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
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Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH
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t: +44 (0)20 7766 1415
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w: www.ica.org.uk <http://www.ica.org.uk/>
Dogs Ears
Online Art
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