Chris Joseph

UpStage is an open source web-based platform for live online interactive performance (cyberformance); logged-in players manipulate media (such as graphical avatars, backdrops, web cams, audio, drawing and text) in real time to create a theatrical performance for audience members, who require only a browser and standard internet connection. The audience interact with the players, the performance and each other via a text chat.

There will be an UpStage open walk-through on Wednesday 3 December (or Thursday 4th if you are in the front part of the world), and a Swaray will be held on Thursday 4th December.

The walk-through is for those who are new to UpStage and would like to learn the basic operation and features of the environment.

The Swaray is for those who already have some experience of UpStage, to get together and chat about UpStage, related projects, the concepts behind what we’re doing, and anything else we feel like - such as post 080808 thoughts, and thinking ahead to 090909 …

** Open Walk-through: Wed 3 December, 8pm UK time; Thurs 4 December, 9am NZ time. Find your local time here: http://tinyurl.com/5cu6br and email info [at] upstage.org.nz to request a guest log-in.

** Swaray: Thursday 4 December, 8am UK time, 9pm NZ time. Find your local time here: http://tinyurl.com/5ha5mx.

For more information about UpStage, visit http://www.upstage.org.nz

John Lechte
A Digital Aesthetics: Is it Possible?

Date: 4 December 2008
Location: Seminar Rooms, Ben Pimlott Building
Time: 18:00 - 20:00

The first part of the paper will examine some of the key issues surrounding the nature of aesthetics. In particular, reference will be made to Kant and beauty, as well as to experience and artistic experimentation as this is manifest in examples of digital, visual art.

The second part of this paper will discuss the work already done on aesthetics and the digital image by Mark B.N. Hansen, especially in his books New Philosophy for New Media and Bodies in Code. Paul Crowther’s theory of the ontology and aesthetics of the digital image will also be considered, as it raises the issue of whether the ontology of the digital image is compatible with any kind of aesthetics.

JOHN LECHTE is professor in Sociology at Macquarie University in Sydney, where he teaches in social and cultural theory. He has published widely on continental philosophy, particularly on the work of Julia Kristeva and Georges Bataille, and, more recently, on Bernard Stiegler and the nature of the cinema image. His current research concerns the nature, aesthetics and technologies of the image.

http://www.soc.mq.edu.au/staff_jlechte.html

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For more information check: http://www.thethursdayclub.net

THE THURSDAY CLUB IS ORGANISED BY GOLDSMITHS DIGITAL STUDIOS AND SUPPORTED BY GOLDSMITHS GRADUATE SCHOOL AND THE DEPT. OF COMPUTING

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