Introductory Statement

Exhibition Catalog Preface

When the decision was made by the European Union in April 2006 to appoint the Ruhr region Cultural Capital of Europe 2010, for some media artists and curators in the district it was clear that here was the opportunity to bring ISEA, International Symposium on Electronic Art, to Germany. (ISEA, which since 1988 has staged symposiums in numerous countries around the world, is the largest and most significant international event in electronic art. The medienwerk.nrw, a professional network of sixteen regional facilities concerned with various aspects of media art, initiated a bid with the International ISEA Foundation to host the 16th symposium. At the same time, important sponsors were found in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the city of Dortmund and RUHR.2010 GmbH who were all willing to support the event and generously assisted in the years of preparation. For the medienwerk.nrw and the whole region this resulted in the opportunity to focus immense creative potential in the field of art and new media on the Rhine and the Ruhr. For the Cultural Capital RUHR.2010 and the city of Dortmund, the ISEA2010 RUHR is moreover a spectacular introduction for the -ew centre for art and creativity, the Dortmunder U. As a location for art, cultural education, research and creativity, the centre will reach far beyond the boundaries of the city limits to demonstrate structural change from the coal and steel industry to industries of knowledge, culture and creativity. ISEA2010 RUHR takes place in an environment where the major industries of the past and the technology and culture of the future are equally visible. The symposium places artistic and scientific themes on the examination table which, due to new technological developments, experience a particular urgency and thus contribute to the sustainable transformation of this unique region.

• Dr. Andreas Broeckmann (DE), Artistic Director ISEA2010 RUHR
• Stefan Riekeles (DE), Programme Director ISEA2010 RUHR