ISEA98: Ninth International Symposium on Electronic Art


[Overview] [Venues] [Presentations] [Workshops] [Art Events]


Ninth International Symposium on Electronic Art

Location:
Manchester, Britain United Kingdom

Dates:
2 September - 7 September, 1998

Organised by:
Liverpool John Moores University and Manchester Metropolitan University

In Cooperation With:
Inter-Society for the Electronic Arts

Overview:

There were actually 2 academic conferences: ISEA98 “Revolution” at the Liverpool John Moores University (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) and ISEA98 “Terror” at the Manchester Metropolitan University. Art Exhibitions, Concerts and Performances were held at a large number of venues in Liverpool and Manchester, a.o.: the Tea Factory, Bluecoat Gallery, Bluecoat Concert Hall, Cream, Tate Gallery,  (all Liverpool), Cornerhouse, Dadi Building, Museum of Science & Industry (all Manchester). Even trains, between Liverpool to Manchester, were used as venue. A number of exhibitions and events went on till October 11.

Introductory and Welcome Notes:

Themes:

“Revolution” and “Terror”

Subthemes:

Alter Egos

Can the new digital and electronic possibilities produce new identities and means of relating to one another? How are differences in race, class and physical ability represented in robotics and virtual space? Might it simply be adding a new aesthetic?

Mind Travel

What does it mean to travel in digital space or control an avatar from a computer? Where are the physical limits of the human body when we can see, hear and act remotely? Does the world come closer or move further away in the process?

Media Blasi

How do we process the huge increase in available information? Should we leave it to the media in all its multiplying forms to tell us the story? Where do content producers end and viewers/consumers start?

Bad History

How does history affect our expectations of technology? Can we ignore our existing prejudices and fears? Is digital space a new territory in which the West can replay its imperialist instincts and dominate all other ideas and expressions?

Artificial Intelligence

Is there a new form of digital intelligence and how can the human brain understand it? Is interactivity a real change in the relationship between artist and viewer or designer and player? How do we value the difference between human labour and computer power?

Revolting

How do we capture the moment of change rather than its results? Can we create a social space out of the internet? Is acting more appropriate than action?

International Programme Committee:

Publications: