Original-Sender: suephil@peg.pegasus.oz.au
Cultures in Cyberspace: a virtual panel
Organized by Anna Couey, in collaboration with American Indian
Telecommunications, Phillip Bannigan, Sue Harris, Judy Malloy,
Joe Matuzak, John S. Quarterman, Eric S. Theise, and all others
who choose to participate.
Description:
What is culture in cyberspace? In Australia, Canada, the U.S., and
parts of Europe, some artists have gained access to computer networks
and are using them to make and distribute art. Those working in a
Euro-American artistic tradition often experiment with conferencing
software to create works that evolve from a process of participatory,
interactive communication. Native American artists in the U.S. have
developed online graphic share-art, which represents their distinct
cultural identity, and feeds their traditional (offline) communities.
In many 3rd world countries where poverty is high, and computers
and phone lines are rare, networking projects are generally operated
by non-governmental organizations or educational institutions, and
tend to focus on economic or social development, not cultural
preservation or participation.
How will cybercultures evolve? Is it important for cultural
participation in cyberspace? And if so, how can and is equitable
access made available to all cultural groups? What will happen to
cultural groups that remain offline? Will cultural groups that do
access cyberspace lose their distinct identities through a process
of interaction? And, if so, is such an occurrence cultural evolution
or homogenization -- something to explore or something to avoid at
all costs? What is the role of cybercultural activity in cyberspace
itself; what is its role in the offline culture that initiated it?
As a virtual panel, Cultures in Cyberspace will be conducted as an
open panel within a number of computer network communities, ranging
from internationally distributed networks to local BBS. Participants
will include cultural workers, as well as cyberspace citizens who
are interested in the issue. TISEA participants are invited to
contribute to the panel discussion, direct from its TISEA site.
Participating systems:
American Indian Telecommunications/Dakota BBS
The mission of American Indian Telecommunications is to
promote the use of computers and telecommunication technology by
Indian people in a culturally appropriate manner. The Dakota BBS
is a privately owned registered Fido system, dedicated to promoting
the self-sufficiency of American Indian and rural people. Dakota
BBS has been heavily involved in promoting the use of NAPLPS, (the
North American Presentation Level Protocol Syntax) a graphics format
that can be transferred via modem, particularly as a medium for
American Indian artists. Dakota BBS has supported the development of
American Indian Telecommunications and is an advocate for the
advancement of American Indian people into the world of technology.
-- George Baldwin.
Arts Wire
A computer networking project to encourage the exchange of news,
information, and discussion in the arts, housed on The Meta Network
in the United States. Arts Wire users include artists of diverse
media, cultures and geographies; arts activists, organizations,
agencies, foundations, and others interested in the arts.
USENET
A grassroots news and discussion system distributed over
several internationally distributed networks. It's estimated
that over several million people read USENET.
The WELL (Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link)
A conferencing system based in the San Francisco Bay Area,
with USENET feed and full Internet connection. The WELL is
internationally recognized for its exploration and development
of virtual communities and civil liberties on the electronic
frontier.
Pegasus
That's us folks!
Participating coordinators:
Anna Couey
Anna Couey is a telecommunications artist who works with
computer networks as a medium for developing new cultural and
social constructs. She is currently Network Coordinator for
Arts Wire (see above description), and was a co-developer
of the Art Com Electronic Network and alt.artcom, projects
dedicated to the interface of contemporary art and new
communications technologies.
American Indian Telecommunications
American Indian Telecommunications all-Indian Board includes:
Dr. George Baldwin, Chairman, Department of Sociology, Henderson
State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; Dr. Jim May, Vice Provost
for Information Resources, California State University, Chico,
California. George Peabody, Owner, PC Associates. Randy Ross,
Computer Specialist, Indian Health Service, and Sonja Spang,
student, Billings, Montana. The Dakota BBS sysop is Anne Fallis,
South Dakota.
Judy Malloy (The WELL)
Judy Malloy is a pop-conceptual artist whose recent works employ
computer programming and computer networking systems to explore
information, memory, and collaborative production. Her artists
books, information installations, performances, and narrabases have
been exhibited internationally. She is currently an Associate editor
of Leonardo and of the online publication, Leonardo Electronic News.
Joe Matuzak (Arts Wire)
Poet. 1990-92 Executive Director of Buckham Fine Arts Project, a
multidisciplinary arts organization in Flint, MI. Member of the
Board of Directors of the National Association of Artists
Organizations, Executive Committee and Technical Working group
of Arts Wire, Editor and publisher of Sly Dog Press, freelance
computer consultant and desktop designer. Former co-director of
Genesee Literary Center, manager of a computer software store for
approximately five years, sysop of "Skateboard" BBS from
1984-88.
John S. Quarterman (USENET)
John S. Quarterman is editor of *Matrix News*, a monthly newsletter
about contextual issues crossing network, geographic, and political
boundaries, and is Secretary of Matrix Information and Directory
Services, Inc., of Austin. He wrote ``Notable Computer Networks,''
CACM, October 1986 and the book, *The Matrix: Computer Networks and
Conferencing Systems Worldwide*, Digital Press, 1990. He is a
co-author of *The Design and Implementation of the 4.3BSD UNIX
Operating System*, and of the forthcoming books, *UNIX, POSIX, and
Open Systems: The Open Standards Puzzle*, and *Practical
Internetworking with TCP/IP and UNIX*, all from Addison-Wesley. He is
a partner in Texas Internet Consulting, which consults in networks and
open systems, with particular emphasis on TCP/IP networks, UNIX
systems and standards.
Eric S. Theise (The WELL)
E.S. Theise has been involved with experimental film for over a
decade as curator/programmer and maker. He is currently Board
President of the San Francisco Cinematheque. He is on the faculty at
the Naval Postgraduate School, where he pursues interests in wide area
networking, human-computer interaction, virtual interface technology,
and operations research. He hosts the Matrix Information and
Directory Services conference on The WELL, which is devoted to
interrelationships between networks (estheise@well.sf.ca.us).
Sue Harris and Phillip Bannigan (Artsnet on Pegasus)
suephil have established Artsnet to provide network services for all
arts disciplines across the country. Please see an.artsnet and
an.perf.arts for an activity update. Sue and Phillip are visual
artsits who have worked in higher education in film / video and
computer graphics. They also exhibit their work through the networks,
world wide. They are currently engaged in a community cultural
development project to build a community technology art house in Port
Adelaide, addressing the cultural and physical needs and visions of
the residents in preparing for the Multi Function Polis.