ANAT’s 1995 Summer School was staged at the Academy for the Arts, Queensland University of Technology, from January 9 to 28.
Joyce Hinterding_The Oscillators_1995
The primary aim of the school was to facilitate the acquisition of computer based skills by artists, to expose artists to new technologies and afford them access to skills in this area. ANAT’s National Summer School still remains the only such intensive training program in Australia devised specifically for artists.
As usual, more applicants than places available were received. In the selection process ANAT was mindful of including artists from a range of backgrounds. ANAT also attempted to get a range of familiarity levels with computers. The other selection factor that was used, all other things being equal, was the ability to pass this information on down the line, as ANAT is interested in knowledge in the field being passed on as far as is possible.
The artists selected to attend the course were:
- David McDowell (Tas)
- Christl Berg (Tas)
- Patricia Piccinini (Vic)
- Marion Harper (Vic)
- Anne Robertson (SA)
- Michael Grimm (SA)
- Leah King-Smith (Qld)
- Gordon Bennett (Qld)
- Marie Biggins (Qld)
- Niamh Lines (Qld)
- Lyndall Milani (Qld)
- Janet Merewether (NSW)
- Greg Somerville (NSW)
Many of the participants have described the knowledge, techniques, skills and networks developed through their participation as invaluable and revolutionary. All Summer Schools organised by ANAT have effectively served as catalysts for action.
Three main tutors undertook the training: Edite Videns, John Tonkin and Keith Armstrong. The tutors were chosen because of their expertise in various software packages and computer platforms. All of the trainers are also prominent artists in the art and technology scene in Australia. Further, John Tonkin has taught several times at previous ANAT Summer Schools and therefore thoroughly understands the dynamics of the School.
The artists ranged from those with no experience to those with computer experience for non-art applications. The school is designed to cater for all levels of experience, and to answer individual participants’ needs.
National Summer School: Satellite Events
To complement the core skills-based program, a number of satellite events introduced participants to other new technologies and future-orientated issues through hands-on workshops and demonstrations. They included:
Artists’ talks
Joyce Hinterding
Joyce demonstrated her work and discussed the use of science-based concepts in the production of artwork. Joyce is a Sydney-based artist.
Isabelle Delmotte
Isabelle demonstrated her Silicon graphics based computer animation that she is in the processes of completing which describes the subjective experience of major epileptic fits. Isabelle is a Sydney-based artist.
Adam Wolter
Adam is a pioneering computer artist who is based in Brisbane. He spoke about his work and the experience of working with computers in the production of artwork.
Paul Brown
Paul Brown demonstrated and discussed the internet and his electronic journal Fine Art Forum, both as a concept and as a tool for artists working in the field. This talk took place at Griffith University.
David O’Halloran
David gave a talk on the aims and objectives of the Australian Network for Art and Technology, in the context of the wider national and international electronic arts scene.
Exhibition
The exhibition, artists thinking about science, which had toured with the Great Australian Science Show in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, was restaged at the Queensland Academy for the Arts with the support of Vision Australia to coincide with the Summer School. This made the work that was in the show available to both the participants and the general public. A modest opening was held at the exhibition to attract interest for both the school and the other satellite activities.
Open Day
About 50 people attended the Open Day, which included demonstrations of the participants’ work.
The Summer School was supported by: Academy for the Arts, Queensland University of Technology, Arts Queensland, Arts Victoria, South Australian Department for the Arts and Cultural Development, Tasmanian Arts Advisory Board.
Tags: computer animation, computer based skills, electronic journal, new technologies
