[FISEA 1988] Introduction: Wim van der Plas, Johan den Biggelaar & Ton Hokken — The First International Symposium on Electronic Art (FISEA)

Introductory Statement.

EDITORIAL to Leonardo, Supplemental Issue: Electronic Art, 1988

Computers are more and more becoming creative tools in music as well as visual arts and design. In the last few years, it has become clear that digital technology provides a platform for multimedia productions as well as a medium for new art forms. Computer Music and Computer Graphics & Animation have their own international forums. The need was felt, however, to bring together in one international event the diverse disciplines within art and technology. The initial announcement of the First International Symposium on Electronic Art (FISEA) by the Foundation for Creative Computer Applications (SCCA) in 1986 attracted great interest and support for the idea. A joint Call for Proposals and Participation was distributed by the SCCA and the new Centre for Art, Media and Technology of the Utrecht Academy of Arts in 1987. This resulted in several hundreds of papers, contributions to the competitions, proposals for the exhibition, music performances and so on. Unfortunately, only a relatively small number of the papers and other proposals could be accepted for inclusion in the symposium program due to limitations in time and space. The selection, done by the International Program Committee and the Organizing Committee, was not an easy job because of the high quality of most of the contributions. A number of the selected papers appear in this special issue of Leonardo, journal of the International Society for the Arts, Sciences and Technology. FISEA was meant to bring together experts (artists, scientists and engineers) in the field of electronic art. The enormous international interest in this event shows the importance of continued research and development in this interdisciplinary field. The availability of the new headquarters of the Centre for Art, Media and Technology will further stimulate the international interest in applications of new technology in music, visual arts and design. The centre offers students as well as artists and faculty the opportunity to work and study in an international environment.

  • Ton Hokken (NL) Director, Research and Development, Utrecht Academy of Arts Conference Chairman, Member of the Board, SCCA, since 1987.
  • Johan den Biggelaar (NL) Coordinator, Centre for Art, Media and Technology, Utrecht Academy of Arts Conference Chairman
  • Wim van der Plas (NL) Managing Director SCAN, National Institute for Computer Animation, Groningen, NL, since 01.01.1988. Co-founder and Managing Director SCCA until 01.01.1988, staff R&D Utrecht School of Arts in 1987, initiating FISEA, Executive director FISEA until move to SCAN; since then Advisor for FISEA.