[artinfo] Call for Expressions of Interest - Connected Communities Symposium

[Joelle Bitton]

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

CONNECTED COMMUNITIES Symposium
Culture Lab Newcastle, UK - 14-16th September 2011
http://side-creative.ncl.ac.uk/communities/symposium11/

Culture Lab Newcastle is hosting an international 
interdisciplinary event open to the general 
public, on the topic of "connected communities". 
We are looking for expressions of interest for 
talks and projects to exhibit from theorists and 
practitioners alike.

TOPIC

Many theorists have regarded communities as 
networks of interacting people within a defined 
territory, and policy-makers have tended to 
respond to this particular understanding. 
However, in an era where digital technologies 
have supported transnational forms of 
connectedness and the efficiency of grassroot 
movements, communities are once again looked at 
as innovative fertile grounds for alternative 
social organisation.

In a time when these trends can be manipulated by 
current governmental agendas, the Connected 
Communities symposium aims to critically explore 
evolving notions of community in art, design, 
history, politics, sociology, journalism, and 
hacktivism, among others.

Focus will be shed on - but not restricted to - the following topics:

*   Effects of digital technologies on community 
formation, self-realisation, and development;
*   How creative use of technology fosters 
micro-communities, empowers marginalised groups 
and enables new forms of cultural expression;
*   Socio-political impact of community 
connectivity on society, in particular during 
this period of economic change.

This symposium will take place over a period of 
three days at Culture Lab, an interdisciplinary 
research laboratory and a venue for engagement 
and public events. It will consist of :

*   A conference with talks selected from 
submitted expressions of interests, and invited 
speakers.
*   An exhibition and a film screening centred on 
the notions of community and digital media. This 
will include blogs, documentation of 
community-based art workshops, art and 
ethnographic projects.
*   A focused hands-on workshop (half a day). A 
conference can provide a playful environment, and 
we create a temporary community of practice to 
explore deeper questions of community. The access 
would be limited to 15 people on a first come - 
first served basis. Invitation to subscribe will 
be sent when the conference program is set.

SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Talks: The submission should express in a short 
text of 400 words what their interest, statements 
and/or work is in relation to the topic of 
connected communities.

Exhibition: We are looking for projects than can 
be showcased as websites, blogs, videos, films, 
installations that underline the impact of 
digital technologies on communities or that 
uncover new types of communities.

Please send your submissions in PDF format 
(additional audiovisual material can be submitted 
in the form of online material with corresponding 
URL) to the following email address by 19th May 
2011, 23.59 GMT+1: 
ConnComm2011 at gmail.com<mailto:ConnComm2011 at gmail.com>

IMPORTANT DATES

Deadline for expressions of interest: 19th May 2011
Notification of acceptance: 25th May 2011
Symposium: 14th-16th September 2011

FEE

The symposium, all events included, will be free 
of charge for all participants. Speakers who are 
not supported by an institution will be offered 
transport to Newcastle and accommodation.

CONTACT AND INFORMATION

For more information, please email us at 
ConnComm2011 at gmail.com<mailto:ConnComm2011 at gmail.com> 
and/or visit the symposium website:
http://side-creative.ncl.ac.uk/communities/symposium11/

ORGANISERS

Joëlle Bitton, Lalya Gaye, Andreia Cavaco, Ben 
Jones, Graeme Mearns and Atau Tanaka (Culture Lab 
Newcastle)
Ranald Richardson (Center for Urban & Regional 
Development Studies, Newcastle University)
http://side-creative.ncl.ac.uk/communities/
http://culturelab.ncl.ac.uk/
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/curds/

The symposium is funded by the AHRC research 
program "Connected communities" and SiDE research 
program at Culture Lab.
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/
http://www.side.ac.uk/