisation as they grapple with the conditions of their existence. His recent projects have revolved around his 2016 video essay Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD), a universe where characters, corporations, and cultures are entangled with the emergence of artificial intelligence and the geopolitics of East Asia. In AIDOL (2019), a fading superstar enlists the help of an AI songwriter to help her make a comeback at the 2065 eSports Olympics. This human-machine collaboration contrasts with the conflict in the film's prequel, Geomancer (2017), where pro-human 'Bio-Supremacist' activists enact Anti-AI Laws in response to the rise of artificial artists.
Connecting Lek’s work to current debates in media studies such as aesthetics and geopolitics of climatic media and future forecasting, Yuriko Furuhata discuss these themes with him further.
![MUTEK IMG 5 Lawrence Lek 900x670](https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/mutekuploads/20606/MUTEK_IMG-5_Lawrence-Lek-_900x670_19cbcb83302c9dd231cd25deef1a8de9.jpg 400w, https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/mutekuploads/20606/MUTEK_IMG-5_Lawrence-Lek-_900x670_7350811535506e53205eccab6b37ab86.jpg 600w, https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/mutekuploads/20606/MUTEK_IMG-5_Lawrence-Lek-_900x670_10c6a9142cb90521115bc21436f8c167.jpg 800w, https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/mutekuploads/20606/MUTEK_IMG-5_Lawrence-Lek-_900x670_16dcac5f8aed496835fdf9362e4d4f57.jpg 1000w, https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/mutekuploads/20606/MUTEK_IMG-5_Lawrence-Lek-_900x670_155f821559f89ee1fb37c54556d22dfe.jpg 1600w)
MUTEK MX Edition 20: First Confirmations + Passports y Nocturne 360 Passes
![Mutek Header 04](https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/medias_mutek_org/mexicoCity/Mutek-Header-04_586ba57ad2a08c5eae21bf35aad53d56.jpg 400w, https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/medias_mutek_org/mexicoCity/Mutek-Header-04_a2c87f14cb3c400fc2f67749242a7926.jpg 600w)
MUTEK MX Guide to Mexico City
![3 V6 A4427](https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/medias_mutek_org/mexicoCity/3V6A4427_586ba57ad2a08c5eae21bf35aad53d56.jpg 400w, https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/medias_mutek_org/mexicoCity/3V6A4427_a2c87f14cb3c400fc2f67749242a7926.jpg 600w)
MUTEK gathers all festival stakeholders for Future Festivals Summit
![De Mars FF Summit HEADER 1 V1 2 WEB](https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/medias_mutek_org/montreal/de-Mars_FF-Summit_HEADER-1_V1-2-WEB_586ba57ad2a08c5eae21bf35aad53d56.png 400w, https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/medias_mutek_org/montreal/de-Mars_FF-Summit_HEADER-1_V1-2-WEB_a2c87f14cb3c400fc2f67749242a7926.png 600w)
90 international speakers and over 60 activities with a focus on crafting human-centered technological futures
![Forum annonce2 banner](https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/medias_mutek_org/montreal/Forum_annonce2_banner_586ba57ad2a08c5eae21bf35aad53d56.png 400w, https://medias.mutek.org/transforms/medias_mutek_org/montreal/Forum_annonce2_banner_a2c87f14cb3c400fc2f67749242a7926.png 600w)