Hi Charlie & all,
> hooray for the ICA's decision, precisely because it is shortsighted
>
(or even blind)...
It feels as if the ICA are moving back to black and white television,
whilst everyone else is viewing the world in technicolour, and its
networked.
"No Country for Old Hegemons".
It seems obvious to me that the guy does not even know what he's
talking about, and that's a problem for all those who disagree with
him within the institution itself. Outside, the world carries on,
learning, expanding, developing and creating contemporary art-related
contexts that are dynamic not only in their reasoning, but also
questioning at the same time.
Susan mentioned it 'is a really lazy statement'. No references in his
statement to validate any of his argument. All on here would not find
it hard to suggest works and writings contrary to his lackluster
conclusion. Ten years ago, he would of got away with it, but now it
just reads as if denial is the main drive behind such ill-informed words.
Although Charlie does touch upon a poignant issue, in respect of
various institutions backing out of continuing the representation and
support of media art. And it is a vision thing - although it is ironic
that there is so much happening in media art culture. At the HTTP
Gallery, we've gained much interest from new audiences with the shows
we've been having and they are not lacking in urgency, in fact we
activley make a point that the work we choose to exhibit has something
that offers questions for visitors to experience, other than just the
medium alone. Not just that, these audiences are growing and they are
not a specific type either and most continue to be intrigued with the
art shown.
So what's going on?
Let's face it - if we can do it in North London. The ICA with all its
massive support and strong high-up connections should have some
chance. I would say that it is more about how the place is run and the
restrictions that they put on themselves which is to blame, not media art.
marc
> Emma's three years coordinating Live and Media Arts at the ICA
> produced some really great events and some exciting occasions. I
> think it is shortsighted of the ICA to close the Department.
>
> Nevertheless, and at the risk of seeming perverse and provocative,
> I would like to suggest that in some ways we should celebrate this
> decision. For me it confirms what I think of as one of the great
> strengths of new media art (or whatever it might be called), that
> is its resistance to cooption by institutions such as the ICA. It
> remains a blind spot in contemporary art practice, something that
> cannot be assimilated into the dominant narratives of 'Art'. The
> reason is perhaps that it is not simply another genre of art
> practice, but the form of art that most directly addresses the
> fundamental and constitutive technicity of art, which is almost
> completely disavowed by art theory, art history and mainstream art
> institutions. In this sense new media art acts as a kind of
> continuous deconstruction of art's own ideological
> self-understanding, which involves this disavowal of technicity.
> Charlotte Frost, whom many of you will know, is just finishing her
> PhD in which she pursues this point as a means of examining the
> blindspots of art history itself. Personally I would really begin
> to worry when the ICA, the Tate and other such institutions start
> to accept and support such work, so my view (with all due respect
> to Emma) is hooray for the ICA's decision, precisely because it is
> shortsighted (or even blind)
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Curating digital art -
> www.crumbweb.org on behalf of Emma Quinn Sent: Fri 17/10/2008 6:11
> PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject:
> [NEW-MEDIA-CURATING] Live and Media Arts at the ICA
>
> Apologies for the blanket e-mail and any cross postings
>
>
>
> It is with sadness that I am writing to announce the closure of the
> ICA's Live and Media Arts Department. I have included a statement
> by Ekow Eshun, the Artistic Director of the ICA below.
>
>
>
> I am continuing with the programme here until the end of November
> 2008 and will then be looking to develop and expand the programme
> with other partners and venues. I will of course update you on new
> developments as they occur.
>
>
>
> Thank you for your support and interest in the department's
> projects during my time at the helm, and please do make the most of
> the rather full line-up running over the next couple of months. It
> would be wonderful if you could continue to show your support by
> attending what will be an exciting finale.
>
> http://www.ica.org.uk/?lid=12173
>
>
>
> I have enjoyed my time at the ICA tremendously and this has been a
> direct result of working with some fantastic artists and
> practitioners. The opportunity and privilege to work on the many
> exciting, thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable projects over
> the last 3 years, has provided me with new challenges, joy, energy,
> pride, insight, thrills and above all has made me very very happy!
> I am very much looking forward to continuing with these established
> relationships as well as generating new ones in the next stage of
> my career.
>
>
>
> I will be contacting everyone again before I leave with my personal
> contact details should you wish to stay in touch.
>
>
>
> Thank you for your time.
>
> Kind regards
>
> emma
>
>
>
> --- From Ekow Eshun, Artistic Director of the ICA ---
>
>
>
> Following a review of the ICA's programming activities I have taken
> the decision to close the Live & Media Arts department from the end
> of November 2008.
>
> The ICA has led a pioneering role in new media arts practice over
> the last decade and more.
>
> We are proud of that legacy. However times change. And I no longer
> feel that the artistic rationale for devoting considerable
> institutional attention to that art form - to the extent of
> maintaining a dedicated department to its pursuance - can be
> strongly made.
>
> As an institution dedicated to the contemporary moment it is
> important that we continually review the timeliness and relevance
> of our activities and at times make decisions on that basis.
>
> New media based arts practice continues to have its place within
> the arts sector. However it's my consideration that, in the main,
> the art form lacks the depth and cultural urgency to justify the
> ICA's continued and significant investment in a Live & Media Arts
> department. Following discussion with the ICA Council and the Arts
> Council - and agreement from both bodies - I have decided to close
> the department.
>
>
>
> It's also my view that the sheer breadth of activity that our
> artistic programme encompasses means that we are often stretched
> too thin as an organisation. Our technical, building and financial
> resources are under considerable strain and it is hard for us to
> communicate our aims to our audience with directness and clarity.
>
> In closing the Live & Media Arts department, we will be able to
> invest greater resources in a more concentrated programme of
> activities, allowing us to create a more ambitious artistic plan
> for 2009/10. And in communication with the public, the focus of our
> activity will be exclusively on Visual Arts, Cinema, Talks and
> Music.
>
> In addition, these changes will offer the opportunity for the
> Digital Studio to be reconstituted as a dedicated Education space,
> offering a valuable benefit to an important and growing section of
> our audience
>
>
>
> ---End---
>
>
>
>
> Emma Quinn Director of Live & Media Arts
> ---------------------------------------
>
> Institute of Contemporary Arts The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH
> --------------------------------------- t: +44 (0)20 7766 1415 e:
> [log in to unmask] w: www.ica.org.uk <http://www.ica.org.uk/>
>
> Dogs Ears
>
> Online Art
>
> www.ica.org.uk/dogsears
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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