V2_: Anarchives: connection-machines

[marjolein at v2.nl]

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

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

Biographies:
Margarete Jahrmann (A), artist and journalist, studied at the Vienna 
University of Applied Arts and at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy Amsterdam. 
Since 1994 she has realized a variety of CD-ROMs, net projects, Superfem 
online performances, and Web 3D projects. Jahrmann is also co-founder of 
Konsum.net, an art server. Her university teaching positions include the 
University for Applied Arts (Vienna), the University for Artistic and 
Industrial Design (Linz), and the University for Design and Art (Zürich).

Max Moswitzer (A), multimedia artist specialized in 3D simulations and 
artistic server design, graduated from the University for Applied Arts in 
Vienna. In 1995 Moswitzer co-founded Konsum.net, an art server. He 
regularly produces interactive applications and online installations, 
videos, Internet projects and since 1997 realizes the setup for telematic 
performances.

Marko Peljhan (SLO), artist, graduated from the Academy for Theatre, Radio, 
Film and Television in Ljubljana. In 1992 he founded the arts organization 
Projekt Atol for his creative activities. Co-ordinator of the Insular 
Technologies project, co-founder of Ljudmila -Ljubljana Digital Media Lab 
in 1996, and co-ordinator of the Makrolab, which will be set up around the 
world up until 2007 as an art/science station.

Thecla Schiphorst (CDN), media artist, choreographer, dancer, and computer 
systems designer and Associate Professor in the Computer Arts and Design 
Sciences Program at Simon Fraser University. Her formal education and 
training in computing science and dance form the interdisciplinary basis of 
her work, which integrates models of scientific representation with 
experiential physical practices and methodologies.

Ben Schouten (NL), artist, entrepreneur (Desk.nl) and mathematician at the 
CWI (Center for Mathematics and Information Science) in Amsterdam. In 2001, 
he obtained his doctorate with a thesis on CD-ROM: Giving eyes to ICT! Or: 
How does a computer recognize a cow? Part of the thesis describes an 
interactive search system developed by Schouten, which is based on the 
description of the content of images.

Arnold Smeulders (NL), professor at the University of Amsterdam (UVA), 
Faculty of Science, chair on Multimedia Information Processing, project 
leader of MultimediaN and director of the Informatics Institute. His 
current research interest is in the foundations, design and implementation 
of image information systems ranging from image search engines, query by 
image content, interactive specification, access by content, genre 
classification as well as the integration of pictorial and linguistic 
information.

Moderation by:
Anne Nigten (NL), manager of V2_Lab, the aRt&D department of 
V2_Organisation in Rotterdam, and content manager of the European Network 
for Cyber ART (EncART). She published papers on art, engineering and 
(computer) science collaboration and software development for 
interdisciplinary purposes from an art perspective.

Michael Punt (GB), film-maker, author, Deputy Director of CAiiA, University 
of Wales College, Newport (GB) and editor in chief of Leonardo Digital 
Reviews. He is a member of the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis at 
the University of Amsterdam where he obtained his doctorate and has 
published widely on digital media and film history including a book length 
study of cinema technology.

Concept and production: V2_, Ben Schouten

In collaboration with: CWI Center for Mathematics and Information Science, 
Bellissima

Anarchives: connection-machines is supported by the Directorate of Cultural 
Affairs of the City of Rotterdam, the Ministry of Culture, CWI Center for 
Mathematics and Information Science and Luna Internet.