The chance to experience cutting edge mixed media in Hong Kong – Telematic art is now a reality! After its ground breaking workshop held last summer, Syneme Labs from Calgary, Canada is in Hong Kong this summer from 4 – 23 July 2011. The Syneme Summer Institute of Telematic Art is an open workshop initiated by Ellen Pearlman, an Asian Cultural Council grantee and Artistic Adviser to Yuanfen Gallery the first gallery of new media in Beijing. This ground breaking summer workshop organized under the FUSE:: residency program of Videotage is now calling for participation. The 3-week program explores the collaborative potential of mixed media/reality and live performance over high-speed networks using the power of 1 GigaByte fiber optic research networks.

Telematic art (Teleart) is a unique new type of artistic collaboration using computer mediated telecommunications networks. The Summer Institute will be using a 12-camera professional motion capture studio at Hong Kong Polytechnic University to record a dancer’s movements and convert it into numerical data that triggers sound, visualization and motion over the network. Past telematic events include ResoNations, an international Telematic music concert with the United Nations, and the highly experimental Indiana Intermedia Festival.

As the program initiator, Ellen Pearlman invites art students, professional artists and musicians without year-round access to high-speed networks to share their ideas and methodologies in progress as related to a telearts project. She believes Hong Kong’s unique energy has great potential to incubate new media art. Telearts is a field that transcends boundaries and is a valuable opportunity for artists from all over the world to join hands and expand their horizons. Attendees will implement projects utilizing Syneme’s (and those of their partner’s) robust network infrastructure carrying HD video and uncompressed multichannel audio.

Recruitment for participants is now open in Hong Kong. Details are as follows:

1. Two Performers / Dancers

The successful candidates will work on the performance with the workshop initiator at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s motion capture studio in Hong Kong. You will wear a motion capture suit to drive the performance. You will learn to use your body as interactive sensors. If you are interested in working in interactive environments, this would be a great opportunity for you!

2. One Sound Artist / Composer

The successful candidate will work on both composing sound and synthesizing existing sound on a tight deadline. The sound will be matched to videos and movement and sent over a telematic network. You will need to know how to work with Abelton Live or Logic Pro. If you know some MAX/MSP that would be perfect.

In addition, we also welcome art students or professional artists and musicians to participate in developing this collaborative performance. The class will meet 3 times a week for 3 hours, for 3 weeks. It is expected that work will be developed outside of class time and in a group setting.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 27 June 2011

This would be an invaluable opportunity to creatively work in a collaborative model. Interested individuals should submit a resume and cover letter expressing interest to info@videotage.org.hk, with subject line reading “Syneme Telearts Summer Institute II”.

This is an unpaid position. However, academic credits can be arranged.
Catch the chance to ride the wave to a whole new level of new media art！