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Fusion: Art, Science and Technology |
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Virus by Alicia Keys, is one of many ANAT artworks incorporating new technology.
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Images of microscopic blood cells splashed across canvas, or viruses trapped in miniature sculptures are just some of the creative new pieces to be seen gracing Australia's art scene.
Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT) is Australia's leading cultural organization, delivering initiatives that enable Australian artists to engage with emerging technologies and produce new work both locally and globally. ANAT presents and promotes new creativities, emerging and experimental media, sound and art-science practices to develop audiences, create awareness and encourage dialogue. By fostering enterprise, collaboration and innovation, ANAT is building sustainability and vitality in the sector.
As a network of people creatively engaged with emerging technologies, ANAT is committed to enriching the cultural context in which we operate. We do this by introducing skills, resources and ideas into diverse communities and by presenting the following programs, projects and events;
Synapse
For the past decade, the Australian Network for Art & Technology has provided opportunities for artists and scientists to work together. Collaborations between the arts and sciences have the potential to create new knowledge, ideas and processes beneficial to both fields.
ANAT continues its dedication to the art research science program's expansion and growth and includes the delivery of the Synapse initiative in partnership with the Australia Council for the Arts, which comprises of residencies, an online database and a moderated email discussion list. Synapse residencies support intensive partnerships between media artists and science institutions in Australia and beyond. ANAT will be announcing the successful recipients at their art research science launch on August 17th in Sydney.
Emerging Technology Media Labs
ANAT's 2007 still/open emerging technology media labs presents workshops and free public forums that will travel to the cities of Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane during September facilitated by Beatriz da Costa (USA), Alessandro Ludovico (IT) and Andy Nicholson (AU).
still/open focuses on both the practice and theory of open source which can be applied through networked art and software development, print and online publishing, and in the scientific arena where the open science movement encourages a collaborative environment in which science can be pursued by anyone who is inspired to discover something new about the natural world.
ANAT Board Chair, Ms Linda Carroli comments "as an organisation working with artists engaged in knowledge rich and innovative practices, including wearables, bio-art, robotics and nano-tech we are acutely aware of the need to open dialogue across art and industry".
Portable platforms
ANAT believes technology and mobility can change habits and inhabitation of public spaces. These ideas are integral to the concepts behind the portable platforms program that presents pixel.play, regional youth workshops in creative content for mobile phones, which won the 'Innovation in Digital Media Short Screen Award' at the 2007 Adelaide Film Festival.
More recently Portable Worlds, a touring mobile phone exhibition that was showcased at The Pocket Film Festival in Paris this year. portable platforms Project Manager Sasha Grbich has continued to surpass milestones with workshops, touring and mentoring intended to engage artists, young people and communities in producing user-generated work for mobile phones and other technologies.
Professional Development Travel Grant
ANAT's Professional Development Travel Grant works as a quick response fund that supports Australian new media artists to participate in national and international events, projects, residencies and programs. An example of the dynamic possibilities ANAT are assisting is Alicia King, a Tasmanian Bio-Artist, and fund recipient who attended a residency at The Arts and Genomics Centre in the Netherlands, where she participated in the project Go forth and multiply. The project involves the phenomenon of the HIV virus, using visual markers in human tissue infected with HIV, to make the infection visible to the naked eye.
Ending thoughts
Currently undergoing various behind the scenes redevelopment including the strengthening of its four core areas, a redeveloped website to be launched in September, a new Synapse database and the valuable acquisition of some of Australia's best talents, ANAT constantly continues to grow bigger and better.
Executive Director Dr Melinda Rackham comments, "ANAT, like media arts, is metamorphosing and increasing in visibility".
For more information please visit the ANAT website at www.anat.org.au or contact anat@anat.org.au.
ANAT is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council http://www.ozco.gov.au its arts funding and advisory body, by the South Australian Government through Arts SA http://www.arts.sa.gov.au and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments.
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In the next few months ANAT will produce seven events, forums, exhibitions and workshops across the nation including events at BEAP and Electrofringe Festivals.
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ANAT will be screened on ABC TV Arts Sunday which will show a Synapse participants residency and an interview with ANAT director, Melinda Rackham.
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