[x] Fwd: Computational Creativity

[B. Bogart]

Hello all,

Sorry for the late notice, but thought some of you may be interested in
this BrainTalks event, where Philippe Pasquier and I will be presenting.

I'll be talking about my current "Dreaming Machine" project, which I
will not me emphasizing as much in the talk on the 26th, but could go
that way if there is interest.

B.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Computational Creativity
Date: 	Tue, 25 Sep 2012 05:15:02 +0000
From: 	<mlove>



Computational Creativity

*TALK ON OCTOBER 18, 2012*

How we think, whether we are physicians, researchers, students,
patients, or in another role, influences how we exchange and accept
information, and how we function and respond to stressful events. How we
think is impacted by illness of the brain, such as neurological or
mental illness. In psychiatric illness, the ability for abstraction, and
the use of metaphor, may be implicated in the illness; for example, the
arm that cannot move in the conversion disorder patient who fears using
that hand to harm themselves or another, or the depressive symptoms
reminiscent of learned helplessness in the depressive patient. In
neurological illness, the loss of function from a stroke or other
impact, may be recovered through rehabilitation incorporating
imagination, such as the mirror technique written about by Dr.
Ramachadran. As such, understanding the human capacity for creative
thinking may both help further understanding of illness, recovery from
illness, as well as encourage further reflection on how we ask
questions, and how we innovate in patient care.

Computational creativity investigates the process of creativity, and as
such, involves both scientists and artists in problem-solving and
design. As a discipline outside of medicine, it may offer an alternative
viewpoint to invite new perspectives on illness and recovery. Philippe
Pasquier will join us on *October 18, 2012*, to review computational
creativity. Ben Bogart will also speak briefly, as to “A Machine that
Dreams: An Artistic Enquiry of Cognitive Theories of Dreaming and Mental
Imagery”.

*/RSVP link coming soon . . ./*

<http://www.sfu.ca/~ppa12/CV-art-uk.html>
<http://musicrelated.org/happy-together/>
<http://www.sfu.ca/~ppa12/CV-uk.html>

*Title: Computational Creativity*

*Abstract:*
The ability to invent and use tools is a defining characteristic of
human beings: from the invention of the wheel to the development of cell
phones, technology and humans have been co-evolving. In recent years,
artificial intelligence has been successful at endowing machines with
autonomous and proactive behaviors to achieve tasks that normally rely
on human intelligence. Computational creativity is a new and expanding
field that attempts to simulate human creativity, and to discover
creative processes that are beyond human capability. This field brings
together academics and artists to design systems that are capable of
making creative decisions.

*Bio:*
After studying computer science, artificial intelligence and cognitive
sciences in Europe, Canada and Australia, Philippe Pasquier joined Simon
Fraser University’s School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT) in
January 2008 as an assistant professor. Philippe Pasquier is both a
scientist specialized in artificial intelligence and a
multi-disciplinary artist. As an artist, he has served as a member or
administrator of several artistic collectives (Robonom, Phylm, MIJI),
art centers (Avatar, Bus Gallery) and artistic organizations (P: Media
art, Machines, Vancouver New Music) in Europe, Canada and Australia.

His work has been shown internationally and funded and supported by more
than 20 scientific and or cultural institutions including the National
Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Canadian Council for the
Arts, the French Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, the
Australian Research Council and the Australian Council for the Arts.

Web:

More on Philippe: http://www.sfu.ca/pasquier/

MAMAS laboratory: http://www.metacreation.net

More on SIAT: http://www.siat.sfu.ca/

<http://www.ekran.org/ben/wp/category/production/dreaming-machine/>

*TITLE:
*
“A Machine that Dreams: An Artistic Enquiry of Cognitive Theories of
Dreaming and Mental Imagery”

*BIO:*

Ben Bogart is an artist working in installation, audio-visual
improvisation and software development. His installations create content
live in response to their sensed environment. He works in an Open Source
context and makes all the software he develops, that is of general use,
available under the GPL. Physical modelling, chaos, feedback systems,
evolutionary algorithms and artificial intelligence have been used to
inform and engage in his creative process. Ben holds a Masters of
Science in Interactive Arts and Technology from Simon Fraser University.
His current work deals with computational implementations of embodied
creativity, memory and dreaming
<http://www.ekran.org/ben/wp/category/production/dreaming-machine/>.
~
More on Ben: www.ekran.org/ben/wp/


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