hello world
> If all the network is a stage, what is the role of the curator and
> where is it located?
maybe i can extend this to artist or artist/curator, by way of
introducing a new project?
(had i not lost my voice somewhere between brussels and rotterdam, i
would have presented it at Radiator last saturday.)
briefly, 'charade' (http://www.charade.org.uk} is a new work in
development for the BBC/ACE 'private view' commission.
it's a live artwork performed by the population of a UK region - the
West Midland/Birmingham in this instance ; they form a peer-to-peer
(p2p) network in an attempt to 'become' a tv/radio programme, play,
book, film, piece of music etc.; they gather at workshops and a live
event in spring 06.
i mention p2p here, as 'the network' comes in various shapes: each
formal or technical definition has its own affordances, as well as
subsequent legal, cultural constraints and so on once it gets
implemented.
in charade, we're inviting our volunteers to join a p2p network,
rather than the 'star' network that 's traditionally used by
broadcasters, (such as the BBC) to define the relationship with
their audience. while there's a desire on my part to work with our
volunteers as a network of peers contractually the project defines a
star network, with me at the centre.
it follows that it's me who has to sign the clause that ensures that
there'll be no copyright infringement. which presents me with a
problem: if i'm inviting a near-infinite number of volunteers to
describe, remember and recall copyrighted material in public then i'm
in trouble.
the solution? so far, we've pushed responsibility for this back into
the network: the 'star' shape with me at the centre/hub suddenly
flips back into being a p2p network, everyone involved in the
project has equal responsibility for their use of copyrighted
material, with this 'peering agreement' being defined contractually
in the 'terms & conditions' agreed by each volunteer as they register.
as a consequence of this, there can be no claim by me as artist/
curator over the rights inherent in each volunteer's 'performance'.
it's their attempt to 'become' - not mine.
in theory it seems like a workable solution to a legal/technical
problem which i'm hoping will open-up some interesting relationships
between artist/curator and audience/participants/volunteers.
we shall see....
best,
simon
www.ambulantscience.org
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