Media Scape as an example of curating practice in new media art

Abstract

I will analyse early curating practices of new media, as well as relationship between artistic and scientific research practice on example of Media Scape. It was an international meeting of media artists which took place in Zagreb, once a year between 1993 and 1999. Curators, founders and organizers were Ingeborg Fülepp and Heiko Daxl. Media Scape in poster session will be analysed from several perspectives. First, through connections between presentation of art and technology, second as a significant event at that time with almost one hundred and forty artists and scientists. Third, from today’s perspective, in context of development of curating practices of new media and digital art. Media Scape is chosen because it is a very good example of curating practice. It has two parts; exhibition and symposium, it gathers and connects media artists, curators and scientists, and themes of each meeting were relevant in context of development of new media art. Today, curating practices of new media art still trying to find the best ways to present and preserve artworks. As Christiane Paul wrote “Collaborative exchange has become a fundamental part of artistic new media practice and has affected notions of the artwork and authorship, which in turn have fundamental consequences for curatorial practice and presentation of the art. This artistic process in new media creation to a large extent relies on collaborative models, which manifest themselves on various levels.” Today Media Scape still exists online as a small digital archive of curating practice of that time.