[ISEA2019]

[Overview] [Presentations] [Workshops] [Art Events]


ISEA2019
25th International Symposium on Electronic Art [ISEA2019]

Gwangju, Republic of Korea, 22 June – 28 June, 2019. Organised by the Art Center Nabi and the Asia Culture Institute (ACI). 


Overview

ISEA2019 took place in and around the Asia Cultural Center in Gwangju (acc.go.kr/en). “The ACC, which opened in November 2015, is a Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism–affiliated institution established for the advancement of mutual understanding and cooperative growth with different Asian countries through exchange, education, research, and other efforts with regard to Asian culture”. It provided the rooms for all academic elements of ISEA2019 as well as a museum quality exhibition space. Performances and screenings were staged both inside and outside the building. The closing ceremony, including a spectacular art performance was staged at the Gwangju Traditional Culture Center (gjcf.or.kr/en/Board/8295/detailView.do)

“Known as the ‘City of Light’, Gwangju enjoys its position as both a center for freedom and a center for art” (http://gwangjunewsgic.com/travel/lost-in-gwangju/city-of-art/). Gwangju is marked by the May 18 (1980) Democratic Uprising (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwangju_Uprising), about which a memorial museum is located adjacent to the ACC. “Gwangju citizens took up arms (by robbing local armories and police stations) when local Chonnam University students who were demonstrating against the martial law government were fired upon, killed, raped and beaten by government troops”. Since 1994 Gwangju organises a major Art Biennale (gwangjubiennale.org/en/biennale/intro.do).

Integrated with ISEA2019 was the ACT Festival 2019: ‘FoodHack’. “Through extensive programs including ACT showcases, A/V performances, talks & lectures, workshops and screenings, it seeks pleasure in food itself while also interrogating the aftermath and speculating possible options”.

Video overviews of the art events of ISEA2019:

The “making of” ISEA2019:  

ISEA2019 is the 25th ISEA Symposium. This jubilee was memorized by, among others, an animation called “The International Symposium on Electronic Art: From The Netherlands to the Republic of Korea in 25 Great Achievements” created by some of the ISEA pioneers from The Netherlands, as a present from the Online ISEA Symposium Archives. Thanks to financial help of the Dutch embassy in Korea, the animation was distributed via the conference bags on specially designed USB-cards. 


Introductory Notes


Committees

Organising Committee and Production Team

  • General Chair: Soh Yeong Roh, Director, Art Center Nabi
  • Honorary Chair: Kwangyun Wohn, Chairperson, National Research Council of Science and Technology
  • Academic Directors: Juyong Park, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Culture Technology, KAIST, Juhan Nam, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Culture Technology, KAIST, Jin Wan Park, Professor, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Chung-Ang University
  • Artistic Director: Namhee Park, Team Leader, ACT Festival Team, Asia Culture Institute
  • Poster / Demos Chairs: Yongsoon Choi, Associate Professor, Department of Art & Technology, Sogang University Jiyoon Chun, Associate Professor, Department of New Media, Seoul Media Institute of Technology
  • Workshop / Tutorial Chairs: Hyun Ju Kim, Associate Professor, Department of New Media, Seoul Media Institute of Technology Byungjoo Lee, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Culture Technology, KAIST
  • Artist Talks Chair: Su Hyun Nam, Assistant Professor, Department of Transmedia, Syracuse University
  • Institutional Presentation Chair: Boa Rhee, Professor, Department of Computer Art, Chung-Ang University
  • Special Session Chairs: Won Kon Yi, Professor, School of Fine Arts, Dankook University Soo Hee Lee, Professor, Organisation Studies, University of Kent Jina Kim, Ph.D, Nabi Future Studies, Art Center Nabi, YoungJae Oh, Professor, College of Art and Design, Seoul National University of Science and Technology
  • Exhibition, Performance, and Event Chairs and Co-Organisers:
    Art Center Nabi: HyeIn Jeon, Team Leader, Curatorial TeamHee-Eun Kim, Suhun Lee, Yoojin
  • Exhibition, Performance, and Event Chairs and Co-Organisers:
  • Art Center Nabi: HyeIn Jeon, Team Leader, Curatorial TeamHee-Eun Kim, Suhun Lee, Yoojin Chung, Soyoung Lim, and Heeyoon Choi
    Asia Culture Institute: Hyehyun Kim, Mihyun Jang, NamKyoon Kim, Jeongseok Lee, and Sangon Wi Yang Hyun Kim, Professor, Department of Philosophy, Chonnam National University Gwangju Cultural Foundation, Gwangju Traditional Culture Center Chosun University Gwangju Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Artistic Program Management and Supervision: 
  • Art Center Nabi: HyeIn Jeon, Hee-Eun Kim, Suhun Lee, Heeyoon Choi, Yoojin Chung, Yeajin Cho, Yukyung Chung, Hahlra Kim, Soyoung Lim, SangWook Han, Junho Choi, SoHyeong Lee, Homan Kwon, and JaeYoung Kim
  • Opening Performance <Drunken Drone>: LEE LeeNam, Robolink, Pablo Air, GongMyoung and Art Center Nabi
  • Closing Performance <Fiat Lux>: Jayoung Chung, Art Center Nabi, and Gwangju Traditional Culture Center
  • Local Engaged Workshop <Searching Darkness>: Marcus Neustetter, Ji-Eun Lee, Art Center Nabi, and Gwangju Cultural Foundation
  • Administrative:
    Art Center Nabi: A-Young Cho
    Gwangju Metropolitan City: Yongsup Lee (Mayor), Hyang Park, Byungjae Moon, Minsuk Shin, and Myeongju Jo Asia Culture Center: Jinsik Lee (Acting President) and Seongkwon Jang Asia Culture Institute: Gipyo Lee (President) and Jeongseok Lee Gwangju Cultural Foundation: YoungSoon Kim, JinKyoung Jeong, HwanHee Suh, HanKyoung Kim, and Jinsil Choi Gwangju Traditional Culture Center: Gang Bae Park (Head), Kyung Dong Park, and Jun Woo Park Gwangju Convention & Visitors Bureau: Yongheon Lee (CEO), Wongi No, Jeongsuk Jeong, and Aeseon Lee
  • Design:
    Claire Choi, Pansydaisy Corporation, Label1571, and DAADA Graphics
  • Operations and Tech Partners:
    miceone Gana Enterprise

International Programme Committee

Aceves Gabriela Simon Fraser University
Ahn Yong-Yeol Indiana University Bloomington
Ahnert Sebastian University of Cambridge
Ash Kingsley Leeds Metropolitan University
Beiguelman Giselle Univerity of Sao Paulo
Bradbury Victoria University of North Carolina Asheville
Brucker-Cohen Jonah Lehman College / CUNY
Bunt Brogan University of Wollongong
Burbano Andres Universidad de los Andes
Cardoso F. Amilcar University of Coimbra
Cermak-Sassenrath Daniel Auckland University of Technology
Champion Erik Curtin University
Choi Jung Eun Seoul Media Institute of Technology
Clothier Ian Intercreate Research Centre
Collins Karen University of Waterloo
Cornell Deborah Boston University
Cruz Daniel Universidad de Chile
Czegledy Elinor Nina KMDI University of Toronto, Concordia University, Montreal
Doh Young Yim GSCT, KAIST
Doyle Judith OCAD University
Edmonds Ernest Institute of Creative Technologies, ISEA International
Eigenfeldt Arne Simon Fraser University
Escandon Paula Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Farias Priscila University of Sao Paulo
Fernandez Maria Cornell University
Ferraiolo Angela Sarah Lawrence College
Fitzgerald Scott NYU AD Art Gallery
Forbes Angus University of California, Santa Cruz
Gollifer Sue ISEA International HQ
Graham Beryl CRUMB, University of Sunderland
Grisoni Laurent University of Lille, Science & Technologies
Hamilton Robert Stanford University, Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics
Heller Lynne OCAD University
Hight Jeremy Washington State University Vancouver
Hong Sanghwa Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Ji Haru Hyunkyung OCAD University
Jim Alice Ming Wai Concordia University
Johnson Colin University of Kent
Kim Tae-Eun DongYang University
Krapp Peter University of California, Irvine
Laurenzo Tomas City University of Hong Kong
Lee Byungjoo Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Lee Wonjae Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Lee Ji-Hyun GSCT, KAIST
Lee Jongpil Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Lee Jun Hee School of Arts Sungkyunkwan University
Londono Felipe Universidad de Caldas
Ludovico Alessandro University of Southampton
Malina Roger Institute of Creative Technologies, ISEA International
Mejia Mauricio Arizona State University
Menezes Ronaldo University of Exeter
Miller A. Bill University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Moody Brad Daytona State College
Moren Lisa University of Maryland / Baltimore County (UMBC)
Nake Frieder University of Bremen
Nevin Antony Massey University
Nigten Anne The Patchingzone, ISEA International
Noh Junyong Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
O’Donoghue Diarmuid Maynooth University
Oldenburg Aaron University of Baltimore
Park Sihwa Media Arts and Technology, University of California
Park Doheum Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Parker Jennifer University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC)
Paul Christiane The New School / Whitney Museum
Pederson Claudia Wichita State University
Prokopow Michael OCAD University
Prophet Jane Stamos School of Art & Design, University of Michigan
Rettberg Scott University of Bergen
Reyes Everardo Universite Paris 8
Ross Brian Brock University
Rowe Robert New York University
Sabet Mehdi Zayed University
Salter Chris Concordia University
Seo Jinsil Hwaryoung Texas A&M University
Sinclair Don York University
Stavropoulos Nikos Leeds Beckett University
Szabo Victoria Duke University
Thompson Reynaldo Universidad de Guanajuato
Tornero Paz University of Granada. Faculty of Fine Arts
Urbano Paulo Universidade de Lisboa
Valdes Claudia X. Independent Artist
Wakefield Graham York University
Weintraub Annette City College of New York
Wojtunik Elwira Patchlab Digital Art Festival
Zurr Ionat Symbiotic A, School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia


Art Jury

Akamatsu Masayuki Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences (IAMAS)
Armstrong Keith Queensland University of Technology
Benayoun Maurice City University of Hong Kong
Cho Hyun Il The Korean Society Of Media & Arts
Choi Jung Eun Seoul Media Institute of Technology
Choi Seung Joon Media Artist
Chung Yoojin Art Center Nabi
Dahan Kevin De Montfort University
Dal Farra Ricardo Concordia University
Dehlinger Hans School of Art, University of Kassel
Dorin Alan Monash University
Drew Jesse University of California, Davis
Edelman Udi Center for Digital Art, Holon
Frøysland Gisle Piksel Festival / Piksel Produksjoner
Gollifer Sue ISEA International HQ
Grant Jane Plymouth University
Grilo Carlos Instituto Politecnico de Leiria
Hill Laurence Brighton Digital Festival
Jeon HyeIn Art Center Nabi
Jung Moon-Ryul Sogang university, Korea
Kim Hee-Eun Art Center Nabi
Kim Hodong Seoul Institute of the Arts
Kim Hye Ran The Korean Society of Media & Arts
Kim Hye-Kyung Kyung Hee University
Kim Hyun Ju Seoul Media Institute of Technology
Kim Taejin Korean Society of Media and Art
Kivinen Kati Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
Kwong Joel Microwave International New Media Arts Festival
Laviers Amy University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Lee Byungjoo Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Lee Lee-Nam LeeLeeNamStudio
Lee Sangwon Virginia Tech
Lee Suhun Art Center Nabi
Lichty Patrick Zayed University
Lim Soyoung Art Center Nabi
Long Iris Central Academy of Fine Arts
Min Sey Data Visualization Artist
Miwa Masahiro Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences (IAMAS)
Nadarajan Gunalan University of Michigan
Nam Juhan Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Nam Su Hyun Syracuse University
Neustetter Marcus The Trinity Session
O’Rourke Michael Pratt Institute
Oh Young Jae Seoul National University of Science and Technology
Paik Joo-Mee Seoul National University, Seoul National University of Science and Technology
Papadimitriou Irini FutureEverything
Park Juyong Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Park Namhee Asia Culture Institute
Phillips Mike i-DAT
Rhee Boa Chung-Ang University
Rhee Hyeri Sejong University / Korean Society of Media and Art
Roberts Ann TMRW (The Mixed Reality Workshop)
Roh Soh Yeong Art Center Nabi
Roland Dominique Centre des arts
Seo Hyojung Samsung Art and Design Institute
Thompson Jeff Stevens Institute of Technology
Thwaites Harold Centre for Research Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Warnke Martin Leuphana University Luneburg
Yoo Wonjoon AliceOn


Theme: Lux Aeterna: Eternal Light

Inspired by the meaning of the name of the host city Gwangju (City of Light), Lux Aeterna raises issues open to complex interpretations in culture, science, and history with equal fervor and significance. In religion, for instance, light signifies divinity and immortality; In science, on the other hand, it is an energetic particlewave; In the humanities, enlightenment and rationality. The presence of light also creates Umbra, its own antithesis, with Penumbra between the two. Such multifaceted nature of light will lead to the free cohesion of procedural logic based on
human sensibilities and technology of artistic inspirations, which is the ultimate goal of ISEA2019.

Sub-themes

  • Aeternitas: Eternity and the Mortal
    Various perspectives are presented on the eternity of humankind and the mortality
    of the individual human. While finite in physicality, humankind’s achievements can
    transcend time. Scientific knowledge, however, is denied absolute eternity because
    it is in principle subject to modification. In the near future technological advances
    may bring on a singularity where humankind decides to gain physical eternity or
    bestow transcendence upon its past. Works under this subtheme are inspired by
    religious, scientific, humanistic, and artistic aspects.
  • Symphonia: Harmony of Noise
    Sound and light are both wave phenomena, with deep ties to vision and signal
    processing research in engineering. An emerging opinion in Vision Insight claims
    that machines can be more accurate than humans when detecting the essence of
    things. In science and other fields, however, a raw, unrefined signal can open up
    various possibilities in the interpretation of data. This is expressed, for example, in
    Phaidon where Simmias mentions the attunement referring to the remaining sound
    even after the destruction of Lyre. Works under this subtheme This topic, involving
    the two different types of waves, includes a wide range of works on light and sound
    in Data Analysis and Data Visualization that extract meaningful signals from noise
    to achieve and harmony
  • Illuminatio: Enlightenment of AI (Artificial Intelligence) & AE (Artificial
    Emotion)
    Eighteenth-century Europe embraced Enlightenment ideals in order to advance
    culture and civilization by the power of the human intellect and rationale. The
    influence of the Enlightenment movement in the society is similar to that of
    Artificial Intelligence (AI) which could happen in the near future-breaking down
    the old customs and discovering and spreading the universal truth through objective
    observation. AI has been a controversial topic because it is uncertain how SNN
    (Spiking Neural Network) that mimics the thinking process of human’s social and
    artistic brain activity will be able to solve problems. Even if SNN gains the
    problem-solving ability, various kinds of questions still remain. For example, SNN’s decision-making process and the purpose for solving problems is vague.
    This topic seeks a type of projects and researches that explores AI’s ability to
    configure human’s creativity and emotion. In addition, assuming the feasibility of
    Artificial Emotion (A.E), this topic invites works and research that deal with the
    essence of a man in the near future.
    As the significance of redefining human creativity and ingenuity is emphasized
    with the advent of AI, ‘education’ in the regard of incubating the talents the
    contemporary society needs is also being highlighted. The role of education in the
    era of the machinery is not only restricted to nurturing the capability to stay abreast
    of the latest innovations and implement science and technology to the today’s
    ever changing turmoil of interests. There are active discussions on the education
    reflecting the transitions and transformations of the contemporary society from
    programming, code literacy, to STEAM, aiming to further present how the essence
    of humanity could be innovated. We await various researches and opinions on the
    importance and role of media art, focusing toward the direction of education for the
    present and the future.
  • Penumbra: In-between
    We look for various topics for research that are not mentioned above. Light and
    shadow are relative concepts. A research that might be deemed a failure for some
    researchers could be seen as the process of the search for the truth from the
    perspective of another research field. The topics of the paper mentioned so far are
    the signposts for guidance and inspiration. However, beyond our narrow point of view, we would like to hear your very own stories. We hope to encounter works and research that are full of imagination and creativity, beyond our limited frame.
    Under this theme, a special session on art, technology, and money will take place.
    This session will explore new ecosystem(s) among art, technology, and money.
    Most of us in art and technology field have had to rely on governmental funds or
    private charity. But with the rise of social impact investment, there may be a new
    horizon opening up for creating new values, where artists and technologists find
    new ways of communicating with the public. In this special session, we want to
    explore new opportunities as well as possible risks.

Sub Programmes


Partners, Sponsors & Funders

  • Organisers:

Art Center NABI
ACI Asia Culture Institute

  • Hosted by:

City of Gwangju
ACC Asia Cultural Center
KAIST (formerly Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
CT Graduate School of Culture Technology

  • Sponsors:

Korea Tourism Organization
Institut Francais
Japan Foundation Seoul
Crown Goose bedding brand
The Korea Financial Newspaper

  • Partners:

City of Québec (Canada) Australia Council for the Arts
Hyundai
Robolink
Pablo Air
Gwangju Cultural Foundation
Korea Performing Arts Center
KOFAC Korean Foundation for the Advancement of Science & Creativity
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Gwangju Convention & Visitors Bureau
University Industry Collaboration
Zero1 
American Arts Incubator
KOSMA Korean Society of Media & Arts
KSBDA Korea Society of Basic Design & Art


Links

  1. Proceedings (PDF)
  2. Catalogue (PDF)
  3. Residency Catalogue (PDF)
  4. Final Programme (PDF)
  5. Workshop Programme (PDF)
  6. Exhibition Schedule
  7. Photos
  8. Artefacts