Mix and mingle with the most exciting minds of LA and enjoy music, hors d’oeurvres, games & prizes! Happy Hour is from 7-8pm.
8:30pm / Talks
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”
- Carl Sagan
MC, “The Cosmic Frontier” Douglas Campbell / Co-Founder & Curator, Mindshare LA
Are we alone in this universe? The odds seem unlikely, so why does the universe seem so ‘quiet’? Kepler is finding potentially habitable planets. Will we be able to colonize another planet before it’s too late? Join us for a night of interstellar insights!
Doug is a community constructor, experience engineer and tuxedo traveler. He co-founded Mindshare LA in 2006 as well as the interactive collective Syyn Labs in 2009. He likes wearing tuxedos for charitable escapades.
The Most Advanced Mars Rover Yet… Adam Steltzner / Chief Engineer, EDL, Mars Exploration Rovers mission
It is built into all us human beings through our shared “curiosity gene” to stare into the sky and wonder – What’s out there? Adam Steltzner is working to give us some answers. The Mars Science Labratory rover is the most intricately designed, ambitious vehicle in the NASA Mars rover series yet, and Adam is working to get it on the ground. He unravels the tail of how the MSL is being developed – and where it is going.
Adam is the Chief Engineer for the Mars Science Labratory rover entry, descent, and landing phase. He has logged enough airline miles to go around the world more that a dozen times in ensuring that the heat shield, parachute, rockets, airbags and other devices, all worked individually and together to get the mission safely to the surface of Mars. He works at JPL and holds a PhD in Engineer Physics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is a musician at heart and a Mechanical Systems Lead by trade.
When you go to Space.. William Pomerantz / Vice President, Special Projects at Virgin Galactic
Some people whine, “where is my jetpack?” Mindsharians don’t whine, and we don’t restrict our pining to jetpacks. Many of us are planning now for the realization of another one of our childhood dreams: the days of regularly scheduled passenger flights to space. Space travel is no longer the exclusive domain of government astronaut corps. William Pomerantz will discuss how you, too, will be able to go space in the near future, whether for research, for education, or for fun.
Will is the Vice President for Special Projects at Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, the world’s first spaceline, and is a trustee of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS), the world’s largest student space organization. He is a graduate of Harvard University, the NASA Academy, and the International Space University. This is his third time speaking at Mindshare—and his third different topic (previous topics: the Google Lunar X PRIZE and OpenGov @ NASA).
Building the Future of Space Exploration Dr. Dmitriy Tseliakhovich / Co-founder and CTO, Escape Dynamics LLC
Space is the new economic frontier and one of the greatest adventures that awaits humanity. What is holding us back? Why aren’t we building space colonies and travel to the moons of Jupiter in search for new life forms? Why aren’t we getting unlimited energy from Space Based Solar Power satellites predicted decades ago? The answers to these questions represent an unprecedented opportunity and present an extremely exciting challenge that will be addressed through the interplay of exponentially evolving technologies and new business models pioneered by young, innovative teams.
Dmitriy is a space scientist and entrepreneur devoted to the mission of opening space for large scale commercial, scientific and social exploration. He holds a M.Sc. degree in physics from Carleton University in Ottawa and a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Caltech. Dmitriy is also a recent graduate of the Singularity University. In 2010 Dmitriy co-founded Escape Dynamics LLC with the goal of developing new space launch and space exploration systems based on exponentially growing technologies.
9:30pm – Late / Interactions & Music
Stay for the interactive technology installations, stocked bar, music and entertainment!
Explore the MUSIC, GAMES & ART on display!
ART, GAMES & INSTALLATIONS FROM
DAN GOODS: While creating a pipe organ out of soda pop bottles, gardening at the Huntington Gardens and designing four-dimensional objects, I developed a passion. It is to give people experiences where they interact with something beautiful, meaningful, and/or possibly profound. I now get to do this as the Visual Strategist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where I create ways of communicating ideas, and through public and private art commissions. I am currently working on projects in Pairs, Sao Paulo, Atlanta, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Reno, and the AxS festival in Pasadena. I live in South Pasadena with my wife and 3 kids.
KASEY MACMAHON is a creative director and multimedia artist based in Los Angeles, California. Her work is driven by interest in Space exploration and curiosity regarding our distinctly individual interactions with technology, the world and each other. Influenced as much by hardware stores and the monsters underneath her bed as by science, technology and fine art, Kasey believes imagination is a superpower we all possess and encourages the occasional sidestepping of grownup life to recall a child’s eager fascination with the mundane. Kasey loves exploring the connection between art and science, tinkering with technology, climbing mountains and trying to figure out how to get to outer space. Her work has been covered in a variety of print and online publications including Popular Science, Wired, CNET, AdBusters and Forbes and she was recently selected as one of LA Weekly’s Best People in LA.
ERIC GRADMAN is a founding member of Syyn Labs. As a roboticist and interactive artist, he has developed computer vision software for such disparate applications as military robots and sock-puppet karaoke machines. His computer-vision-based art has been seen in museums and at events far and wide.
JOHN PARK is gifted live painter who mixes layers of mixed media to create compelling narrative.
Coined “The League of Extraordinary Nerds” by Fast Company Magazine, Syyn Labs is a Los Angeles-based organization that fuses the worlds of technology and interactive sciences with artistic mediums to design and construct visually dynamic spectacles that inspire thought and provoke conversation. (Read more…)
Wise Guys will be in the house once again, conducting another social game!
Mix and mingle with the most exciting minds of LA and enjoy music, hors d’oeurvres, games & prizes!Arriving early? Food Trucks will be serving up delicious treats from 6:45pm onward. (see below for details…)
8:30pm / Program
GUEST HOST:Jamye Waxman / M.Ed Human Sexuality Education & Author
Presenters Include:
Dr. Sean Carrol / Senior Research Associate in Physics, CalTech
Tantra: Beyond Sex… Liberation & Mindfulness in Every Day Life
9:30pm – Midnight / Interactions & After-Party
Stay for the interactive technology demo lounge, stocked bar, music and entertainment!
Explore the MUSIC, GAMES & ART on display!
ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC
Boom Boom Boom, the most energy pushed acoustically this side of the Mississippi. Lead man Joe Greene possesses a deep vocal that will woo the ladies at the same time demand you get up and dance. Dylan Cooper and his curvaceous stand up bass will hypnotize you with tones of eloquence and thump. Marlon Grace manages to make a box drum, yes a box, sound like a drum machine as well as a trap kit.
Super Tall Paul (of Helios Jive) will be bringing his headphone lounge! Local Hero Weekly says:”SuperTall Paul Newman is the man you call when you are looking for fun, silly, impressive, entertainment. “
And as a special treat, Wise Guys will be in the house, conduting another social game!
Mix and mingle with the most exciting minds of LA and enjoy music, hors d’oeurvres, games & prizes! Arriving early? Food Trucks will be serving up delicious treats from 6:45pm onward. (see below for details…)
8:30pm / Program includes
GUEST HOST:Jamye Waxman / M.Ed Human Sexuality Education & Author
Oded Aharonson / Professor of Planetary Science, CalTech
Unveiling Titan: A World Strange and Familiar
Alan Horsager / Neuroscientist at USC Keck School of Medicine
Blindness & Sight
Dan O’Shannon / TV Producer, Cheers, Frasier, Modern Family
Just What the Hell Are You All Laughing At? The Science of Comedy
Stay for the interactive technology demo lounge, stocked bar, music and entertainment!
Explore the MUSIC, GAMES & ART on display:
SPECIAL! David Guttman (Syyn Labs) will be showing his newest installation “TwitterChimes” in the auditorium. See some of his other projects here.
FOOD TRUCKS & SNACKS (from 6:45 – 8:30pm)
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ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC
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The Shoestring Trio will be playing and are accused of being “guilty of creating a contagiously festive atmosphere wherever they play” by LA Weekly ALSO:Super Tall Paul (of Helios Jive) will be bringing his headphone lounge! Local Hero Weekly says: “SuperTall Paul Newman is the man you call when you are looking for fun, silly, impressive, entertainment. “
And as a special treat, Wise Guys will be in the house, conduting a social game called “Prize Ribbons”
TECH DEMO LOUNGE
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Combiform is a game platform that involves four wedge-shaped controllers that can be played separately or “stuck” together for cooperative play. Inneract is for your practical needs and most obscure desires. Invite others to interact with you in any way you wish or explore the whims of others. ALSO, Dr. Nuclear will be setting up his interactive whiteboard. Dance Pad is a dance game for the iPad that turns your fingers into legs.
I’m used to hosting brainy events – or at least events where some sort of presentation sits at the core of the experience, such as Mindshare and Projectfresh Presents. Full on parties have so far not been my MO, with the occasional exception of Tuxedo Tyrants and Science Meets Art Soirées, both of which fall on the more intimate scale. But this New Years, I delved into new territory as a full scale party promoter – and this wasn’t any hidden underground party, this was a fully permitted and legal event – how progressive!
Nexus NYE 2011 was to be a unique celebration in downtown LA – combining the forces of a handful of community characters including the “always in the center of the action” Curious Josh, as well as Blue InSomnia, Project Alma and Ninja Skillz. The vision was to combine various disparate LA groups into a big 1500 person event for a night of art, music, culture and creativity. Nexus NYE 2011 was billed as “The Union of Tribes” .
And what a night it was! Fantastic interactive art installations from the minds of Syyn Labs (and others), four colorful stages, including a dark and secluded ‘Kundalini Lounge’, highlighting the DJ talents of 30+ DJs and keeping the dancing crowd entertained until the sold out venue finally had to announce ‘last calls’. I watched as throngs of people left with smiles on their faces, ready to continue 2011 with the same sort of spirit that they launched it with… Quotes from the Facebook page were filled with euphoria:
“An amazing night. Drove home to San Diego at 2:30 so full of love and energy from all you wonderful people! Best New Years ever!”
“Thank you NEXUS crew for an awesome start to the new year!!! Wishing ALL OF YOU good things from heaven in the 2011!!! >=iii=<()~~~~2011!”
and the gushing:
“Now come on for realz…..I’m been simmering about this for a few hours now…… THAT WAS AN EPIC NYE……(and I’ve been to plenty of disasters) NO DETAIL WAS LEFT UNTURNED…….. wow….. enough music, enough effects, enough bartenders, enough coziness, enough furiness, enough ENOUGH ENOUGH…..freaking brilliant!!! This is my fi…rst NYE in LA so I am so thankful for *BLUE & CREW* for producing such an awesome event…….kudos are coming out my arse right now….. oh yea, and freaking SOLOVOX was at the top of his game boy, 2 words….bou and ya!!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, 5 STARS ***** xxoxoxxoxoxo”
While I was putting on the 500th bracelet (and trying not to get any arm hair stuck), the Fire Marshall turned to me and said “What a nice bunch of people you’ve gathered – I think I can let in another 100 – lets try not to leave anyone outside…” Even vice came by and apparently told the venue “Wow, great crowd here – looks like we won’t need to be coming back later…” WHAT SORT OF BIZARRE REALITY IS THIS?! A legal and permitted one apparently… And that feels nice
Massive thanks to 613 Imperial, all of the talent and crew and of course to my fellow promoters, Josh, Chris, Travis and Saynt – looking forward to more fun in 2011! You can see the full line and credits here and pics from Curious Josh here.
Well, well, hasn’t this been a memorable December – packed full of events! I promise in 2011 to have some more substantive entries (OK, OK, in addition to a couple of events I might be planning
Merry Everything, everyone and if you’re in LA, I hope to get jiggy with you (and ~1500 others!) at Nexus.
“Assuredly avuncular, amusing and affected, (also – absolutely alliterative…)…. an artful after-hours articulation, amplifying appreciation of marvelous minuscule molecular machinery. Mobile-media mavens! Metaphysical merry-makers! Mindshare mob! Mark my message! i.e. you’ll dig it.” – Prof. Phil
I’m co-hosting a soirée this Friday with my favorite social roboticist Heather Knight. Here’s the flier and the Facebook event. Please forward this to NYC friends who would be interested! I’m looking to connect Syyn Labs (as well as local artists) with ad agencies, gallery owners and other interactive art connectors. And of course, we’re definitely looking for people to show work or bring fun stuff! Suggestions welcome via comments below.
Also: big thanks toBen Maronfor offering us his elegant Williamsburg loft for the evening. Please keep it nice )
Prolific Maker and Syyner Eric Gradman got his hands on a Kinect CV unit and within hours was “making art”, as he calls it. I always smile when Syyn Labs creators say that sort of thing. As another Syyner Dan Busby once said: “Some of us were trained in art formally, but the rest of us had to learn it on the streets…”. With a history of robotics and computer vision (not to mention fire spinning, circus performing, and professional whistling) Eric has quickly learned the joy of ‘making art’.
Describing one his first custom Kinect project, Illuminous, Eric says: “Remember that scene at the end of the matrix where glowing green symbols traced across an agent’s body? Well, this is just like that, but in realtime. What you’re looking at here is a particle system, where YOU are the source of the particles. Particles (seen on screen as dots) spring into being on the surface of your body. They then traverse the contours of your body until they reach an edge, at which point they’re flung into space and disappear. All this is possible because the Kinect lets me reconstruct the 3d geometry of whatever it sees.”More details here…
The Kinect also adds a new way of interacting with old projects: “Standard Gravity is an existing project of mine that until today pure image thresholding to determine where people are standing. I bought a new Kinect sensor this afternoon, and immediately set about adapting this code to use the new sensor.” More details here… What will Eric come up with next? Keep in touch with him on Twitter at twitter.com/egradman and the rest of the Syyn crew at twitter.com/syynlabs.
Syyn Labs invites you to join us at our new warehouse space near downtown LA for a night of interactive art, DJs and VJs. We’ll be going from 9pm until late – drinks provided. More details at syyn.eventbrite.com.
$10-$15 RSVP here… // ABSOLUTELY NO TICKETS AT THE DOOR // REGISTRATION REVEALS LOCATION
Invite your friends via our Facebook event and we hope to see you here on the 6th!
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