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Thanks to people who commented on streaming media earlier (my original message was really intended for Sarah Cook only but, it was helpful to receive people's responses). Honor Hager, from the Tate, helped to organize a conference on streaming last October in Amsterdam (http://net.congestion.org/). From looking at the site, it seems like the offerings were extremely interesting making for a generous series of events. Did anyone on the list attend that conference? If so, please comment on the most interesting and helpful offerings. As I wrote Sarah earlier, I've only recently accepted the task of organizing something (as guest curataor) tentatively called "The Arts and Streaming Media" Summit and Workshops, August 16 - 18th, 2001 at the American Film Institute. The project is under the aegis of the "New Media Ventures" department and will take place concurrently with SIGGRAPH (though unrelated) in Los Angeles. The commercial overtones are pretty clear still, I appreciate that AFI has selected a former museum curator (me) to work with them on this. With pretty short deadlines and a small budget, I'm hoping to make the days meaningful to those who attend (on site and on the net). Many of the topice covered in net.congestion conference are still pertinent in my opinion (and I love the idea of holding a mock courtroom debate on Napster and intellectual property rights, for example). Whatever eventually takes place in LA this fall will be framed by a "big institution." Media artists in this town are gaining strength--especially but not exclusively those with ties to universities--but their work is often overshadowed by "the industry". If you had access (as an artist or curator)to AFI (archives, equipment, support staff), what--if anything--would you do with it re: streaming? Is anyone going to attend SIGGRAPH this year? Has anyone on the list submitted work to SIGGRAPH's exhibition? Due to the limited financial resources, I doubt that international streaming events can be supported (ironically) this time at AFI, though I'm open to entertaining constructive suggestions. There are many artists whose work (over some years) has involved making live "art bridges" via satellite and/or telephone lines. Some are now working with and on the net. Would including examples of their work, leading to current examples of streaming media art be of interest? Looking at the so-called "high and low aesthetic" issues from independent artists to industry makers could be in the mix. Thoughts? Public television, cable, radio all need to be addressed vis-a-vis what kinds of partnerships (if any) are being offered, or that will be made in the future with artists (as well as defining under what terms). Does anyone have experience in this regard? With some exceptions, most of the presenters and mentors will be from California this August (a limit of the budget). We will try to have people participate remotely. Regarding other discussions on the list, here are a couple of questions regarding recent exhibitions in the States (010101, Telematic Presence (?), BitStreams, etc.): 1. Are results of co-curated exhibitions more or less satisfying (if they are) than exhibitions (or portions of exhibitions) curated by a single individual? 2. What are the most meaningful ways of evaluating an exhibiton's "success" from the visitor's p.o.v.? One-on-one interviews? Observation of time spent in the galleries? Attendance figures? Comments in comment books or on-line? 3. Since the "museumification" problem exists - what are the most constructive ways of making their work with net.artists...with artists in general...more responsibly responsive?