Infotopia_the infogolem at V2

[Anna Balint]

From: V2_Organisation <v2 at v2.nl>

Infotopia_the infogolem
Friday, 22 March 2002
doors open at 8.30 P.M.
admission: € 4,50
location: V2_, Eendrachtsstraat 10, Rotterdam
In our information society the (electronic) media define and play with our
everyday reality at all levels. How can we as individuals act and intervene
in these constructed media realities? ‘Infotopia_the infogolem’ will
present a number of almost utopian (art)projects that apply different
browsers for communication technology in order to enable individual users
to scan their ‘information environment’ and act in it. ‘Infotopia_the
infogolem’, a both utopian and critical view of the great expectations that
are held regarding the information and knowledge society.
Speakers:
Aram Bartholl (Germany), ‘Daten am Ort’
(student of architecture at the Universität der Künste, Berlin)
In ‘Daten am Ort’, via the application of mobile communication technology,
new social and cultural properties are added to the public space by
offering information that is limited to specific locations. For instance,
public space as gaming environment for skaters. ‘Hand-held’ or cell phones
allow the skaters to ‘browse’ the information that is available in the
public space (e.g. skating routes that contain special assignments).
www.datenamort.de
Dirk van Oosterbosch (NL), ‘Friend’
(student at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam)
A project taken to its extremes; a mobile computer system ‘Friend’ takes
you through the information jungle of the public space, while sending
‘agents’ to available public networks to select specific information for
you. The results are then transmitted through an earphone. The downside:
the system containing all your personal data may mutate when it is hacked
into by unwanted ‘friends’.
Jaanis Garancs (LV/D), ‘Big Brotherhood Browser’
(former E-Lab from Riga, student at the Kunsthochschule für Medien in  Cologne)
An almost utopian view of the information society where almost everybody
has an implant (or a cell phone) by which behavior as well as processes
within the body are being monitored. All of the information thus obtained
is of social, cultural and political value. Trade it! Get paid for it while
you play, play while you work.
www.khm.de/~jg
Konrad Becker (A), ‘World-Information.Org’
(director of Public Netbase, Institute for New Culture Technologies, Vienna)
A presentation about the history of deliberate misinformation. A sobering
audiovisual bombardment of facts, quotations and events, detailing how we
are being misled/misguided every day by the media.
www.world-information.org
For more information: www.v2.nl/2002
The presentation can also be viewed on line: www.v2.nl/live
Concept and production: V2_Organisation, Eendrachtsstraat 10, 3012 XL  Rotterdam
‘Infotopia_the infogolem’ is supported by: Cultural Affairs, City  ofRotterdam, Ministry of
Culture, Luna Internet.