Capping a series of events to be held around the world, Leonardo, the flagship journal of the International Society for the Arts, Sciences and Technology, will celebrate its 40th anniversary at UNM. Competing with such prestigious universities as Stanford and MIT, UNM ARTS Lab successfully bid to host the 40th anniversary conference, “New Leonardos Engaged in the Burning Issues of Our Times,” in Albuquerque, March 18-21, 2009.
The conference is expected to draw 1000 participants and will feature world-renowned artists, researchers and scholars, including Nobel laureates.
Claudia Valdes, ARTS Lab associate director, said the conference will explore the convergence of art, science, technology and business as a dynamic conversation with each discipline enhancing the others, a conversation in which New Mexico, Albuquerque and UNM are uniquely well-versed. “It naturally ties in with the efforts that are already here in the state.”
Leonardo, a peer-reviewed scholarly forum for the conjunction of art, science and technology published by MIT Press, has published more than 5,500 artists, researchers and scholars. The conference will bring together scientists and artists, elder practitioners and younger creators, scholars and administrators from around the world to celebrate the achievements of Leonardo and to design the important questions that will shape the next 40 years.
The event showcases some of the most compelling work of the “New Leonardos.” It will provide a framework to debate the burning issues that face the arts, humanities, sciences and technology in a world of declining science literacy, limited resources, man-made environmental change, and enduring inequalities and social injustice.
The conference is hosted and co-organized by the UNM ARTS Lab, Albuquerque and Leonardo/ISAST.
ARTS Lab encourages those planning to participate to pre-register at artslab.unm.edu/leo40/registration.html. Pre-registration does not require a deposit, and will help staff plan, design the conference and fundraise.
A call for papers and final registration will launch later this year. The cost will be $300 general or $200 for students, UNM and Leonardo members.
For updates and to join the mailing list, visit artslab.unm.edu/leo40.