Kinematic Dreams

April 9, 2024, 12:30 p.m. University of Art and Design Linz, Domgasse 1, Lecture Room

Interface Cultures invites you to a guest lecture by Amir Bastani, Interface Cultures graduate.

Kinematic Dreamsis a concept exploring the quality of human-robot interaction, particularly within an artistic framework. The idea is that interactions with robots produce an 'after effect' that goes beyond their utilitarian purpose, framing them with characteristics that contribute to identity formation. This phenomenon, termed the 'Surplus Value,' uncovers some exciting pathways for examining human-robot relations. While surplus value is generated in various contexts of human-robot interaction, such as in industry or scientific research, it is within the artistic research register that this can be fully acknowledged and expanded upon. This process could elevate our understanding of human-robot relations and can be reintegrated into the broader discussion about human-machine collaboration.


As a new media artist with a background in fine arts and philosophy, Amir Bastan (*1991) explores the gap between the conscious and the unconscious. He realizes his works by designing narratives through real-time processes.

"The Human Robot Transference" is the centerpiece of his current research, drawing parallels between psychoanalysis theories and human-robot interaction within the context of new media arts. Alongside his artistic practice, Amir is developing "The Bunraku Project", a software utilised for real-time control, visualization and simulation of industrial robots. Amir is based in Linz/AT, where he is pursuing his PhD and is currently a researcher at Creative Robotics and a lecturer at the University of Art Linz.