AMAAS 8th Annual CONFERENCE, 2007
“media evolutions & revolutions’
June 22 – 24, 2007, University of Lethbridge, Alberta
The Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society (amaas) hosts some of Canada’s most innovative contemporary media artists during “media art: evolutions & revolutions”, June 22 – 24 at the University of Lethbridge.
PHOTOS
VIDEO – THE Interviews, courtesy of Tim Folkmann
2007 amaas commission, Kisses & Tears by Adolfo Ruiz
(please visit Adolfo’s portfolio)
amaas 8th Annual Conference was a Blast!
The amaas 8th annual Conference, “media evolutions & revolutions” was held in a beautiful and inspiring setting at the University of Lethbridge campus in Lethbridge, AB, June 22-24th, 2007.
Special guest artists included Camille Turner (Toronto), Deirdre Logue (Toronto), Michael Campbell (Toronto), Wes Borg (Edmonton) and Tim Folkmann (Edmonton). The landscape and people made for an exciting opportunity to share work, discuss issues, network, and relax.
The number of participants, including delegates, guest artists, and Conference organizers totaled 39. People attended from member centres EMMEDIA, FAVA, Metro, CSIF, NUTV and QAS, and there were 8 independent media artists attending for the first time!
The Conference then kicked off with the premiere screening of Prairie Tales 9, the amaas commissioned film “Kisses and Tears” by Adolfo Ruiz (Edmonton), and an amaas historical short by The evening continued with cocktails and conversation on the East Patio, and participants were treated to a beautifully calm night and a spectacular view of the coulees.
Saturday was a full day of workshops, lectures, and animated discussion. Camille Turner presented “Digital Art: Play and Intervention”; demonstrating how digital art can work for social change. Deirdre Logue’s session, “Beyond Local: Distributing Media Art”, saw her facilitating a lively dialogue on the logistics of distribution for Alberta artists. Wes Borg’s “New Tubes and the Internet Stars” provoked much discussion surrounding the “new” tube and internet distribution, and Michael Campbell shared recent projects and his digital media teaching practices and philosophy with his presentation, “Contemporary Art and the Mediascape”.
After dinner Saturday evening, partipants were treated to the launch of a special amaas history project, researched and written by Kevin Allen. Kevin’s publication, “Sweet Sixteen: An amble through the history of the Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society ” was commissioned by amaas on the occassion of amaas’ sixteenth anniversary. The festivities continued with presentation of the Spirit of Helen award, an award created in 2005 in memory of Helen Folkmann. The 2007 recipient of the Spirit of Helen award was Edmonton filmmaker Sheryle Carlson. Partying conference participants then relocated to the East Patio for wine and dessert, and to view, and take part in, a series of video installations by Tim Folkmann (“Art = Everywhere”). Conference participants were featured in ‘warped head’ screenings, and a ‘security cam jam’.
Sunday included the amaas Annual General Meeting and the election of a new executive.
Serving amaas in 2007/08 are Marsh Murphy, President; Melody Jacobson, Vice-President; Peter Curtis Morgan; Teasurer; and Coleen Sharpe, Secretary.
The Conference was capped off with quick hike of the coulees which included a picnic lunch at the river and the creation of a number of “found art” sculptures.
Conference Feeback – the good stuff!
“I REALLY ENJOYED THE DIVERSITY OF THE GUEST SPEAKERS/TOPICS.
I LOVED THE GUESTS. EVERYONE WAS SO APPROACHABLE AFTER THEIR PRESENTATION. I APPRECIATED THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK AFTERWARDS BUT ALSO TO SEE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE WORKING ON. THE LOCATION WAS SO BEAUTIFUL…”
Michelle Wong
“The presenters were all great….a good diversity of approaches and topics. A non-media arts attendee found the conference relevant to her job at the Nickel Arts Museum. Yay! Always great for networking. Food, etc. all wonderful It was really well organized overall. Great job!”
Kari McQeen
“I had a great time at my first amaas conference. I enjoyed meeting the presenters from out of town and appreciated their connections to Alberta and specifically Lethbridge. Food was good – and the location superb! (I’m a bit biased, I think)”
Hannah Wigle
“The conference was awesome!
I think the presentations were informative and Sat afternoon was full of hot tidbits and discussion – I think people, including myself, were wanting more!
Highlights: the DIY screening with Tim’s footage – cool! As a Global Visions Film Fest member rep, I was impressed, happy and open to doing more as a member, just let us know. Next year: more panel discussions on what we can do collectively to make media arts more accessible and fun for Alberta!
Thanks for another great conference, and again, I am deeply honored to have received the ‘spirit of helen’ award.”
Sheryle Carlson
“The presenters were diverse and their topics were engaging and important.”
Arya Boustani
“Really liked the combination of guests: all very engaging and professional. Liked the emphasis on artists’ practices, Deirdre was the stand out for me. The U of L was wonderful, beautiful location, liked the accommodation and food was great. I enjoyed the conference very much this year.”
Melody Jacobson
The explosion of personal media creation, and new internet forums for exhibition, are challenging traditional notions of ‘media art’, contemporary art practice, and popular culture.
Making media art – what does it mean today? “media art: evolutions & revolutions” will explore these issues, discuss ways independent artists can assert their work in a hyper-dense mediascape, and at the same time, foster media art as a powerful tool for community connection.
From YouTube, to radical art interventions in public spaces, guest artists from across Canada will share their perspectives, and lead discussion about the rapidly expanding possibilities of media art.
Presenters at the amaas Conference include Camille Turner (Toronto) “Digital Art: Play & Intervention”; Michael Campbell (Lethbridge) “Contemporary Art & the Mediascape”; Deirdre Logue (Toronto) “Beyond Local: Distributing Media Art”; Wes Borg (Edmonton) “New Tubes & the Internet Stars”; and Tim Folkmann (Edmonton) “Everywhere=Art”.
See Artists’ Bios…
The Conference also features the premiere screening of Prairie Tales 9, a collection of new work from Alberta media artists; the premiere of a new work by Adolfo Ruiz, winner of the 2007 amaas commission; and the presentation of the Spirit of Helen Award to filmmaker Sheryle Carlson. (See biographies and information about awards attached.)
The conference will welcome over 70 media artists and experts from across Alberta and Canada and takes place at the University of Lethbridge, a respected centre for contemporary art.
The Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society is a non-profit service organization that promotes media artists in Alberta through education, advocacy, awards, and communication networks. It has 13 members across the province, including media art production centres and festivals.
amaas ANNOUNCES 2007 AWARD WINNERS
2007 amaas commission – Adolfo Ruiz
2007 Spirit of Helen Award – Sheryle Carlson
Read More…
For more information, contact conference@amaas.ca
