http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2953331&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1
weareten from Earle Martin on Vimeo.
As you read this, I’ll be flying to Berlin for the annual New Media bash, Transmediale. I’m not that interested in the actual main event, which although having some interesting content, is far too reliant upon art institutions sending out curators and other organisers in the hope that they’ll pick up some new media nous.
What I’m actually interested in are the far more interesting fringe events around Transmediale – and, to a certain extent, the organisers have managed to work out that the fringes are the place where interesting stuff happens, hence the creation of Club Transmediale. This year, the Club part of Transmediale holds work by artists involved with PickledFeet amongst others, whose output of group-supportive work using electronics and open source is miles away from the dry academic nature of the main conference.
And, while those concerned with exhibiting New Media as an artform find themselves increasing pushed for budgets, those concerned with using new media tools for a living – and for art – are having a great time. The footage above, shot by Earle Martin, shows the live-coding team of slub at the celebration of the mailing list (void)‘s ten year anniversery.
The rambunctious nature of (void), the work of slub, and the efforts put in by PickledFeet, all point to a shared culture that you won’t find within the lectures of Transmediale. And that’s a shame – because all the right people will be there. What is it that’s stopping New Media from being as exciting in the gallery, as it is in the rest of the world?
