Photo of Michael Stripe courtesy of Wikipedia
R.E.M. vocalist Michael Stipe was today announced as a guest artist at the upcoming 11th edition of North Carolina festival Moogfest, and particle physicist Dr. Kate Shaw and artist-scientist Joe Davis of MIT announced as its keynote speakers. The event will take place in in Durham from May 18–21, and its previously announced headliners include Flying Lotus, Suzanne Ciani, and Animal Collective.Stipe will present an audiovisual installation exploring themes of desire and movement, featuring footage he has shot in New York City with a soundtrack composed by himself. Shaw and Davis will present the festival's keynote speeches; Shaw's will be on particle physics studies in developing countries, and Davis' will be on his work on molecular biology, bioinformatics, and art.Other presenters announced as part of Moogfest's thought-oriented daytime schedule include sound designer Michael Bierylo, sound artist Marc Fleury, and influential trans-humanist Zoltan Istvan.Earlier this year, Moogfest revealed that will have a protest stage at this year's festival in opposition to discriminatory policies that are sweeping across the US.The North Carolina festival will also host an event at SXSW featuring panels and performances exploring themes of diversity and inclusion.Follow Alexander on Twitter.