[artinfo] VIDA call for submissions

[Norman]

CALLS FOR VIDA 8.0 ­ ART & ARTIFICIAL LIFE ­ DEADLINE 30th th September
http://www.fundacion.telefonica.com/at/vida/

VIDA 8.0 is the seventh edition of this international competition, created 
to reward excellence in artistic creativity in the field of artificial life.
In previous editions, prizes have been awarded to autonomous entities able 
to bring us pleasure (Tickle 2.0, Tickle Salon 5.0), engage us in 
irrational conversations (Head 3.0) or invade our social space (Cour des 
Miracles 2.0); virtual ecologies that evolve with user participation 
(Autopoiesis 3.0, Electric Sheep and Remain in Light 4.0), autonomous 
systems that use the feedback obtained as a mechanism and metaphor for 
transformation (Appearance machine 3.0, Levántate 5.0) and works 
highlighting the social side of artificial life (Novus Extinctus 4.0, The 
Relative Velocity Inscription Device 5.0, The Central City 6.0 and Spore 7.0).

Other themes are addressed in works that have been given honourable 
mentions: avatars and players in their unique worlds (Iconica 2.0, Life 
Spacies II and Unconscious Flow 3.0), new interpretations of the roots of 
artificial life, such as cellular automatons (Sandlines 3.0, Dadatron 5.0) 
and system feedback or autonomy translated into simple familiar media 
(Breathe and Autistic-Artistic Machine 4.0, The Responsive Field of Lattice 
Archipelogics 5.0).

We are looking for art that reflects the panorama of the possible 
interaction between 'synthetic' and organic life, e.g.
- Autonomous agents that shape and perhaps interpret the data-saturated 
environment we have in common.
- Portraits of inter-subjectivity or empathy shared between artificial 
entities and ourselves.
- Intelligent anthropomorphisation of the datasphere and its inhabitants.
- User-defined exploration and interaction designed to reduce fear and 
stimulate interest in the emerging phenomena which, by definition, are 
beyond our control.

An international jury will award prizes to the most outstanding projects in 
electronic art which use techniques such as digital genetics, autonomous 
robotics, recursive chaotic algorithms, knowbots, computer viruses, virtual 
ecosystems and avatars.

There is a total of €20,000 in prizes for the three projects selectted by 
the jury:
First prize: €10,000
Second prize: €7,000
Third prize: €3,000
There will also be special mentions for a further seven projects chosen by 
the jury.
Each project must be submitted as a 5-10-minute video with voice-over 
narration describing the artistic concept and the technological realization 
of the project presented. The project must be post-September 2003. The 
jury's decision will be based essentially on the video.

Participants must provide a VHS tape (PAL, NTSC or SECAM format) or DVD for 
the jury. If your work is awarded a prize or a special mention, you will be 
asked to provide a video on professional-quality format (Dvcam, Betacam, 
¾” U-Matic, MiniDV) for inclusion in The Best of VIDA 8.0 .

The competition is open to participants from all over the world; however, 
each participant may present only one project.
To register, read the competition rules, complete and sign the application 
form and submit it together with the tape to Fundación Telefónica before 
30 September 2005.