Roy Ascott

Roy Ascott (born 26 October 1934) is a British artist, who works with cybernetics and telematics, on an art which is technoetic, focusing on the impact of digital and telecommunications networks on consciousness.

He is President of the Planetary Collegium, and DeTao Master of Technoetic Arts at the DeTao Masters Academy in Shanghai. He is the founding editor of the research journal Technoetic Arts, an honorary editor of Leonardo Journal, and author of the book Telematic Embrace: Visionary Theories of Art, Technology and Consciousness.

His Golden Nica award is for “those men and women whose artistic, technological and social achievements have decisively influenced and advanced the development of new artistic directions.” He is recipient of the Ars Electronica Golden Nica award for Visionary Pioneer of Media Art 2014,

Biography

Roy Ascott was born in Bath, England. He was educated at the City of Bath Boys' School. His National Service was spent as a commissioned officer in the RAF Fighter Command working with radar defence systems. From 1955-59 he studied Fine Art at King's College, University of Durham (now Newcastle University) under Victor Pasmore and Richard Hamilton, and Art History under Lawrence Gowing and Quentin Bell. On graduation he was appointed Studio Demonstrator (1959–61). He then moved to London, where he established the radical Groundcourse at Ealing Art College, which he subsequently established at Ipswich Civic College, in Suffolk. Notable alumni of the Groundcourse include Brian Eno, Pete Townshend, Stephen Willats, Roger Ruskin Spear, and Michael English.