Matrix: Intersections in Art and Technology

The advent of digital technologies has arguably been the most important development for contemporary art practice since the invention of photography. New media art has recently been the subject of major exhibitions in Europe and the USA. At the same time the use of remote technologies is allowing artists to move beyond the gallery to exhibit and distribute their work, severing a reliance on traditional institutions, and catalysing new social sub-cultures and networks. New forms of artistic practice are emerging, which are entirely specific to digital culture. This course aims to give an overview of new media art, providing participants with a technical and theoretical understanding of its varied practices, as well as opening up aesthetic, philosophical and political questions. The course is led by Honor Harger, Webcasting Curator at Tate Modern.

18 February
Beyond the Technical
Technology-based art can sometimes seem loaded with technical terms and jargon. The range of devices, tools and mechanisms can sometimes appear mystifying. This session will provide a clear introduction to the terms and technology employed by artists in the creation, distribution and display of new media art.
Clive Gillman, Lead artist at the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology, Liverpool

25 February
Probing History
This session will examine the role of computers and other technologies in the history of art, probing the origins and precursors of contemporary art and technology practice.
Charlie Gere, Course Director of MA Digital Art History, Birkbeck University of London

4 March
Internet Art
The internet has created a new space for artists to exhibit and distribute their work, profoundly different to the realms of the traditional gallery or museum. This session examine work made speifically for the internet, looking at how it differs from other forms of contemporary art.
Julian Stallabrass, Lecturer at The Courtauld Institute & author of Internet Art (Tate Publishing 2001)

11 March
Art and Social Networks
How have new media artists used networked spaces such as the airwaves, the internet and satellite networks as sites for artistic intervention? This session will look at the work of collectives and creative radio projects in order to consider networked communication environments from a social perspective.
Eric Kluitenberg, media theorist & project coordinator, De Balie, Amsterdam

18 March
Innovation & Momentum
This final session will ask how the speed of technological innovation impacts on artists working in new media. Looking at work by artists such as Susan Collins, Blast Theory and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, it will analyse and question the meaning of 'innovation' in technology driven art.
Peter Ride, Director of Digital Arts Agency, Bristol & Lecturer at Westminster University, London

This course runs on five Monday evenings from 18 February - 18 March, 18.30-20.00.
The fee is £60 (concessions £45). This includes admission to Surveillance and Control, a symposium being held on Saturday 9 March in the Starr Auditorium at Tate Modern.

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