Re: <nettime> ISEA 2011 fees

[Andreas Broeckmann <ab@dortmunder-u.de>]

dear friends,

> What I would like to see coming out of  this discussion is not a 
> critique directed towards ISEA, but a comprehensive and constructive 
> critique (and action) surrounding the way these events are 
> conceived, whom they are targeting, how we can (can we?) come out 
> with alternatives.

i think what would help would be to hear from some people what they 
think about ISEA and why they think it is important. the frustration 
that has been voiced here about the istanbul fees is a clear sign 
that there is a great desire to go and participate in ISEA2011, and i 
think it would be important to understand what people are expecting 
in order to know how to either change the system of ISEA, or invent 
alternatives.

in my own understanding, ISEA has always been some sort of a bastard 
between an academic conference, with peer reviewing and all, (which 
is important for the participants because of the "career credits" 
that they can gain), and an open forum for current trends in 
electronic art and digital culture. because ISEA is generally not 
curated like some of the big international festivals (ars 
electronica, transmediale, future-everything, etc.), but is open to 
participation through the jury process, it often is less focused, but 
offers a great mix of approaches (and of quality levels, too...). 
there is, i think, no comparable venue for academics working in 
electronic and media art to 'compare notes' regularly. but for the 
liveliness of ISEA it is vital to involve artists and free-lancers 
who can normally not afford the fees that are standard for an 
academic conference.

but that's just my idea of it.

what do *you* think?

regards,
-a


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