In this unprecedented time of a near universal shift to virtual presence, we talk to a range of creatives/groups exploring cutting edge ideas around the evolution of community, connectivity and intimacy in virtual worlds. We will hear about their conceptual directions and the outputs they have enabled to reflect on our human need for intimacy, embodiment and belonging, the virtual opposite to our present ‘social distancing”. This panel aims to examine the potentials of virtual physical hybrid environments for the future, where commentary on and action with digital intimacy, belonging and bonding is made the priority.

Moderator: Ghislaine Boddington – Creative Director of body>data>space and Digital Intimacy Expert

Guests: Sly Lee, CEO at Emerge; Judd Morrissey, Artist; Mark Joseph Jeffery, Artist, Curator and Associate Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Abraham Avnisan, Artist and Assistant Professor at the Kent State University and Valerie Wolf Gang, intermedia artist, lecturer