Fall 2002 Electronic Arts Boom: A Critical Overview
In the fall of 2002, France saw a rise in electronic arts festivals, leading critic Annick Bureaud to evaluate them systematically. She characterized Villette Numérique as resembling a 'large Hollywood special effects production,' while @rt Outsiders was likened to an 'auteur film.' Corps en scène, in collaboration with Lanterna Magika, was described as 'French-style films.' Although Villette Numérique included the intriguing Digi@rt exhibition, it was perceived as a disorganized mix. @rt Outsiders presented Eduardo Kac's 'Genesis' and Daniel Mange's Biowall. Lanterna Magika featured Czech artists until 5 January 2003. Bureaud found Sonic Process at Centre Pompidou (until 6 January 2003) lacking. 1er Contact in Issy-les-Moulineaux highlighted interactive pieces, while Corps en scène (until 13 July 2003) focused on the body in music. Additional events included Terminal Zone, Trans-images, Simulation, and Vera Molnar's 'Hasards prémédités.'
Key facts
- Autumn 2002 saw a profusion of electronic arts festivals and exhibitions in France.
- Annick Bureaud wrote a global analysis instead of individual reviews.
- Villette Numérique was criticized as a confused conglomerate despite some interesting content.
- @rt Outsiders' third edition featured bio-art and artificial life, including Eduardo Kac's Genesis.
- Lanterna Magika at Espace Electra showed three generations of Czech artists until 5 January 2003.
- Sonic Process at Centre Pompidou ran until 6 January 2003 and was deemed perplexing.
- 1er Contact placed interactive works in public space using 'plasma lollipop' furniture.
- Corps en scène at Cité de la Musique ran until 13 July 2003 and was praised for its intelligence.
- Three trends identified: body presence, role of sound, historical recontextualization.
- Other events: Terminal Zone, Trans-images, Simulation, Vera Molnar exhibition.
Entities
Artists
- Annick Bureaud
- Eduardo Kac
- Daniel Mange
- Chu-Yin Chen
- Pesánek
- Malina
- Svoboda
- Woody Vasulka
- Michael Bielicky
- Federico Diaz
- David Shea
- Vincent Lévy
- Du Zhenjun
- Laurie Anderson
- Paik
- Gary Hill
- Sarkis
- Stockhausen
- Kagel
- Madonna
- Bowie
- Kraftwerk
- Augusto de Campos
- Vera Molnar
Institutions
- Cité des Sciences
- École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- Espace Electra
- Centre Pompidou
- Art 3000
- Cité de la Musique
- Galerie contemporaine
- Main d'œuvre
- Abbaye de Maubuisson
- galerie Cour Carrée
Locations
- France
- Issy-les-Moulineaux
- Hérouville Saint-Clair
Sources
- artpress —