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AID: In Conversation with Steve Kurtz - January 15, 7:30pm

From: mike2004   mike2004acc.ocad.on.ca
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2005 07:50:45 -0800

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     *In Conversation with Steve Kurtz:
     *American artist investigated for bioterrorism makes appearance in
     Toronto

     InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre presents artist and
     professor *Dr. Steven Kurtz* in his first public appearance after a
     scheduled court hearing in Buffalo, New York on January 11, 2005.
     This hearing follows eight months of investigation by the FBI and US
     Joint Terrorism Task force for bioterrorism-related offenses. The
     Toronto event will be held at Ryerson University’s Centre for
     Computing and Engineering (243 Church Street, Toronto) on January
     15, 2005 at 7:30pm.

     Kurtz is a founding member of *Critical Art Ensemble *(CAE), an art
     collective interested in exploring the intersections of art,
     technology and science. CAE’s artistic projects and writings intend
     to provide the public with information and performances pertaining
     to biotechnology research. CAE's most recent project includes a
     mobile DNA extraction laboratory for testing food products for the
     presence of genetically modified organisms.

     On May 11, 2004, Kurtz called 911 after discovering that his wife
     had suffered a cardiac arrest in her sleep and died. The police
     arrived and, after stumbling across test tubes and petri dishes
     Kurtz was using in a current artwork, called in the Joint Terrorism
     Task Force.

     Soon agents from the Task Force and FBI detained Kurtz, cordoned off
     the entire block around his house and impounded Kurtz's computers,
     manuscripts, books, equipment and even his wife's body for further
     analysis. The Buffalo Health Department condemned the house a health
     risk.

     The Commissioner of Public Health for New York State tested samples
     from the home and announced there was no public safety threat.

     While most observers assumed the Task Force would realize that its
     initial investigation of Kurtz was a terrible mistake, the Task
     Force has continued its investigation and changed the charges from
     bioterrorism to mail and wire fraud. Also indicted in this case is
     Dr. Robert Ferrell, professor of Genetics at the University of
     Pittsburgh, for providing the innocuous organisms to Kurtz. Both men
     face a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison. Artists and
     scientists worldwide have rallied around Kurtz during his
     investigation.

     Kurtz’ appearance in Toronto offers the public the opportunity to
     hear Kurtz and Gregg Bordowitz, spokesperson for the CAE Defense
     Fund. They will speak about the work of CAE and the importance of
     creative freedom and privacy rights to educating the public about
     the effects of “militarized” biotechnology practices. A moderated
     discussion period will follow Kurtz's talk, led by Sally McKay.

     InterAccess is pleased to present this talk and discussion with
     Kurtz as a fundraiser for the CAE Defense Fund. Admission is pay
     what you can (suggested donation of $5) and ninety percent of all
     proceeds will go to the defense fund. The remaining monies will be
     used to offset costs of the speaking engagement. InterAccess thanks
     the New Media faculty at Ryerson University for their support of
     this event.

     For more information and discussion on this case, visit
     _http://www.caedefensefund.org_.

     *InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre* is a not-for-profit
     artist-run production centre and gallery that enables artists and
     the general public to explore the intersections of art and
     technology. Through artist talks, exhibitions, workshops and other
     events, InterAccess aims to expand the cultural space of technology.

     Media inquiries: Heather Corcoran, (416) 599-7206, extension  30 or
     _heather@interaccess.org_.
     Event inquiries: Jessica Fung, (416) 599-7206, extension 21 or
     _jessica@interaccess.org_.







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