Dear list.
I have been following the discussion for the last week from the
sideline. Unfortunately I am too busy with other things, at the
moment, to go deeper into the discussion but have tried to browse
through the postings and I thought I would just make a few comments.
I am actually a bit scared by reading some of the postings here
Right now I am organizing/curating a large exhibition with computer
based art together with my colleague. We have done this kind of work,
quite intensively, for the past five years and it has resulted in
serie of exhibitions that has been appreciated both by the public and
the critics. But speaking of the critics and theorists there are a
few tings to comment on in this context.
In the early exhibitions we noticed that the people writing about the
exhibitions and the artistic content were quite unsure on how to
approach this "new "art. They almost seemed frightened to say
something wrong. And one reason for this is that there was no
theoretical/critic/academic tradition to refer to. But during the
years they have evolved and now they are quite bold in their texts.
By providing exhibitions they have a scene to relate to, a ground
were they can evolve as critics and apply their own methods, but in
new context.
And this is what is quite scary with some of the postings that has
appeared here lately. When people are starting to talk about Derrida
and others it seems like a desperate attempt to "hook up" with the
things that are already accepted. If you follow this process you will
end up in a dusty and boring place. Please dare to have your own
thoughts and opinions. Go and see new art instead of dissecting "old-
new media art". Put together some new exhibitions and meet and
discuss.
And a comment to the problematic relation between definitions and
funding. Unfortunately it seems to be a trend to try to chase the
latest hippest thing in art to try to please the people with money. I
have seen examples were people have received funding for "new media
art" projects and when the project is presented it is video art. But
hey! We actually did edit the film on a computer.. So a major reason
for the confusion in terms and definitions also has to do with the
problems of funding. People using trendy terms on projects just to
get the money are doing it wrong. In the end it all boils down to a
three letter word that don't spell money - ART.
By the way. If any of you are close to Copenhagen or Malmo this fall
please stop by Malmo Konsthall and see the Electrohype 2004
exhibition. It will be on 1700 square meters and ruin for eight
weeks. If you want to meet, - just drop me a line.
Best regards
Lars Midboe
Exhibition organizer/curator/practical guy- or whatever you choose to call it.
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