The Inter-Society for the Electronic Arts presents

CALL FOR PAPERS & PARTICIPATION

THE SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ELECTRONIC ART

ISEA96

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

September 16-20, 1996


Including DEAF, the Dutch Electronic Art Festival
September 17-22, 1996, organized by the V2 Organization

In cooperation with the R96 Festival 'Media Man'
September 16-29, 1996, organized by Rotterdam Festivals

The ISEA-Symposia are sponsored by ISEA, the Inter-Society for the Electronic Arts and co-sponsored by Leonardo/ISAST, the International Society for the Arts, Sciences & Technology

ISEA96
POB 8656, 3009 AR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Tel/fax 31-10-4778605
e-Mail isea96@hro.nl

ISEA Website: HTTP://WWW.xs4all.nl/~isea


GENERAL INFORMATION

The Seventh International Symposium on Electronic Art ISEA96
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
September 16-20, 1996

From September 16-20, 1996 the Seventh International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA96) will take place in the modern city of Rotterdam. Organizer is the Rotterdam Academy of Art & Design, part of H.R.&O. Rotterdam Regional College (Hogeschool Rotterdam & Omstreken)
Included in ISEA96 is DEAF, the third Dutch Electronic Art Festival, organized by the V2 Organization. ISEA96 and DEAF are part of R96, 'the Media Man', a festival organized by Rotterdam Festivals.

SYMPOSIUM SERIES
The ISEA96 Symposium is a continuation of the succesful series:
First ISEA: 1988, Utrecht, Holland
Second ISEA: 1990, Groningen, Holland
Third ISEA: 1992, Sydney, Australia
Fourth ISEA: 1993, Minneapolis, USA
Fifth ISEA: 1994, Helsinki, Finland
Sixth ISEA: 1995, Montreal, Canada
(The 8th ISEA will take place: 1997, Chicago, USA)

ISEA96 is:
-An Academic Symposium, consisting of Paper & Panel sessions, Poster sessions, Round tables and Institutional presentations, mainly juried.
-Preceded by Workshops & Tutorials
-Accompanied by Concerts, Performances, Electronic Theater, an Exhibition, Publications and Public Events.

DEAF is:
-A curated Exhibition, accompanied by a Symposium, Performances and Special events. It is a continuation of the former annual V2 'Event for Malleable Media'. R96 is: -The 'R' stands for Rotterdam. A festival for the general public, spread over the city, including the specialized events ISEA96 and DEAF. The 'R-events' are annual international cultural and art events around the relationship between art, people and city. R96 questions the influence of electronic technology on people.

This Call for Participation invites proposals for all of the above mentioned events.

TARGET GROUPS
The event targets various groups, ranging from specialists to the general public. The Symposia (ISEA96 and the DEAF symposium) are oriented towards both scientific and artistic experts in the field. The Workshops & Tutorials are intended for teachers, students and practicing artists. The Exhibitions, Concerts and Performances aim at the general cultural public. The Public Events aim at the general public at large.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The aim of the symposia and the parent organization (also called ISEA) is to systematically investigate the problems and potentials of electronic art and to further inter-disciplinary and inter-organizational cooperation. For the purpose of the symposium, Electronic Art is defined as 'all art forms that use electronic technology as an essential prerequisite for their production'.
The symposium will be held from Wednesday September 18 to Friday September 20, in the city center of Rotterdam.

TOPICS
Topics include: Computer graphics, computer animation, image processing, electronic and computer music, video art, interactive installations including VR, art & robotics, computer poetry and literature, computer aided dance, integration and synchronization of electronic art forms, research & development of new electronic media, aesthetics of electronic art, electronic art & electronic culture, interfaces for artists, etc etc.

THEMES
Special emphasis will be given to the following Themes:
-Networked Art (see below: 'Digital Territories')
-Design and the Web
-Education as a Bridge between Technology and Art.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Peter Beyls (Belgium)
Paul Brown (Australia)
Mike Chanowski (Neth.)
Rene Coelho (Neth.)
Anton van Gemert (Neth.)
Michael Girard (USA)
Craig Harris (USA)
Theo Hesper (Neth.)
Raymond Lauzzana (USA)
Pierre Levy (France)
Thomas Linehan (USA)
Roger Malina (USA)
Alain Mongeau (Can.)
Jos de Mul (Neth.)
Cynthia Beth Rubin (USA)
Joel Ryan (Neth.)
Keisuke Oki (Japan)
Christine Schopf (Austria)
Roman Verostko (USA)
John Vince (UK)
Iannis Xenakis (France)
Siegfried Zielinski (Germany)

CALL FOR PAPERS ISEA SYMPOSIUM
ISEA96 invites papers to be given during the symposium. Proposals for Panels, Round Tables, Poster Sessions and Institutional Presentations are also welcome. All proposals must be directly related to the above mentioned topics. Proposals that relate to the above mentioned themes are especially encouraged.
-Papers can be short (20 minutes) or long (45 minutes). The Papers will be published in the ISEA96 Proceedings, to be published after the event. A selection of the best papers will appear in a forthcoming issue of Leonardo, the Journal of the International Society for the Arts, Sciences & Technology (ISAST). All Papers must be original, unpublished and in English. Please note that only an abstract of maximum 500 words is required for the first deadline (January 1st, 1996). After a pre- selection, the authors will be requested to send their full materials, including illustrations.
-Panel proposals should contain a description of the proposed panel members.
-Round Tables are discussions that any participant can join (sign-up during the symposium), so no list of panel mebers is required.
-Poster Sessions are rather informal presentations of research or art practice, with the aid of audiovisual equipment. They are not meant as performances but as presentations of interesting examples in order to trigger discussion.
-Institutional Presentations are meant to introduce institutes, organizations, festivals etc in the field of the electronic arts. In principle, all relevant proposals will be accepted, but it must be noted that presenters in this category have no free admission to the symposium.

DEAF SYMPOSIUM
The DEAF Symposium will be held during one day within the time frame of the ISEA96 symposium and at the same location. It will be on the theme 'Digital Territories' (see below). Although this symposium is curated, proposals for free papers will be considered.

WORKSHOPS & TUTORIALS
Workshops and tutorials will be held on Monday, September 16 and Tuesday, September 17. Proposals can be for a half day session, a full day session or two day sessions.
Tutorial proposals should aim at introducing professionals from the art world to one or more of the fields of electronic art (see above for a list of topics).
Workshop proposals should aim at both local teachers and students in the field of the electronic arts (including music) and at Symposium participants. Proposals can cover any field of electronic art. Workshop proposals that aim at integrating electronic art in more traditional art forms are especially welcome. Since available equipment at this stage is limited, it is important to indicate the equipment requirements as completely as possible in the proposal.

CONCERTS & PERFORMANCES
During the ISEA96 Symposium, probably on Thursday September 19, an evening of Concerts and Performances will be staged in a 500 seat theater. This evening is meant for both the Symposium Participants and the general cultural public.The proposed Concerts & Performances should preferably be no longer than 20 minutes, although this is not a prerequisite. Proposers should include their equipment requirements in the proposal. A selection will be made on the following criteria:
Aesthetic quality, Originality (preference given to premieres) and Inter-disciplinarity.

OUTDOOR & PUBLIC SPACES
Since the 'R96' Festival, of which ISEA96 is a part, aims at the general public at large -which, by the way, is culturally diverse in Rotterdam- a special call for proposals is included here. Proposals are welcomed for Performances, Concerts and Installations that can be shown or performed in public spaces and/or in the open air and will attract the positive attention of the ordinary passer-by. More information on the city of Rotterdam is available if desired.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Two large-scale public events are being planned for which proposals are invited. They are meant as part of R96 and as ISEA96 Special Events.
1. The Reality of Virtual Reality
During ISEA96 the large harbor simulator of MarineSafety Rotterdam will be used for an artistic project. The simulator consists of 360 o visuals, 3D sound and a moving platform (the pilothouse) with two degrees of freedom. The computersystem consists of 22 SGI Crimsons and a DEC Vax. The idea is to travel with groups of 10-15 people through an artistic impression of Rotterdam in the year 2096. Interactive special effects should make it even more attractive. We are aiming to make the event accessible via the WWW and the two way cable system that will be available in Rotterdam.
Artists that think they may be able to contribute (visuals, ideas), can request an information package.
2. Virtual Community
This is a networked event, that anybody can join into. The idea is to build a virtual city, where anyone can have his/her own room. Icons in the room reveal the interests of this particular person. People with compatible interests will have a possibility to be connected to each other. Incompatible interests will generate other effects. For the public, there are 4 levels of joining this event:
-By phone and TV, or by phone and teletext
-Via computer and WWW or via two-way cable
-Via special locations in town, with CD-i players and ISDN connections
-Via a central location, with computers.
Artists with experience in this kind of telematic, communal art and a desire to contribute ideas can request an information package.

EXHIBITIONS

JURIED EXHIBITION
Proposals for the exhibition of prints, slides, videotapes, interactive installations, computer aided sculpture, etc are welcomed for the ISEA96 general exhibition. Also, proposals for complete exhibitions will be considered. Proposals should clearly describe the contents of the materials to be submitted, the necessary prerequisites (including hard and software, audio- visual equipment, necessary assistance, etc) and include audio and/or visual material (pictures, tapes, etc) to give an impression of the work.
All submitters whose work is selected will receive a letter of acknowledgement including a possible request to use materials for ISEA96 publicity. All participants will be credited properly for their work and the best of the entries will be shown to the international press during a press conference.

DIGITAL TERRITORIES - NONLOCATED ONLINE
Is the theme of DEAF, the Dutch Electronic Art Festival, curated by the V2 Organization (Rotterdam). DEAF96 will curate an exhibition, performances, a symposium as part of the ISEA program and other activities that investigate the electronic network as a platform for the arts.
What strategies do artists develop in these networks? What kind of art is presented in these networks? How do artists cope with the myths about the network? How can they reveal the underlying structures of this information space? How do artists deal with the visualization of the scientific, mythological, political and cultural information that merges in the network? What metaphors can represent the time and space structures of the net? How do we look at the world and ourselves through the net?
This exhibition is intended to discuss the network in all its aspects and wants to show, give direction to and discuss developments that are unfolding in the net. People will be able to participate in projects, discussions and performances that will link people in and outside the net. You can already have a look at the V2 Webserver:
HTTP://WWW.vpro.nl/www/arteria/V2onW3/Icons/V2Page.html

DESIGN AND THE WEB
A special exhibition, and possibly lectures, will be organized in cooperation with the Netherlands Design Institute. The theme of this exhibition is the Design of Websites. We are looking for Websites that are particularly interesting both from an aesthetic and structural point of view. The selected Websites will be copied and connected to each other, in order to create an exhibition on the Web, accessible from anywhere. We are also interested in Websites that are (the basis of) artistic projects. Before the first deadline we just require Web addresses (URLs).

ELECTRONIC THEATER
A Film & Video Show will be held during ISEA96. Individuals and institutes are invited to submit the best and most recent examples of their work in the fields of computer animation, image processing and video art. Besides autonomous pieces, the submission of applied work, such as commercials with aesthetic qualities, is explicitly invited. A selection will be included in the Electronic Theater program, a broader selection will be shown at the exhibition site.
All submitters whose work is selected will receive a letter of acknowledgement including a possible request to use materials for ISEA96 publicity. All participants will be credited properly for their work and the best of the entries will be shown to the international press during a press conference.

ROTTERDAM REGIONAL COLLEGE (H.R.&O.)
Rotterdam Regional College (Hogeschool Rotterdam & Omstreken, H.R.& O.) is one of the largest colleges in The Netherlands, with some 13000 students and 1700 staff. In the 19th century, the Academy of Fine Arts and Technical Science (1851) and the Nautical School (1833) together laid the foundation for the Rotterdam College. In 1988, seventeen other institutes were added to them and the Rotterdam Regional College came into being. Four departments accommodate five sectors of higher education:
Technology, Health Care, Social Welfare, Education and Fine Arts.

The Fine Arts Department is cooperating closely with the Education and Technical Departments for ISEA96.

ROTTERDAM ACADEMY OF ART AND DESIGN
The Rotterdam Academy of Art & Design is part of the Department of Art & Architecture of the Rotterdam Regional College. It is subsidized and supervized by the Dutch government in accordance with the Higher Education and Research Act. It originates from a painters' association set up in 1773, which in 1851 merged with the Association of Visual Arts and Technical Science. Former students include Willem de Kooning and other very succesful artists.
Studies in autonomous arts include 2-D and 3-D Design and Mixed Media (which includes Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, etc) and applied studies include Illustration, Graphic Design, Audiovisual Design, Fashion Design, Interior Architecture and Commercial Design. In 1995, the Academy starts Post Graduate studies in Autonomous Art based on the view that there is 'an undivided relationship between art, technology and science.' Preparations are taking place to start an inter-departemental Multi-Media facility at the Academy for the College at large.

For ISEA96 the H.R.&O. cooperates with:
-ISEA-NL
-V2
-Rotterdam Festivals
-the Rotterdam Academy of Music
-Erasmus University Rotterdam
-Spirit/Rotterdam City Development Corporation
-The Rotterdam Art Council
-the Netherlands Design Institute
-theater Lantaren/Venster
-BSO Medialab
-Philips Interactive Media Systems
-the Virtual Reality Society
-WDS Dutch Dynamic Media Design
-PH Design
and many others

ISEA96
POB 8656, 3009 AR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Tel/fax 31-10-4778605
e-Mail isea96@hro.nl

ISEA Website: HTTP://WWW.xs4all.nl/~isea
ISEA96 Website: http://www.eur.nl/ISEA96

REPLY FORM

Note: All proposals, papers or other entries should be accompanied by a first page stating full name, address and position of the author(s), the title and a short abstract of the contents.
Send to:
ISEA96
POB 8656, 3009 AR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Tel/fax 31-10-4778605, e-Mail isea96@hro.nl
Courier mail (only!) to: ISEA, St. Jobsweg 30, 3024 EJ Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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