Introductory Statement

On behalf of the ISEA International foundation board, I am extremely pleased to welcome you to the 16th International Symposium on Electronic Art. The first ISEA was held in the Netherlands in 1988 and over the last 22 years has maintained its position as one of the most important gatherings of the international art and technology community. ISEA2010 RUHR is the first time ISEA is being held in Germany and we are delighted that it is being staged as a project of the European Capital of Culture. This dynamic region of Germany is undergoing rapid change and ISEA will assist the Ruhr region to become a centre of international art and technology practice, exhibition and dialogue. ISEA is an opportunity for art and technology specialists and for those at the beginning of their careers to come together to share ideas, methods and new approaches. In 2010 we are all aware of the impact of technology on society and ISEA marks the contribution that artistic, scientific and academic communities make to understanding a  changing world. We congratulate the ISEA2010 RUHR team, for creating a rich and dynamic programme. Under the artistic direction of Andreas Broeckmann and Stefan Riekeles, ISEA2010 RUHR encompasses and reflects the diversity, experimentation and vision of contemporary art and technology practice. The organising team of medienwerk.nrw and HMKV have provided a solid foundation on which to build ISEA2010 RUHR and we compliment the team wholeheartedly.

• Julianne Pierce, ISEA International foundation board

The General Meeting of ISEA International takes place on Monday, 23 August 2010