The 2nd Asia-Europe Art Camp, ‘Art and New Technology,’ was held from 22nd October to 2nd November, 2004 in Tokyo, Japan. This event, co-organised with Arts Initiative Tokyo (AIT), was articulated around a series of presentations and workshops by a team of professors and artists, as well as cultural visits, which gave the 21 selected art students an insight into multimedia art in Japan, Asia and Europe.
Discussions were raised on the definition of new media art and its development. For some students, particularly from Europe, the ‘technology’ aspect of art work was overriding and did not leave much space for the critical aspect of art. Some ideas were further developed in later art camps in Bandung in 2005 and in Helsinki in 2006 in order to strengthen ASEF’s focus in the field of new media arts.
“I got from the cam a broader look at things both from the East and the West, a whole lot to digest once I go back home. It was definitely a beneficial and worthwhile undertaking.” – Aidil Mohamed, new media art student, Malaysia.
A database including links and information on new media arts in 21 countries has been compiled with the help of these students, as well as a publication based on reflections from the art camp.