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neoscenes occupation project 2 is an embodiment of network praxis. by bringing a diverse group of new media students from across Europe together in a small city in Finnish Lapland during the height of the Midnight Sun, neoscenes seeks to create a small community whose power is not in number but in intimacy, enthusiasm, and dialogue -- it seeks to construct alternative learning space using all levels of technology including the internet and telecommunications with the goal to extend creative possibilities in the contemporary world

Mid-Summer New Media Workshop, (4 credit-weeks) June 14th to July 9th, 1999 at the Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic College of Art and Media

The goal of this workshop is to allow art. media, and design students who are already familiar with some aspects of New Media technology to continue their explorations. Building on the fact that many of the participants have taken previous courses with John Hopkins, it will be an opportunity for them to continue their research in an open-ended environment. Work is not restricted to digital tools, but may include traditional photography, writing, and whatever means the student feels necessary. Most students involved in this workshop are familiar with the Internet and some of the tools available for creative action within that environment. However, it is a well-known fact that the Internet technology changes very rapidly, and must be continuously explored for new possibilities. One critical requirement is for the students to exercise their cross-cultural communication skills. It is also important that they get experience working in a less structured situation where their abilities of self-discipline, concentration, and attention are exercised.

The main structure of the workshop will be a scheduled series of open discussions, both group and individual, with other times reserved for studio work. Students will be directed in explorations of collaborative, cross-cultural, network-based media art practice. Instruction will generally be on an individual basis with group lectures as needed to cover particular topics of interest. Individual students will be expected to regularly share the results of their work as well as their ideas on each others' projects through informal critiques. Each foreign student will be initially teamed with a local student to help get acquainted with the working and social situation. It is expected that all students share their energies in constructing a positive social atmosphere and a fluid collaborative situation that responds to the needs of the participants. Optional field trips will provide the chance for visiting students to become familiar with the local community. During the final days, participants will present the results of their research to the entire group. This web site will include some documentation and links to results of and events around the workshop.

Research material will be the entire World Wide Web and the many manifestations of networked media available. Foreign students will be encouraged draw on the local environment as a source of inspiration.

Finnish students will receive a grade and 4 credit-weeks which may be applied to their PolyTech studies. Other students will receive official documentation of their participation if needed for their home school.