ATOPIA: A Persistent And Autonomous Presence Within The Network

From science fiction to philosophy, the virtual, networked spaces created via our rapidly evolving information technology have generated much theoretical and artistic discussion. The confrontation that occurs between the diverging viewpoints more often than not reveals a longstanding and problematic tension between the two attitudes. As it were, while the 20th century’s anti-utopian science fiction makes us wary of the chimera of transparency and immediacy (seen through Big Brother or other technological disciplinary devices with aims of social control), the most contemporary avant-garde art celebrates the new possibilities of freedom and creation made possible with these innovations.

The (art) collective Human Atopic Space, founded in 2008, places its virtual realities at the center of a multi-disciplinary contemplation drawing artists, research fellows, and art world enthusiasts together. With Atopia—produced by Laura Mannelli, Frederick Thompson, and Kanika Langlois in collaboration with the Francogrid agencies O-labs, Amedé, and Joinup—the collective succeeded in creating a virtual world that equals far more than the sum of its parts. The work, part of the AFK (Away From Keyboard) exhibit organized at the Casino Luxembourg by the collective, aims to reach beyond the atopia/utopia in order to create a “heterotopia.” Created in the 1960s by Michel Foucault to define areas we have overlooked, the concept describes both real spaces simulating imaginary ones, and the areas in which society hides those living on its margins and considered deviants.

The world created by Atopia is thus “a ubiquitous/pervasive/prevalent, persistent and autonomous presence within the network” that interacts with its environment. Visitors are invited to transform themselves into “meta-wanderers” (network vagabonds) colonizing this temporary/provisional heterotopia throughout the course of the exhibition, as well as after. This interaction defines a whole new way to exhibit with a lived-in space surrounding the piece.

The Human Atopic Space thus describes the value of this interactivity:

These interactions form a datascape: an ecosystem of metadata entirely built around the artist, their work and a network of digital culture. Aiming to familiarize internet users and the public in situ with the various themes and problems associated with an AFK (Away From Keyboard) exhibition. It’s also an opportunity to travel: moving from a real visit to a virtual one and vice versa. The world of Atopia is a dimension worth discovering, prior to, during and after the exhibition’s showing.

To access the world of Atopia:
1. Register on Francogrid: Francogrid.org
2. Download and install the program Hippo OpenSim
3. Once you’re connected, click on the map tab on the bottom right hand side and enter ‘Atopia’ as your destination.

Atopia is being shown as part of the AFK (Away From Keyboard) exhibit until the 1st of May, at the Casino Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Contemporary Art Centre.