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November 2024 — May 2025
The Virtual Realisms public lecture series critically investigates the evolving forms of reality created through algorithmic worldbuilding, where advanced digital technologies give rise to new and diverse interpretations of what is considered ‘real.’ As virtual spaces reach unprecedented levels of fidelity, this seemingly contradictory term suggests that, rather than a unified representation of our reality, we are now enmeshed within multiple new artificial realisms shaped by the proliferation of immersive technologies, CGI, and intelligent automation across all sectors. Spanning both technical and speculative practices, the series of lectures will explore how real-time virtual environments, and the technologies that underpin them, are redefining the logics of cultural production, creativity, power and politics in our increasingly rendered world.
Virtual Realisms is a monthly series of public lectures taking place throughout the 2024-25 academic year at the University of Westminster in London.
The series is curated by Tadej Vindis, Lecturer in Creative Technologies, and Teodora Sinziana Alata, Lecturer in Creative Computing and Algorithmic Cultures, at the University of Westminster.
Lectures are free and open to all, but registration is required. Further monthly public lectures will be announced soon for February – May 2025.
Pete Jiadong Qiang: Internal Alchemy Through Gaming Technologies
14th November 2024, at 18:00 Harrow Campus, University of Westminster (Lecture Theatre 2)
Aleena Chia: Capturing Reality, Dis/assembling Worlds
5th December 2024, at 18:00 Harrow Campus, University of Westminster (room TBC)