Time to talk : Amsterdam, Winter 2009
From Develop
(October 13th, 2008) Hello Network,
Sorry if this is a bit vague at this moment. I quickly mentioned that in Skopje and not much more info is available right now. Please add your comments and contributions on there.
We, Upgrade! is being invited to an event called Winter Camp in the winter in Amsterdam, organized by the Institute of Network Cultures (INC) http://www.networkcultures.org
The gathering will be a time for us, as a network to talk, outside of our regular events and without the pressure of having to produce the event and any exhibitions etc, ourselves.
This is the general proposal from the INC:
"The Winter Camp format is a mix of a conference and workshop with the emphasis on getting things done. It will be a four day program of workspaces/workgroups and plenary presentations, in which a dozen groups[networks] (10-15 people each) can work on specific current topics. This specific format was inspired by the special card box architecture, built by Paco Gonzalez for the 10th edition of the Zemos98 festival in Seville, Spain, in March 2008 (http://www.zemos98.org/spip.php?article891?rubrique=19). When a network settles down, and is suddenly not so new anymore, it can be quite a challenge to keep it's activity level. Should a network then transform into a so-called "organized network"? Organizing a network does not mean canceling spontaneity and making way for rules and hierarchy: it can provide a place for sustainable knowledge sharing and production. As Ned Rossiter argues in his book Organized Networks (2006), face-to face meetings are crucial "if the network is to maintain momentum, revitalize energy, consolidate old friendships and discover new ones, recast ideas, undertake further planning activities, and so on." The event is therefore meant for those networks and (potential) network members that cry for support to gather in real life, conspire, discuss and make the necessary steps forward. Winter Camp does not have an (academic) educational or training component, even if there is a lot to learn."
The funding is still pending for the event, so this is not yet 100% confirmed but I thought I would start a small discussion now about it since the topics, anyways are interesting for Upgrade!.
Some points to think about: (please add comments) :
-Our network description, past, present and future perspectives.
An ever-growing network, upwards of 30 nodes at present time, started in 1999 in NYC. Mandate: Upgrade! is an international, emerging network of autonomous nodes united by art, technology, and a commitment to bridging cultural divides. Its decentralized, non-hierarchical structure ensures that Upgrade! (i) operates according to local interests and their available resources; and (ii) reflects current creative engagement with cutting edge technologies. While individual nodes present new media projects, engage in informal critique, and foster dialogue and collaboration between individual artists, Upgrade! International functions as an online, global network that gathers bi-annually in different cities to meet one another, showcase local art, and work on the agenda for the following year. Past goals have been to grow the network and get new nodes all across the world. Present goals include to create cross-network collaborations and improve our online tools. Future perspectives include discovering our need for "organization" and finding out how to sustain the network.
-Who wants to / should participate from Upgrade! (up to 10 people)?
Jo-Anne Green (Boston) Marika Dermineur (Paris)
-What are our main goal for this event in relation to your network?
We meet bi-annually but these events are very centered on the local context and on festival activities. This event will provide us the opportunity to discuss more critical network issues outside of a production and event situation. It is an ideal opportunity for us to address on some issues that are touchy or less festive than our infrequent bi-annual gatherings which generally focus on the respective local context.
Jo: Given that some nodes are inactive, others dead, should we persist in encouraging new nodes to start? Does the network have a threshold? That is, can it grow too big to sustain itself (this is mostly a question for future hosts of Upgrade! International). What can we learn from other networks? Can we network with/in other networks?
Tegan: I wont be able to attend but would am wondering about my own situation - particularly with the JHB Art Fair Selection (that will be coming together at about the same time) and the kinds of groups that exist within the network. For instance the Eastern European, European, North American, "south" orientated nodes. These are geographical organised to understand and collaborate more easily. Yet there is the potential of isolating nodes through these natural and practical collaborations or is this healthy network behaviour? How do we understand networks with in the network?
more ideas? points? comments?
This is still kind of far away, but feel free to get involved.
+++Kyd
