[apologies for cross-posting]

*********************************** ************************************* ********* Upgrade! Amsterdam 0.0: THOU SHALT NOT UPGRADE!

When: April 19 2006 || 20.30 hours Where: De Melkweg, Theaterzaal, Lijnbaansgracht 234 A, Amsterdam

| free admission | | cocktails | | T-shirts |

URL: www.melkweg.nl/upgrade *********************************** ************************************* *********

|| Proud to present: Upgrade Amsterdam! || Kick-off

| Thou Shalt Not Upgrade! |

An upgrade generally implies technological improvement and progress. However, technological history is also one of choices, determined by contextual factors. What do we win and what do we lose with our current obsession with upgrading? What are its wider cultural implications? What does it mean for art, design and our worldview? Are there things sacrosanct, one should not touch: Thou Shalt Not Upgrade?

Guests: | Max Bruinsma | Is an independent design critic, editor, curator and editorial designer. http://www.maxbruinsma.nl/

| Taco Stolk | Conceptual artist and head of the ExtraFaculty (xFac) of the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. http://www.wlfr.nl/

Performative intervention by: | Aart Muis | and his | BrainClone | http://www.aartcore.com -- Upgrade! Amsterdam is a series of gatherings for and by new media aficionados, artists, geeks, media makers and breakers, and the generally curious. Point of departure is the premise: 'No upgrade without a downgrade.' Upgrade! Amsterdam is organised by Nat Muller & Lucas Evers, and is actively hosted by De Melkweg.

Send ideas and proposals to nat@xs4all.nl | lucas@melkweg.nl

Upgrade! is an international, emerging network of autonomous nodes united by art, technology, and a commitment to bridging cultural divides. Since April 1999, a group of new media artists and curators have gathered in New York City. The first meeting took place at a bar in the east village with Tim Whidden & Mark River [MTAA], Mark Napier and Upgrade! founder Yael Kanarek. URL: http://www.theupgrade.net/