[spectre] live-stream & chat: V2_: Anarchives: connection-machines

[Andreas Broeckmann]

A conference organized by V2_
Friday 5 July 2002
Afternoon program: 14.00 hours - 18.00 hours: presentations
Evening program: 20.00 hours: performance and music

Livestream: www.v2.nl/live (RealMedia)
Chat:
- irc.v2.nl#anarchives (questions, discussion)
- irc.v2.nl#tech (technical issues)

Presentations by:
Margarete Jahrmann (A), Marko Peljhan (SLO), Thecla Schiphorst (CDN),
Ben Schouten (NL), Arnold Smeulders (NL).

Performance by:
Jahrmann, Margarete (A) & Moswitzer, Max (A)

Moderation by:
Nigten, Anne (NL) & Punt, Michael (GB)

Anarchives: connection-machines
In our information and knowledge based society archives once again attract
the interest of artists, art institutes, scientists and others. Archives
and databases have become the basis for the development of knowledge.

The opening up and ordering of archives is a time-honored way of reflecting
on the social and cultural cohesion of groups of people and communities and
the role of the individual therein. Concepts of this vary from the 17th
century 'Wunderkammer' model to the metadata theories in our information
and knowledge based society.

The present application of digital technology makes it possible to arrive
at a drastic linking of a great diversity of information, uncovering
complex relationships and connections. Data about the genes of humans,
animals and plants, about our social and political preferences, our
Internet behavior; everything is stored digitally and everything can be
linked. Based on this information all sorts of economic, social and
cultural scenarios and realities are being devised. It also raises
essential social questions: Which databases and archives are being linked,
and which are not? Which information either is or is not stored in these
databases and who decides this? Which information can be applied by
specific interest groups only? What is the public significance of these
knowledge systems?

Besides a technological and scientific aspect this development also has a
social and cultural element dominated by the notion that it is essential
for the individual to be able to interact within this complex social and
cultural (media) reality and to be able to transform it. In this situation
there is a growing need for strategic tools and agents to play an active
role in the way information is entered, edited and opened up. A growing
number of artists and architects are developing (software) systems to
(re)organize data into complex knowledge systems that offer their users
insight and interaction. Databases, software engines and archives are
increasingly involved in artistic interventions. Artists are looking into
the cultural and artistic possibilities for redefining and/or reusing
existing archives. Via the artworks that apply archives and databases new
interpretations and archiving concepts are being generated, as well as new
aesthetic experiences. How do failures occur in the (dis)connections
between archives and what is the artistic potential of these breakdowns?

In this process, artists and computer scientists share an interest in the
development of software that can be applied to the field of art and
culture. The conference Anarchives: connection-machines brings together a
choice of scientists and artists who will present their research and their
projects.

The evening program will focus on more active elements, highlighting the
use of databases and archives in music and performances.

More information at: www.v2.nl/2002
The program can also be watched online at www.v2.nl/live
Anarchieven: connection-machines will be broadcast live on A1, Bellissima
(cable television Amsterdam) between 14.00 hours - 19.00 hours and between
20.00 hours - 22.00 hours.

Afternoon program
13.45 doors open
14.00 welcome by Alex Adriaansens

14.10 welcome by Anne Nigten & Michael Punt
14.30 presentation by Ben Schouten

15.00 presentation by Marko Peljhan
15.30 presentation by Margarete Jahrmann

16.00 break

16.15 presentation by Arnold Smeulders
16.45 presentation by Thecla Schiphorst

17.15 panel discussion
18.00 end

Evening program
19.30 doors open
20.00 performance Margarete Jahrmann & Max Moswitzer



Admission: EUR 9,- day ticket and EUR 4,50 afternoon- or eveningprogram
Location: V2_, Eendrachtsstraat 10, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Reservations: contact Marjolein Berger by e-mail: marjolein@v2.nl, or by
phone: +31(0)10 206 72 72
Press/images: contact Marije Stijkel, e-mail: marije@v2.nl or by phone
+31(0)10 206 72 77.