Arse Elektronika Conference Examines Sex, Society, Science Fiction

SAN FRANCISCO — Vienna-based culture/technology group monochrom will host a weekend-long Arse Elektronika conference titled "Do Androids Sleep with Electric Sheep? Critical Perspectives on Sexuality and Pornography in Science and Social Fiction" in San Francisco, to be held Sept. 25-28.

Expanding on the 2007 Arse Elektronika conference, also held in San Francisco, the group and attendees will explore themes of post modernist culture, society, technology, science fiction, philosophy, sexuality, pornography and areas where all of the topics collide to form a dynamic discussion, as well as explore futuristic themes.

The panels and discussions will include “questions of science, research and technologization [sic] are of interest, as is the complex surrounding urbanism, artificiality, and control [or the loss of control],” according to the event’s organizers.

“Depictions of the future, regardless of the form they take, always address the present as well,” the group said in a statement. “Imaginations of the fantastic and the nightmarish give rise to a thematic overlapping of the exotic, the alienating and, of course, the pornographic/sexual, as well.”

Speakers will include:

  • M. Christian — an acknowledged master of erotica
  • Daniel Fabry — researcher, lecturer and artist in the fields of media and interaction design
  • Richard Kadrey — novelist, freelance writer and photographer
  • Verena Kuni — researcher, lecturer and writer in the field of art and media cultures
  • Isaac Leung — artist, curator and researcher whose work focuses on art, technology and sexuality
  • Susan Mernit — a BlogHer contributing editor on sex and relationships
  • Kit O'Connell — author of science fiction and erotica
  • Jens Ohlig — long-time activist at the Chaos Computer Club in Germany
  • Carol Queen, Ph.D. — founding director of the Center for Sex and Culture
  • Bonni Rambatan — independent cultural researcher, theorist and blogger
  • Thomas Roche — a writer of more than 400 published short stories of erotic fiction, crime and speculative fiction
  • Bonnie Ruberg — sex and games journalist for The Village Voice and Forbes.com
  • Rudy Rucker — computer scientist, science fiction author and a founder of the cyberpunk literary movement
  • Viviane — a NYC-based librarian, sex nerd and blog mentor
  • On Sept. 25, the Arse Electronika Awards will be presented at an opening night event. The awards will recognize achievement in the areas of teledildonics, orgasmotrons and sex machines.

    The conference will be held at CELLspace, located at 2050 Bryant Street, in San Francisco. Attendees must be 21-and-over.

    Ticket prices range between $8 for attendance to the conference’s opening night event, to $20 for a single day pass and $40 for all three days. Tickets can be purchased at the Arse Elektronika website.

    The Arse Electronika conference has been scheduled to coincide with Leather Pride week, as well as the Folsom Street Fair, which takes place in San Francisco on Sept. 28.

    Related:  

    Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
    Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

    More News

    Sen. Mike Lee Tries Again to Criminalize All Porn With Interstate Obscenity Definition Act

    Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah has introduced the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act, which would redefine almost all visual depictions of sex as obscene and therefore illegal.

    Deviate Network, Tantaly Brand Sign Distro Deal

    Deviate Network has signed a deal with Tantaly Brand to carry the pleasure brand’s torso sex dolls at their online store, Devier Boutique.

    Orion Debuts New Styles From 'Svenjoyment' Line

    Orion Wholesale has released several new styles from its Svenjoyment line.

    Ofcom Investigates 2 Adult Sites for AV Noncompliance

    U.K. media regulator Ofcom is investigating two adult sites for failure to comply with age assurance requirements under the Online Safety Act, which Ofcom is charged with enforcing.

    Williams Trading Launches 2025 'Pride' Promo, Summer Catalog

    Williams Trading has launched its 2025 Summer Pride promotion and catalog.

    Full Circle Debuts New Rabbit Vibes

    Pleasure brand Full Circle has introduced a new range of rabbit vibrators.

    Blush Adds 4 Vibes to 'Play With Me' Collection

    Blush has expanded its Play With Me collection with four new pocket vibrators.

    Magic Silk, Sweetums Partner for New Apparel Campaign

    Lingerie brand Magic Silk has partnered with Sweetums for a new apparel campaign featuring the sexual wellness company’s flavored, feminine hygiene wipes.

    MojoHost to Launch New GPU Servers

    MojoHost has announced plans to launch new GPU servers for its clients.

    Show More