Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology's ‘Open All Ports’ symposium Feb. 25-27

Connecticut College’s Ammerman Center for Arts & Technology presents the 15th biennial arts and technology symposium, “Open All Ports,” Feb. 25-27. The symposium brings artists and researchers together to share ideas and present new works, research and performances, all addressing the fusion between technology and the arts.

Performances, openings, exhibitions, receptions, concerts and community events are all free and open to the public and the campus community. Paid registration is required for full attendance at the daily paper sessions.

This year’s theme, Open All Ports, relates to the physical port of New London, the host city for the symposium, as well as the digital, social, and political implications of ports: nodes of connectivity that attempt to balance access, information, security, privacy and freedom. Programming will include collaborations with the Hygienic Art Gallery and Spark Makerspace in New London.

A full schedule of events may be seen and downloaded at the Open All Ports website.

Featured events include new works commissioned by the Ammerman Center, paper presentations, panels, interactive installations at the Hygienic Art Gallery, an experimental sound performance at the Spark Makerspace, and live multimedia performances.

Some highlights:

Thursday, Feb. 25

  • 4:30 - 6 p.m., Cummings Arts Galleries. Symposium Opening Reception and Gallery Opening. View “Xhibition: Creative Systems for the Improvement of Local Human and Environmental Health” by Natalie Jeremijenko and interactive, multimedia installations. 
  • 8 p.m., Evans Hall. Multimedia concert including interactive sound, video, dance and visual arts performances featuring new works by artists commissioned by the Ammerman Center.

Friday, Feb. 26

  • 9:30 a.m., Evans Hall. Welcome and Memorial Dedication for Ammerman Center honoring co-founder David Smalley, Professor Emeritus of Art, and commemorating the Center’s 30 years.
  • 9:40 a.m., Evans Hall. Keynote Address, "Adventures in BiodiverCITY," given by Natalie Jeremijenko, one of America's brightest digital pioneers. Her “Xhibition: Creative Systems for the Improvement of Local Human and Environmental Health” is located in Cummings Arts Center’s Joanne Toor Cummings Galleries and is on view through March 4.
  • 5-9 p.m. Opening Reception at the Hygienic Art Galleries, 79 Bank Street, New London, featuring OpenEnded Group: Katherine Bennett, João Costa, Angela Ferraiolo, Lindsey French Brittany Ransom, Owen Roberts, Sheida Soleimani and Kelly Thompson.
  • 8 p.m., Multimedia concert including interactive sound, video, dance and visual arts performances featuring new works by artists commissioned by the Ammerman Center.

Saturday, Feb. 27

About the Ammerman Center, Connecticut College

The Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology gathers faculty and students who study and contribute to the symbiotic relationship between technology and the arts. Through interdisciplinary collaborations and individual work, students and faculty not only promote proficiency in working with technology, but also deepen the understanding of the meaning and role of technology within the larger context of the liberal arts.


February 23, 2016