booktwo.org

I’m not really used to doing so many things that I don’t write automatically write about here, but there’s quite a lot at the moment, so I thought I’d note where I’ve been working recently, and what I’ve been up to, as well as what’s coming up.

As well as the Observer column, so far this year (and a bit of last) I have written:

• On Trap Streets for Cabinet Magazine
• On Architectural Visualisations for Domus
• About the New Aesthetic for Form Magazine (German)
• A catalogue essay for the Jerwood / FVU Awards, featuring Ed Atkins and Naheed Raza
• On games and literature, for De Gids (Dutch) – and in English
• About an interesting new substation at Edgware Road for ICON magazine
• Contributed to FutureEverything’s “Digital Public Spaces” book (free to download)

There are a number of upcoming pieces in various formats as well, that I’ll try to link to as they appear. A near-complete record can always be found at my portfolio.

I spent six weeks guest tutoring at Goldsmiths’ on the Design MA, as well as guest tutoring some students on the Fine Art course. There has been a bit of consultancy on the side, for friends. I’ve given artists’ talks at Spike Island in Bristol, the White Building in Hackney Wick, and the Royal Academy Schools. I spoke at Resonate in Belgrade ten days ago – hopefully there will be documentation available soon – and interviewed Jaron Lanier on stage for the School of Life.

For the record, I wish I’d gone after Lanier more – you can watch the video here – as I think some of his ideas are unconscionable and it concerns me to what extent peoples’ critical judgement is suspended as soon as someone is framed as an expert in technology – which Lanier is, but it shouldn’t prevent far more rigorous critique than seems to be the current norm.

I will probably address this a bit in my contribution to Immaterial Labour Isn’t Working, a series of talks, texts and online contributions organised by Huw Lemmey and Auto Italia South East, which I’ll be speaking at on the 11th of May. Other confirmed speaking dates coming up include an April 16th symposium in Brussels, as part of The Digital Now, Digitalt Byliv in Oslo in May, and, further afield, The Conference in Malmö in August.

Finally, I have several art shows and performances coming up. I’m producing new work for Coded Conduct, a group show at Pilar Corrias in London, which opens next week, and participating in Afrofuture at the Milan Design Fair, also, brilliantly next week. For the Brighton Festival in May, I am drawing another drone shadow, which I’m very much looking forward to. There may be more to announce soon as well.

Busy, grateful. If you’d like to talk to me about writing, speaking engagements, consultancy or any other kind of work or creative involvement, please do not hesitate to get in touch.