Introductory Statement

Theme

Digital extensions of commercial sex toys, computer games that celebrate sexuality, porntubes and VR porn, and intercourse with robotic entities are examples of how advanced technologies enter private human encounters. Surrounded by excitement and titillation, as well as fear and anxiety, digital enhancements of human/human or human/technology sex have created a lively and restless pornosphere. How are techno-sex, womens’ rights campaigns and online sexuality contributing to the fields and ideologies of social networks? What gender considerations or gender and queer activism results from globalized tech industries? What is the role of art in exploring the ethics and socio-cultural aspects of these changes? Who are the cyber-queers online and offline? Where do reproductive technologies meet robotic partners? And finally, since techno-sex and the pornosphere in greater China are governed by a battle over civil rights, how do people and online citizens creatively use them and what are the major issues of social activism?

• Dr. Katrien Jacobs (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Dr. Hanna Wirman (School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Dr. Isaac Leung (Videotage), Dr. Olli Tapio Leino (School of Creative Media City University of Hong Kong), Track Chairs