OFF PATTERN
“OFF PATTERN” is an art collective composed of creative writers and researchers, who focuses on alternative representations of technologies in fiction.
[Event]
Workshop and symposium
Creative Writing & Tech
From the 23rd to the 25th of September 2026, Vienna
In the context of this workshop, creative writers are invited to write a futurist adaptation of a well-known literary piece that they will have read before the event. In doing so, we explore common representations of technology in fiction, and question how we use (or choose not to use) AI systems, when imagining possible futures.
How to get there
Hotel Regina, Rooseveltplatz 15 – 1090 Vienna
From the Airport:
Take the train (ÖBB) toward Vienna. You can buy your ticket in the arrivals hall after collecting your luggage. Once you have purchased your ticket, go down the ramp to the train station.
The train will take you to "Wien Hauptbahnhof" (Vienna main station).
You can also catch the CAT train to the city center but it's more expensive and not always more efficient.
From the main station (Wien Hauptbahnhof):
There are many different possibilities to get from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Schottentor (and so, to Hotel Regina). One way is to buy a ticket for all public transport from a red ticket machine "Wiener Linien", and to take the tram D in direction of "Nußdorf, Beethovengang".
Program [Update: 21st of September]
Day 1
From 9:15 Meeting at "NIG" (Neues Institutsgebäude), Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien (5min walk from Hotel Regina).
In Room Lecture Hall 2H (Hörsaal 2H), 2nd Floor
9:30 Welcome & Presentations
9:40 [Speaker] Céline Pieters, University of Vienna, “Representing technologies in fiction: beyond the most probable outputs”
10:00 [Speaker] Benjamin Sevestre-Giraud, College of France "Didactique du français et enseignement de la rhétorique aux défis de l’IA. Perspectives à partir d’une recherche-action."
10:30 Coffee Break
10:45 BOOK CLUB & Opening of the Writing Session (if good weather: in Arkadenhof )
12:30 Lunch (ASPIC)
14:00 Writing Session in NIG, Room Lecture Hall 2H (Hörsaal 2H), 2nd Floor
16:30 End of the day
17:00 Drinks
Day 2
9:15 Welcome in Room Lecture Hall 2H (Hörsaal 2H), 2nd Floor
9:30 [Speaker] Leonie Möck, University of Vienna, “Rethinking Creativity and Inspiration: On Hermeneutic Agency in Our Encounters with Generative AI"
10:00 Coffee break
10:30 Writing Session
12:30 Lunch (Catering)
14:00 Departure to a *Secret Place* in the heart of Vienna for a writing session
18:00 End of the day
Day 3
9:15 Roundtable in Room Lecture Hall 2H (Hörsaal 2H), 2nd Floor (process, inspiration, obstacles)
10:30 Coffee Break
12:30 Lunch (Allegro)
14:00 Debriefing & Interviews