are we getting somewhere? an e-mail discussion with desperate optimists


Abstract:
In this email discussion, conducted over the course of a week in April, writer and curator Ben Slater quizzes Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy of desperate optimists about their move away from live performance into the realm of new media art. In the process, desperate optimists reflect on issues of liveness, community, performance presence, and the practical implications for artistic practice of working with new technologies. The piece also includes a transcript of a short presentation given by the group at a two day seminar held to consider the impact and practices of the Wooster Group.

desperate optimists are an artist led group currently engaged in exploring the potential of new technologies for the creation of combined arts practice and work for the web. Formerly known as a performance group, the last 3 years has seen the group pursuing a variety of web, radio and video projects in London, Wales and Dublin. This included map50.com, a 63 part on-line narrative set in North East London made in collaboration with 5 other artists/artists groups, a performer and 2 programmers, and the production of a CD-ROM, Stalking Memory, which was included in the "On Memory" issue of Performance Research in 2001. desperate optimists have recently completed a DVD video art work for three UK galleries, Night Bus. An online catalogue for Night Bus can be viewed at www.nightbusproject.co.uk.

Ben Slater is a curator and writer currently working with Singapore-based performance group spell#7 as their artist in residence.

Related links:
www.desperateoptimists.com

Contact:
bs_unknown@yahoo.com
info@desperateoptimists.com

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