There are few writers that can skip between AI and transhumanism, religion, art, love and feminism with as much warmth and wit as Jeanette Winterson. Don't...

Jeanette Winterson | LIFE AND MARS: The Future of Human

Location:

483 George Street
2000 NSW
Australia

Venue:
Sydney Town Hall
Jeanette Winterson
Jeanette Winterson

Featuring

Jeanette Winterson

Jeanette Winterson

Jeanette Winterson CBE is a British writer. After graduating from Oxford University, she published her first novel at 24, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit,  based on her own upbringing but using herself as a fictional character. She scripted the novel into a BAFTA-winning BBC drama. 27 years later she re-visited that material in her internationally bestselling memoir Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? She has written thirteen novels for adults, three collections of short stories, as well as children’s books, non-fiction and screenplays. 12 Bytes at AI is her latest collection of essays, exploring the world of computer intelligence. She is Professor of New Writing at the University of Manchester.

Richard Fidler

Richard Fidler

Writer-broadcaster Richard Fidler is the author of the best-selling Ghost Empire and The Golden Maze, and the co-author of Saga Land with Kári Gíslason. His most recent history is The Book of Roads & Kingdoms. Throughout the week, Richard presents the long-form, in-depth interview program Conversations on ABC Radio. Conversations has become the most popular podcast in the nation, with more than 70 million program downloads a year.

Access and Inclusion

  • Auslan Interpreted - Auslan interpreted events are for audiences who are Deaf and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their primary means of communication. Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate what the speakers are saying or Auslan signing the text and dialogue live. Audiences requiring this service are seated in the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.
  • Companion Card Acceptance - The Companion Card is for people with a significant permanent disability, who always need a companion to provide attendant care type support in order to participate at most available community venues and activities.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.

Event Details

There are few writers that can skip between AI and transhumanism, religion, art, love and feminism with as much warmth and wit as Jeanette Winterson. Don't miss the chance to hear from a "master of her material" (Vanity Fair) and "the best living writer in this language… in her hands, words are fluid, radiant and humming" (Evening Standard UK).

Jeanette has always questioned the way of things. A beloved, prolific iconoclast and delightful raconteur, she isn't afraid of crossing the line or ruffling feathers. Renowned for her queer seminal debut Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit and landmark novels like The Passion, Sexing the Cherry and Written on the Body, Jeanette has recently turned her attention to the big questions: how did we get here and where might we go next? Her latest collection of essays 12 Bytes explores the evolution of humanity, the impact of AI and what nature has meant historically and socially.

In an energetic address to be followed by a moderated interview with Richard Fidler, Jeanette will also draw on her own unconventional, fraught and (in hindsight) hilarious upbringing to reflect on questions of identity, sexuality, religion and nature versus nurture.

She will prod, provoke and challenge your ideas of nature, all while making you laugh as you fall in love with her unique and fascinating way of seeing the world.

Jeanette Winterson appears at Vivid Ideas as part of our Global Storytellers series, where you'll hear from international thought-leaders and creatives who are tackling taboos, asking difficult questions and creating zeitgeist-defining work.

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Access and Inclusion

  • Auslan Interpreted - Auslan interpreted events are for audiences who are Deaf and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their primary means of communication. Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate what the speakers are saying or Auslan signing the text and dialogue live. Audiences requiring this service are seated in the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.
  • Companion Card Acceptance - The Companion Card is for people with a significant permanent disability, who always need a companion to provide attendant care type support in order to participate at most available community venues and activities.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.