reminder: 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