[artinfo] the art and politics of netporn

[Institute of Network Cultures]

Press release
First release, Amsterdam, August 25, 2005.

The Art and Politics of Netporn
September 30 & October 1 2005
De Badcuyp, Amsterdam
www.networkcultures.org/netporn
For more information: nieke at networkcultures.org/ 020 5951866

In the weekend of September 30 and October 1, the ëBadcuypí in Amsterdam
will host the first conference on Internet pornography, entitled  ëThe
Art & Politcs of Netporní. This international event, organized by the
Institute of Network Cultures, will include presentations from a broad
selection of artists and researchers from all over the world. All of them
have been researching the subject of Internet pornography in their own
individual ways. The eventís grand finale will be a ëporn pour porn
soireeí, a festive night with various performances and screenings. The
party will kick off with a presentation of Katrien Jacobsí new book
ëLibidocí, about her quest for sex artists all around the world.

Even in this modern age, Internet pornography is a subject that makes
most people uncomfortable. The common image isnít pretty, since the
subject is mostly related to raunchiness, exploitation, ëstrange peopleí
with awkward sexual preferences, and dubious networks and practices. The
Art and Politics of Netporn wants to draw attention to the other side of
this phenomenon by focusing on the political and economical implications
of netporn, as well as to the ethical and aesthetic aspects of digital
communities (i.e. weblogs, chat groups, mailing lists and webzines).
These relatively new forms of communication enable people to meet up
anonymously, form communities, or present themselves while having
creative control over the process of communciation.To provide us with an
alternative view on netporn, the conference organization has also invited
artists whose work reflects different ideas on sexuality and who have
appropriated the language or specific qualities of Internet pornography.
The Art and Politics of Netporn challenges the visitors to discuss the
current social climate of heightened control over information processes
and the power of censorship. Who gets to decide what we are allowed to
see, and what are the limits to our freedom?

Five different themes will be presented during the two days of the
conference, with contributions by artists, researchers and journalists.
ëSex Workers of the Net Worldí is centered round the political and
economical values of netporn and online sex workers. And what is the
importance of porn for E-commerce? In ëThe Rise of the Netporn Societyí
the focus is on the individual use of Internet by for example bloggers
and producers of so-called indieporn. Dominant images and concepts about
netporn and the possibility of creating a ëhistory of netporní are some
of the concepts of the theme ëPorn meets Brain: Netporn Theoryí. ëPorn as
a Technology of the Selfí is about the possibilities of the use netporn by
minority groups like queers and transgenders. How do they use elements of
pornography to create their own sexual identity? An open debate about
censorship will give the visitor a chance to share their opinions about
this subject with the participants. The conference closes with Porn pour
Porn, a soiree mixte with djís and vjís live performance, screenings and
all else that pours into it..

The program is available at www.networkcultures.org/netporn.

Practical Information
The Art and Politics of Netporn, September 30 ñ October 1, 2005
De Badcuyp, Amsterdam
Eerste Sweelinckstraat 10 (corner Albert Cuypstraat), 1073 CM Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0) 20 6759669, Email: info at badcuyp.nl Website: www.badcuyp.nl
Conference registration: netporn at networkcultures.org
For more information: nieke at networkcultures.org/
sabine at networkcultures.org
Entrance fees:
Allround ticket (2 days + party): 50 euro, students 25 euro
Day ticket, Friday or Saturday: 30 euro, students 15 euro
Party ticket (Saturday night): 8 euro, students 5 euro
Please check www.networkcultures.org/netporn for all practical information.