Call for participation: Version>04: invisibleNetworks

[anna balint]

The 2004 Version>04 festival/convergence theme of invisibleNetworks addresses 
the concepts, aesthetics, politics, technologies and systems of secrecy and 
visibility in contemporary cultures. Version>04: invisibleNetworks seeks 
creative engagements with these parameters and power structures. Through 
discussions, exhibitions, interventions, networking and resource sharing, 
Version>04: invisibleNetworks brings together those who investigate the 
unseen, making known what has been hidden, as well as those who choose to 
remain camouflaged. 

STATEMENT
Version>04: invisibleNetworks seeks to uncover and open channels of 
discussion, hidden orders, unseen hands, blackboxes, backdoors, wormholes and 
access points. Participants in Version>04: invisibleNetworks will function as 
nodes and hubs in this amorphous system and construct this years' 
decentralized convergence.

For two weeks an invisible network will occupy and transform the city of 
Chicago. Collectives and nomadic societies of artmakers, musicans, resisters, 
bikers, radical cheerleaders, activists, journalists, theorists, cultural 
workers, performance artists, urban shamans, political immigrants, 
programmers and mediamakers are invited to swarm Chicago in order to build, 
deconstruct, and make public the networks of contemporary social, political 
and cultural practices that are reweaving strategies for building another 
future.

What secrets hide in/on the invisibleNetworks, behind the anonymous logins 
and under the masks that we wear? What are the politics, aesthetics and 
conceptual underpinnings of hiding and/or revealing? What tools are available 
to analyze those hegemonic forces that wish to remain concealed? Self-
organization, resistant strategies and absorption concern these networks as 
they are mobilized by individuals, collectives, corporations and nation-
states.

During Version>04 the public and private spaces will reveal the 
communications and strategies of disobedients, government agencies, 
psychogeographers, surveillance players, public interventionists, rogue 
agents, space hijackers, covert operators, digital detourners and urban 
planners.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Call for Artists/Activist media engagements
Call for Presentations and Panels and Workshops
Call for Analysis
Call for Facilitators, Incubators and Hubs
Facilitators are individuals interested in fostering aspects of Version>04: 
invisibleNetworks.
Incubators are alt.spaces seeking to host events and exhibitions connected 
with Version>04: invisibleNetworks.
Hubs are existing networks who are looking for ways to coordinate activities, 
linking and routing connections to and from Version>04: invisibleNetworks.

GUIDELINES
All the pre-selection materials and applications must be received by January 
15, 2004. 

ENTRIES
Entry is free of charge. Works and projects whose contents meet with the 
theme and categories of Version>04 can be entered. In addition to the entries 
of works and projects by participants in the Festival/Convergence, Version>04 
will also invite participation.

APPLICATION
You can apply online at http://www.versionfest.org.
Or download an application form at http://www.versionfest.org/form.pdf (no 
link yet).

Print-out this form, fill it out and mail it to:

Version International Arts Festival/Convergence
Version>04: invisibleNetworks
960 W. 31st Street
Chicago, IL 60608
USA

Only one project/work per application form.

If you have any questions about submitting email ed at lumpen.com

Pre-selection viewing/listening materials:
The accepted formats are: CD/ CD-R /CD-ROM, VHS (NTSC), miniDV (NTSC), DVD 
(NTSC), Zip, floppy disc, and URL. All the materials sent will be kept in the 
Version International Arts Festival/Convergence archive. Please do not send 
any original.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Applicants will be contacted regarding the status of participation via e- 
mail or phone by Version>04 by the end of February. We will post the list of 
all the participants shortly thereafter on http://www.versionfest.org. 
Version>04 examines all materials sent to us, but unfortunately we have no 
resources to answer all queries concerning proposals before the final 
announcement of participation.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
Version>04 has the unlimited use and unrestricted right to present work for 
information, previewing and advertising purposes in any and all existing and 
emerging media formats for noncommercial purposes.