Experimenta Life Forms Curator Tour

Join co-curators Jonathan Parsons and Lubi Thomas for an in-gallery tour of Experimenta Life Forms. Parsons and Thomas will guide audiences on an informal journey through the exhibition to provide insight into the artistic and curatorial concepts that underpin the show.  

 Audiences will be invited to contemplate compelling questions such as: What new life forms are emerging through technological and biological adaptation and invention, and how First Nation’s perspectives influence our current understanding of life? 

 All ages are welcome to join, spaces limited.

Jonathan Parsons  

Jonathan Parsons has over twenty-five years of experience working as an artistic director, curator and creative producer in Australia and internationally. He was Artistic Director of Experimenta, Australia’s preeminent media arts organisation until 2022 and Co-curator of the exhibition Experimenta Life Forms. 

Previously, he was the Creative Director of Robotronica (2013-2019), a biennial showcase of the latest in robotics and interactive design at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). In 2013 he was the Director of ISEA2013 in Sydney. He has artistically led and collaborated on a broad range of cultural programs and events across all art forms including for for the State Library of Queensland, Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Riverfestival, Byron Bay Writers Festival, Adelaide Festival of the Arts, London International Festival of Theatre, Powerhouse Museum, Awesome Festival, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival and Pacific Wave Festival. 

Lubi Thomas 

Lubi Thomas is an experienced curator working in the field of digital/new media arts and associate practice areas. In the past decade, she has developed and delivered an extensive range of exhibitions, projects, festivals, events, residencies and mentoring programs, as well as, public and education focused programming. Site-responsiveness is a key element in her practice, working closely with artists, creative technologist, and their collaborators to produce works and cultural experiences for a variety of audiences. Lubi’s master’s Curating in Uncharted Territories proposes a methodology for cultural programming development and sustainability for sites engaged in the display of, and engagement with, experimental creative practice. 

Lubi takes a networked and site-responsive approach to programme structures, audience engagement, and partnership development. She has developed cultural programming frameworks for The Cube Brisbane, Creative Industries Precinct QUT, and Qld State Library.  Lubi has developed key partnerships with LEGO Education, Ars Electronica, FACT Liverpool, EMARE, and the Australia Council for the Arts to support these programming sites.  Lubi wears many hats with her key activities being as an Independent Curator and Artist, Experimenta’s Curator @ Large and curatorial advisor to Digital Placemaking Institute. Lubi works and consults locally, nationally and internationally. 

Experimenta Life Forms has been sponsored to tour to New England Regional Art Museum by the University of New England Smart Region Incubator. 

Inage: Curator tour. Experimenta Life Forms, Western Plain Cultural Centre, Dubbo, 2022.