La Biennale internationale de l'art numérique de Montréal (BIAN) - AUTOMATA

Abstract

Although a relatively young manifestation, our biennale has quickly forged a strong reputation in the international media art scene, for the high caliber of work presented around timely thematics. Our event is unique and important to the network of media art practitioners for several reasons: 1) Montreal is the gateway between North America and Europe. We are strategically positioned to stimulate the cultural exchanges between the main poles of creation in the field, but also to expand the network into emerging hubs worldwide. Switzerland was the invited country for the 2016 biennial, but the exhibit included 10 artists from China and South Korea. Australia, South Africa, Colombia and Brazil were also represented; 2) Montreal offers a vibrant bilingual context of thriving cultural and creative industries in new technological media. Our biennale is centred on experimental applied research-creation, so it attracts communities of students, researchers, professionals, artists, cultural and creative entrepreneurs; 3) We present established artists alongside emerging artists. We curate amongst the most recent practices but we also revisit the work of pioneers of media art. For example, in 2018 we will be commissioning a reinterpretation of Robert Rauschenberg’s Open Score (1966). The theme AUTOMATA will be carried on into 2018. In 2016 the theme was Art Made by Machines for Machines featuring works of art that defy the construct of singularity: the moment when machines, in the broader sense, will be as – or more – intelligent than humanity. The June 2018 edition, on the theme of Augmented Bodies, will be co-curated between Alain Thibault (ELEKTRA) and Peter Weibel (ZKM, Karlsruhe). The programming will include a 2-day conference co-organized between ELEKTRA, Milieux Institute (Concordia University), and Hexagram – the International Network for Research-Creation in Media Arts, Design, Technology and Digital Culture. We believe MAH delegates will be most interested in knowing about, and prepare their participation in our 2018 programming. We have engaging visuals and materials to display and give away.