Format: agency, school, publisher
Location: berkeley, california
Dates: june 2021 - present
Current Status: open
Transformations of the Human (ToftH) is an independent nonprofit organization aimed at bringing philosophy, art and technology together in a single framework. ToftH explores how contemporary technology disrupts the conceptual presuppositions we humans live by. By doing so we bring into view an aspect of technology usually neglected by research and development: the creation of new realities that we do not yet understand, for which we lack concepts, images, metaphors. Our work is organized in terms of three main pillars: PArT research projects with tech companies; ToftH school; and publishing projects.
“At present, a concern for philosophical stakes is absent from technology research and development. The effect is that tech companies disrupt the concepts we live by without noticing the creative potential: the consequence is a missed opportunity to build products and processes that positively shape the new. ToftH’s mission is to change that.”
ToftH is headquartered in Berkeley, CA and is powered by a small but mighty team of research and administrative staff. With the support of the Berggruen Institute and board member Reid Hoffman, the program is proud to stand on its own organizationally, practically, and financially.
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Tobias Rees, CEO
Kim Newman, COO + CFO
Farida Amar, Creative Director
Researchers: Annie O'Connor, Jeanne Dreskin, Matt Prindible, Nina Beguš, Philip Grant
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Artists: Agneiska Kurant, Anika Yi, Brendan Getz, Champ Panupong Techawongthawon, Kalil Joseph, Mara Eagle, Nancy Baker-Cahill, Peter Mellgard, Philipp Schmitt, Pierre Huyghe, Rob Reynolds, Samuel Watterworth, Stephanie Dinkins
Studios: SP-GD, Breef