Where Does Life End and Simulation Begin?

We used to think we had a reasonably good idea of what was alive, what was artificial, what was real, and what was simulated. That distinction is getting harder to maintain. Synthetic biology lets us redesign living systems. Artificial intelligence produces increasingly convincing imitations of human thought and creativity. Mixed reality changes what we perceive as our surroundings. Brain stimulation can alter our experience from the inside. So where, exactly, does “real life” end? On 24 September, Bangkok Scientifique welcomes artist and researcher Henry Tan for an exploration of life, technology, sleep, dreams, and what Henry calls bioaesthetics. Henry works somewhere in the wonderfully messy territory between art laboratory, biology experiment and speculative future. A member of FREAK Lab Thailand and metaPhorest Japan, and a 2024 resident artist at the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology at NYU Abu Dhabi, his projects have involved synthetic biology, mycelium, artificial intelligence, mixed reality, brain stimulation and sleep. You can explore more of Henry’s work at https://www.henryandpartners.com And Henry takes sleep particularly seriously. He uses it as a prism through which to investigate life, society, culture and technology, creating installations, performances, songs and even architecture designed for people to rest, dream and reconsider their own perceptions and memories. Past work includes a 24-hour sleep experiment involving a mycelium world. One of his upcoming projects is titled How to Explain Sleep to a Robot Cock? As one does. Henry will share recent artistic projects and installations and ask what happens as living systems and simulations become increasingly entangled. How does life adapt to rapidly changing technological and environmental conditions? Can art help us understand technologies before we fully understand what those technologies are doing to us? And what can something as ordinary, mysterious and universal as sleep tell us about being human? Expect art, biology, technology, dreams, some unusual experiments, and plenty to discuss. Thursday, 24 September 2026 Public House Bangkok 19:00 This event is free. BKKSci welcomes everyone with an interest in science, art, technology and the strange business of being alive. No specialist knowledge required. All BKKSci events are free of charge. We do however ask that you please consider supporting Public House by purchasing your choice of food and drink during the event. Public House has kindly agreed to host BKKSci free of charge. This is our way of thanking them for their support. See you there. Assuming, of course, someone doesn't shut off our universe's simulator.