About
SEPT 1-30
2022
2022
A Signature Program by Life Calling
Back
The Exhibition
Between Worlds
An artificial light has risen over the horizon. In front of us, the encroaching virtual landscape; behind us, the fading landscape of our nature. We are a species between worlds. With each step into the future, digital worlds gain more and more traction. Will we continue to drop our nature by the wayside, or will we decide to carry it with us into the future?
Since 2016, artist, author and lecturer John Mack has committed himself to addressing one of the most pressing conversations of our times: the ever-increasing imbalance between smart-devices and our humanity. In the interactive photography experience A Species Between Worlds: Our Nature, Our Screens, Mack taps into the power of visual art to enhance awareness and open this all-important conversation to everyone.
Since 2016, artist, author and lecturer John Mack has committed himself to addressing one of the most pressing conversations of our times: the ever-increasing imbalance between smart-devices and our humanity. In the interactive photography experience A Species Between Worlds: Our Nature, Our Screens, Mack taps into the power of visual art to enhance awareness and open this all-important conversation to everyone.
A Gamified Meditation
A Species Between Worlds is a gamified meditation examining the intersection of humanity and technology. Sparked by the Pokémon Go® craze and a subsequent stampede in Taipei in 2016, Mack has sought to explore the often slippery intersection of virtuality and reality through a technology-forward narrative arc that centers the individual and aims to foster balance and awareness between our technology and ourselves. Featuring more than 65 artworks including imagery of more than 50 U.S. National Parks and the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the exhibition features a customized app, which guides visitors through a gamified psychological exploration framed by the artifice of the Pokémon Go® interface, which gradually fades as reality is restored. Open to the public and free of charge, the more than 17,000 square foot exhibition is accompanied by a robust program of talks and events throughout the month of September. The exhibition also coincides with the publication of Mack’s collection of poetry, A Land Between Worlds: The Shifting Poetry of the Great American Landscape.
“Humans are a species between worlds. We’re on a mass-migration from the natural world to the digital world, abdicating our natural spaces while expanding digital ones. Smartphones, designed to be tools, have become our reality—and with every swipe, tap and pinch, our humanity is being exported, little by little,” states John Mack. “I’m very consciously not anti-technology, but rather I aim to foster mindfulness so that our devices serve as our tools and not the other way around. The exhibition is an invitation to contemplate our relationship to our devices and the surrounding world while inspiring the introspection needed to prevent the loss of our humanity.”
The Players
A Species Between Worlds is funded in part by Tavros Capital, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Programming partnerships include the David Lynch Foundation, Fairplay, The Tibet House, New York Center for Living, The Explorer’s Club, and more.
A Species Between Worlds is an initiative by Life Calling.
A Species Between Worlds is an initiative by Life Calling.
Mobile App
A Species Between Worlds
Augmented Reality
Watch video
The A Species Between Worlds experience uses an interactive app downloaded at the venue.
(Compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices. Devices free for loan upon request at cloakroom.)
(Compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices. Devices free for loan upon request at cloakroom.)
Minimum software requirements:
iOS 14 or Android 8.0.
iOS 14 or Android 8.0.
Biscayne National Park
The Team
John Mack began collecting imagery for A Species Between Worlds in August 2016. Since that time an incredible team has been built along the way. The interactive art exhibition and month of programming would not have been possible without the following team members:
Soze Agency (US)
Creative Philosophy (US)
Department PR (US)
Jonathan Marder and Company (US)
Ellie Manko (US)
F.Y. Eye (US)
Richard P. Clark (US)
SugarHill Works (US)
Stephen K. Mack (US)
Griffin Editions (US)
The Giving Back Fund (US)
Skylight Modern (US)
MESH Architectures (US)
Treeline Interactive (US)
Yup, it’s a Hub (PT)
- 5002 agency
- Papori agency
- David Leal
- Zana Moraes
- Luis Ribeiro
- Pedro Rodrigues
- Francisca Cruz
- Rui Lopes
- SUD SUD
A Signature Program by
www.life-calling.org
Life Calling is a project of the Giving Back Fund, Tax ID: 04-3367888, a non-profit corporation with federal tax-exempt status from the IRS under section 501(c)3.
NEW YORK ©2022 A Species Between Worlds. USA. All rights reserved.
Back
The Forum
Between Worlds
The A Species Between Worlds Forum combines thought-provoking artwork with an inspiring program that brings together a unique group of high profile speakers and leaders from the fields of art, academia, technology, and business to explore the nexus of new technology and human behavior through a multidisciplinary lens. Together, we explore our relationship with technology through interactive panels, deep-dive conversations, youth town halls, partner events, performances, and more.
Schedule NY'22
Four Pillars
Themes of the forum are divided into four main pillars. Spread throughout the month of programming, each theme addresses the role of technology with regard to specific areas of our lives.
Power
& Influence
Across the globe, access to everything has never been more democratized. Yet, we’re also in an era of creeping authoritarian control and staggering inequality — financial, political, environmental, commercial and more. Meanwhile, access to technology comes paired with the promise of equality, of DIY success, of limitless potential to link, build, and thrive. So then, why do so many of us feel powerless over our devices? What are ways in which we can reverse that dynamic? How can we wield the tools and influence of technology for good?
Health
& Wellbeing
The technological takeover is often framed through the lens of vice and temptation. But for most of us, technology is both essential to survival and inescapable. While the ease and access to services that technology has provided can be beneficial, it also has the potential to be wildly destructive for mental and physical health as well as broader social bonds. How do we recalibrate our relationship with technology to prioritize our mental health and overall wellbeing? Can we find peace within ourselves and with others?
Nature
& Environments
Nature and technology often seem to be fundamentally opposed. For our survival, we must inhabit our real and virtual spaces in ways that reflect our best principles of sanctity, sustainability, and empathy. How can preservation and conservation be prioritized in a world of finite resources? How can we enhance physical and digital environments through a framework of balance?
Community
& Culture
Culture now exists at our fingertips, can be created and self-published for free, and is instantly distributed to the masses. In some ways, this is one of the greatest times to both consume and create content because we have access to more authentic, younger, and diverse perspectives than ever before. On the other hand, the platforms that foster this are designed to demand attention and prioritize commerce. Has the democratization of creation actually democratized content? How can new voices emerge when spaces are so saturated? And how can we rediscover what it means to be in community with one another?
The Landscape
Humans are a species between worlds. We’re in the midst of changing physical spaces and expanding digital ones. We’re in a technological transition between attachment and autonomy. Smartphones, designed to be our tools, have become our reality — and with every swipe, tap, and pinch, our humanity is being exported, piece by piece, to the cloud.
The pull of technology has turned into a tether, binding us to our devices and taking us away from the vibrant colors of our nature. But humanity and technology don’t have to be in conflict. Technology has presented us with our greatest opportunities, produced social and cultural innovations, facilitated advances in all sectors, and improved the lives of billions of people. However, if it’s no longer a relationship, if it becomes a dependency, then we’ve lost power to one of our greatest assets.
We know balance and reclaiming our autonomy is possible. So what does that look like? How do we create communities and environments where we can reestablish our power over technology?
The pull of technology has turned into a tether, binding us to our devices and taking us away from the vibrant colors of our nature. But humanity and technology don’t have to be in conflict. Technology has presented us with our greatest opportunities, produced social and cultural innovations, facilitated advances in all sectors, and improved the lives of billions of people. However, if it’s no longer a relationship, if it becomes a dependency, then we’ve lost power to one of our greatest assets.
We know balance and reclaiming our autonomy is possible. So what does that look like? How do we create communities and environments where we can reestablish our power over technology?
The Invitation
We seek to engage the community — from creatives, digital natives, futurists, young people, families, and other diverse thinkers — who want to understand how technology is reshaping our lives, our environments, and our world.
Schedule NY'22
A Signature Program by
www.life-calling.org
Life Calling is a project of the Giving Back Fund, Tax ID: 04-3367888, a non-profit corporation with federal tax-exempt status from the IRS under section 501(c)3.
NEW YORK ©2022 A Species Between Worlds. USA. All rights reserved.
Back
Life Calling
The Initiative
Mission
Preserving our humanity in the Digital Age
Founded in 2021 by author, photographer and thought leader, John Mack, Life Calling is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving our humanity in the Digital Age.
ON THE LINE/_ the problem
Our humanity is on the line. In the age of ever-increasing digital dependence, we find ourselves further and further divorced from ourselves, our community, and nature.
CALLING IT OUT/_ vision
We envision a future where we remain grounded in our humanity—no matter the technological environment—ensuring we thrive in all that makes us human, individually, collectively, and with nature
DIALING IN/_ grounded in our humanity
Digital technologies are pulling us from our nature. As this pull intensifies, it behooves us to remain all the more grounded in our humanity. The digital clock is ticking at increasing speeds, prompting us now—more than ever—to show up to life’s calling.
ANSWERING THE CALL/_ expanding self-awareness
We assist in answering the call for expanded self-awareness. This is achieved through self-learning tools, educational programming, community activations and publications that foster and catalyze a more balanced, nuanced and thoughtful perspective as we navigate the Digital Age.
A Species Between Worlds is a signature program by Life Calling.
ON THE LINE/_ the problem
Our humanity is on the line. In the age of ever-increasing digital dependence, we find ourselves further and further divorced from ourselves, our community, and nature.
CALLING IT OUT/_ vision
We envision a future where we remain grounded in our humanity—no matter the technological environment—ensuring we thrive in all that makes us human, individually, collectively, and with nature
DIALING IN/_ grounded in our humanity
Digital technologies are pulling us from our nature. As this pull intensifies, it behooves us to remain all the more grounded in our humanity. The digital clock is ticking at increasing speeds, prompting us now—more than ever—to show up to life’s calling.
ANSWERING THE CALL/_ expanding self-awareness
We assist in answering the call for expanded self-awareness. This is achieved through self-learning tools, educational programming, community activations and publications that foster and catalyze a more balanced, nuanced and thoughtful perspective as we navigate the Digital Age.
A Species Between Worlds is a signature program by Life Calling.
A Signature Program by
www.life-calling.org
Life Calling is a project of the Giving Back Fund, Tax ID: 04-3367888, a non-profit corporation with federal tax-exempt status from the IRS under section 501(c)3.
NEW YORK ©2022 A Species Between Worlds. USA. All rights reserved.
Back
John Mack
Artist & Founder
of Life Calling
of Life Calling
John Mack is an artist, photographer, author, lecturer and the founder of the nonprofit initiative Life Calling, whose mission is to foster awareness and balance for society in the Digital Age. Mack is a 2022 honoree of The Explorer’s Club 50: Fifty people changing the world who the world needs to know about. Additionally, Mack serves as a board member of Fairplay, an organization that strives to create a world where kids can be kids, free from the false promises of marketers and the manipulations of Big Tech. He has served as an adjunct lecturer for the Graduate program of Design at the University of Lisbon. He currently lives between London and Seville.
Click here for more information about the artist.
Click here for more information about the artist.
A Signature Program by
www.life-calling.org
Life Calling is a project of the Giving Back Fund, Tax ID: 04-3367888, a non-profit corporation with federal tax-exempt status from the IRS under section 501(c)3.
NEW YORK ©2022 A Species Between Worlds. USA. All rights reserved.