On the 11th of June the festive launch of the new book Art Against the Machine: Untrapping Life from Profit-Driven Tech Dependency by Monique Peperkamp will take place at SPUI25 in Amsterdam. This afternoon will center on the question of how art and theory can help us break free from our profit-driven technological dependency, particularly in light of the current ecological crisis.

The program will kick off with a lecture by author and cultural researcher Monique Peperkamp on the central thesis of her book. This will be followed by a panel discussion and a Q&A with the audience. Led by moderator Marjanne van Helvert (designer and writer), the panel will debate how a structural critique of technology can contribute to social contestation, critical inquiry, and social and ecological regeneration. The panel features Miriam Meissner (Maastricht University / Royal College of Art), Jeff Diamanti (UvA / VU), and Sruti Bala (University of Amsterdam).

Art Against the Machine examines how concepts like cyborgs and network economies have blurred the line between nature and technology. Looking at artworks by artists such as Melanie Bonajo and Regina José Galindo, the book demonstrates that art which detangles humans and nature from the machine is vital to how we shape the future in the present.

You are invited to attend this afternoon at SPUI25 or to follow the event via the live stream. When you are present at the bookpresentation you can purchase the book there with 20% discount!

Practical information
Date and time: 11th of June, 17:00 h.

Location: SPUI25, Spui 25, Amsterdam (and online via livestream)

Admission: Free, registration is required [via this link to SPUI25].