CALL FOR PROJECTS LAB#03 "SYNTHETIC MINDS" in MADRID

We open call for projects for the LAB#03 Collaborative Prototyping Lab, an intensive two-week workshop coordinated by internationally renowned experts/artists to collectively develop projects related to the theme of Synthetic Minds.

The laboratory will take place in person at the Matadero Matadero facilities, in Madrid, between January 24 and February 10, 2024.

The projects will be developed collectively by multidisciplinary work teams selected through this call, whose stay in Madrid during the days of the laboratory will be paid for.

The promoters of the selected projects will have their expenses covered to come to Madrid for the duration of the laboratory, regardless of their place of origin.

Once selected, the projects will be made public and we will launch a second call looking for collaborators who want to join us at Medialab Matadero to help us develop them.

# Themes of the call

Distributed cognition, cybernetics, non-human intelligences, strong AI, complex systems, alien semiotics.... The Synthetic Minds Collaborative Prototyping Lab proposes to go beyond the purely technological to the very essence of what we mean by 'intelligence': how does intelligence materialize in non-human or even non-biological forms, and how do these forms challenge our perception of intelligence?

At Medialab we want to offer open research and production frameworks; specific in their themes, but broad enough to incorporate diverse perspectives and interests. We build our laboratories from the chorality of a multiplicity of voices and not from a single point of view.

For more information on the theme and conditions of participation, be sure to read the complete rules of the call. You can also take a look at the LAB Syllabus, where you will find links and reflections on how the LAB mentors approach the concept of Synthetic Minds.

# What kind of projects we are looking for

We understand the term "prototyping" from a broad point of view. We are not only talking about producing physical devices (which is also true) but also about prototyping other less tangible things, such as radical manifestos, multi-scale protocols, cultures, speculative strategies, and a long etcetera.

We are interested in all kinds of proposals -from the most technical to the most experimental- and at any stage of development -from incipient ideas to projects in their final stages of definition and testing-, that benefit from the context of collaboration and co-creation offered by Medialab.

Proposals should address the theme of Synthetic Minds and explore the deliberate composition of intelligent systems at multiple scales and conditions - from the generation of new AI tools, to the speculative design of new models of distributed governance.
 

# Who can apply

We believe that creativity and social innovation must come from the most varied and diverse corners of society.

The Collaborative Prototyping Lab is aimed at individuals and collectives from Spain and abroad from any level of degree and from diverse disciplines such as design, art, architecture, urban planning, economics, film, photography, journalism, digital media, environmental sciences, philosophy, engineering, social studies, political science, programming, materials science, activism or any other field.

Equal priority will be given to profiles without degrees or institutional affiliation that can demonstrate a high level of creativity, critical thinking and other potential.

There is no age limit for applicants. No curriculum vitae or letters of recommendation are requested.

The lab will be conducted in English and Spanish.