Hybrid Futures: Mike Tyka Introduction

There's only a few more days for us patiently waiting for the first edition of the event series "Hybrid Futures. The Arts and Sciences - past, present and future" taking place at the brand new Futurium near Hauptbahnhof Berlin. Hito Steyerl, Jules LaPlace and Mike Tyka will talk about futuristic chances and challenges. Giving you a short introduction to the speakers in this article we’re portraying Mike Tyka.

Nowadays Mike Tyka is known to combine his two passions of being an artist and a computer scientist but back in the early 2000's he started out studying Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Bristol obtaining his PhD in Biophysics in 2007.

He then went on to work as a research fellow at the University of Washington to study the structure and dynamics of protein molecules. To better understand these fascinating processes he has been writing computer simulation software and implemented that knowledge into his art installations.

His artistic work has focused on traditional sculpture and modern technology such as 3D printing and artificial neural networks. Especially his sculptures of protein molecules that he made using cast glass and bronze are impressive displays of biological phenomenons and have been shown around the world from Seattle to Japan.

Another artistic medium and tool that the uses and which will definitely be discussed heavily at the event is artificial intelligence and the neural networks leading up to that. He co-founded the "Artists and Machine Intelligence program" at Google and collaborated with Refik Anadol to create a pioneering immersive projection installation using Generative Adversarial Networks called "Archive Dreaming".

In 2015 he was invited by TEDx Talks to talk about the "art of neural networks" and how algorithms are capable to transform computers into artists that can generate breath-taking paintings, music and even poetry.

He also co-founded ATLSPace, an artist studio in Seattle where he creates his artworks and inspires people to work on interdisciplinary topics and continue eliminating the boundaries between the sciences and the arts.

Hopefully we will experience the same kind of inspiration and energy when Mike is able to share his insights and opinions with Hito Steyerl and Jules LaPlace while pondering about the future.

If that sounds interesting to you join us on Thursday, the 12th of december, in the Futurium and be part of this future-shaping event.

- Aljoscha