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Artificial Life

The Art of Automating Living Systems
Series: Vignettes
Brief Description
In today's world, we find ourselves repeatedly evaluating whether things are real or "fake" in ways that often depend on the distinction between that which is living and that which merely appears to be so. This question seems to require continuous revaluation with each major technological... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2699
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Releases 27th October 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Artificial Life" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In today's world, we find ourselves repeatedly evaluating whether things are real or "fake" in ways that often depend on the distinction between that which is living and that which merely appears to be so. This question seems to require continuous revaluation with each major technological shift.

Artificial Life is concerned with the aesthetic facets of artificial life. It argues that the boundary between the living and the non-living, the real and the fake, the natural and the artificial, are continuously constructed and re-constructed via aesthetic means. These boundaries determine the content of the category of "life", and it is the realm of the aesthetic that determines our understanding of these boundaries.

Series: Vignettes

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    Driving through the countryside, you may have noticed that nowadays it's paddock after paddock of merino sheep, while virtually every cow lining up for milking is black and white. Your neighbours' backyard chooks are likely to be Isa Browns. You probably can't even remember the last time you saw a pig, because they're all hidden away in sheds. An extinction...
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  • Artificial Life
    Pre-order
    Artificial Life
    In today's world, we find ourselves repeatedly evaluating whether things are real or "fake" in ways that often depend on the distinction between that which is living and that which merely appears to be so. This question seems to require continuous revaluation with each major technological shift. Artificial Life is concerned with the aesthetic facets of artificial life. It argues...
    Paperback
    $2699
    Pre-order
    Out 27 Oct 2026

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760803452

Publisher: UWA Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 October 2026

Country: Australia

Imprint: UWA Publishing

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 120.0mm

Height: 165.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 200

About the Author

Oron Catts is an artist researcher, Head of SymbioticA, and Director of the UWA Institute of Advanced Studies, whose work focuses on the shifting relations and perceptions of life in the light of new knowledge and its applications.

Sarah Collins is a cultural historian at UWA whose research focuses on the relationship between culture, technology, and broader intellectual and political currents.

Elizbeth Stephens is in cultural studies at the UQ, where her research examines the history and culture of work, productivity and fatigue.

Ionat Zurr is an artist researcher working at UWA who is considered to be a pioneer and a leader in the field of Biological Arts.

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