Opening Reception for the Institute for Transhuman Cephalopod Evolution

Recess's Session program presents the INSTITUTE FOR TRANSHUMANIST CEPHALOPOD EVOLUTION (ITCE) founded by interdisciplinary artist and researcher Miriam Simun. In a future marked by polycrisis brought on by rapid climate technological development and climate change, ITCE is dedicated to evolving the human species based on the role model species one the oldest and most adaptable species on planet earth: cephalopods - octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish.

Join us for an introduction to ITCE and the workshops by Simun and collaborators, a short collective introductory exercise, and a conversation with the audience.

In addition to Miriam, facilitators include:

Bella Catanzaro: "I am about to graduate from the New School where I am studying Environmental Studies and Interdisciplinary Science. I have a deep love for Earth, and a passion to explore our connection to our environment. My education has given me a unique understanding of ecology and futures thinking whether that be through queer, political, or spiritual ecology."

Connor Gibbons: Connor has dedicated his career to understanding cephalopods. Connor received a B.S in Marine Science from Rutgers University in 2016. After graduating, Connor worked as an aquarist at Jenkinson’s Aquarium in New Jersey and became involved in cephalopod aquaculture. Connor joined the Axel lab in 2021 as the Cephalopod Facility Manager. Connor oversees the culturing of dwarf cuttlefish (Ascarosepion bandense), a dynamic cephalopod species used by the lab to study the neural basis of camouflage.

Netta Sadovsky MFA, LSW (she/they): Netta is a therapist and artist living in Philadelphia, PA, and the Assistant Director at The Deep Play Institute. Netta designs and leads retreats and workshops at the intersection of relational mindfulness and creativity for The Deep Play Institute. At West Philly Therapy Center, they provide individual and relationship therapy using Somatic Internal Family Systems. Netta holds a Master’s in Social Work and Social Research from Bryn Mawr College, has Level 2 training in Internal Family Systems Therapy, and has completed small group consultancy training in Tavistock Group Relations, along with extensive training in psychodrama, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, and psychodynamic approaches to group work.

More on ITCE at Recess

Through research, education, and experiential programs, ITCE seeks to expand the boundaries of human perception and intelligence. Committed to developing biotechnologies of practice within existing human bioavailabilities, the Institute fosters radical new perspectives on ad loo aptation and self and group transformation. While at Recess, ITCE will expand and deepen its work with collaborators from the fields of invertebrate biology, neuroscience, freediving, somatic practices and group psychology, among others.

From May 10 to June 14, 2025, ITCE will introduce the public to the extraordinary adaptations of cephalopods through weekly workshops How to Become an Octopus (and Sometimes Squid). Guided by ITCE founder Miriam Simun, attendees will foster a new kind of listening and connection to the self, the environment, and the other beings in our midst. The workshops unlock enhanced bodily awareness, decentralized cognition, and shapeshifting capabilities.

At this opening reception, attendees can view a series of drawings and paintings made since the inception of ITCE, some depicting practices of transcendence, and others made in the altered states of being and sensing developed by the Institute. Over the course of the Session, the works on display will change and grow. Also on view will be the film YOUR URGE TO BREATHE IS A LIE, made with synchronized swimmers, scientists and dancers with whom the original practices were developed.

At the opening, Simun and collaborators will provide an introduction to ITCE and the "How to Become Octopus (and sometime squid)" workshop, lead a short collective introductory exercise, and have a conversation with the audience.

You can register for the free workshops at multiple times during the project:

Saturdays May 10, May 24, and June 14 from 2-4 PM (click here to RSVP)

Wednesdays May 14, May 28, and June 11 from 7-9PM (click here to RSVP)

Acknowledgements

ITCE was founded by Miriam Simun at the MIT Media Lab, Design Fiction Group. The foundational work was created under the guidance of choreographer luciana achuagar, with the participation of scientist, engineers, dancers and synchronized swimmers, and in conversation with cephalopod husbandry expert Bret Grasse, philosopher Peter-Godfrey Smith, and in deep indebtedness to Vilém Flusser, Karen Barad, Astrida Neimanis, among many others.

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For most updated project details while ICTE is at Recess, click here for more information and additional programming.

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