Same Same but Different: Curating in the digital landscape (whilst staying out of the rain)

Symposium:

• ISEA2013: 19th International Symposium on Electronic Art
• More presentations from ISEA2013:  

• Curating and Collecting the New: Resistance is Futile

• Same Same but Different: Curating in the digital landscape (whilst staying out of the rain)

• Lubi Thomas

Venue(s):

• The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

• Panel: Curating and Collecting the New: Resistance is Futile

  What is it to be a part of the gallery based curatorial profession, whilst curating in the digital landscape? The ‘same same’ is the curatorial purpose and intent: communication, engagement and access. The ‘different’ is the landscape in which I work; the digital landscape is a place of ever-morphing modalities of creative practice, experimentation of production and reframing of display. All of which seem to be gleefully romping off into unchartered territory. The role of the curator is in the keeping up with, the seeking out of, and the inclusion of practices and outcomes that are not always recognized within the current cultural discourse. And then exhibiting these practices within the galleries structure and systems, in ways that best suit the works, and discourse on show. If we take too much comfort in the programs of festivals, competitions and non-traditional sites, as the home of digital experimental practices, then we ignore the continued role that the gallery, museum and institutional collections sector play in the legitimization of the culture of our time. The challenge is in accepting, and still curating the digital landscape into the gallery context. And in doing so, know that these shows will often problematise both the gallery  conventions, and the audience’s perception of an exhibition experience.

Category:

• Panel