If I decide to use an avatar as a substitute for myself, is it possible to take a kind of holiday from myself and, paradoxically, to move through a world without me in it? How does this ‘parallel world’ full of new technologies shape my ‘real’ world? Will it end up being replaced? Do we use digital media to trial making ourself disappear? What material traces do we leave behind us? Is that creepy? Or does it open up special new possibilities?

For anyone who would like to consider these and similar questions, they are warmly invited to the online festival panel to enjoy a conversation with the team making up this year's research residency "Me, myself and my avatars" (Lena Biresch, Tore Nobiling and Nico Parisius), the artists Jana Kerima Stolzer and Lex Rütten and the puppeteer Franz Schrörs. It will be moderated by Beate Absalon and Sebastian Köthe, who will ensure the atmosphere is both relaxed and stimulating.

The event will take place in the virtual booth on Gather Town. You will receive the link and password to access the session via e-mail on the day of the event. We recommend that you dial in up to 15 minutes before the start of the event. There is no need to download any software. System requirements: as a minimum, you will need a computer with a current browser (not Safari) and a stable internet connection. Integrated webcam, speakers and microphone. By taking part, you agree to the Privacy Policy of Gather Town.

Notes on accessibility: The event will take place online at Gather Town. At the moment, the user interface of Gather Town is only in English. Information about the accessibility of the browser-based software can be found here. It is possible to take part without images or sound. Participation in the conversation is voluntary.