Marc Gauthier

The Montreal Biennnal offers, for 2009, to open its programming to Internet users. Seeking to redefine itself, the event will unlock the doors of the event. According to the website:

” [...] the Biennale will use elements of [ the shift towards open models] in creative activity and cultural production to generate some of the content of the Biennale. ”

A reference to YouTube appears to have been made in the press conference [in French; English automatic translation].

I feel scepticism towards this approach. User-generated content is often of uneven quality. The spectacular and the unusual are represented in a disproportionate manner. Are we to expect such works?

” Celebrating projects which show ways in which individual creativity operates in the day-to-day experiences and interactions of people as they rework their surroundings and immediate environment [...] ”

Great! I look forward to seeing a video, shot on a 99-dollar digital camera, taking place in the kitchen, where the artist will create a culinary work. Hurray. Aren’t there already tons of those art pieces on YouTube, like the Heinz Kitchen Artist.

I hope the Montreal event goes beyond that, even though it is fun to watch.

[West, 2007, bench, Amanda Levete, KultureFlash]

Today ends Around the corner from Amanda Levete @ Established & Sons in London. [ More pictures here ]

Net Culture: If you can’t go there, at least look at it! Thank you, the Internet!