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SCMP Reporter

The eighth Microwave International Media Art Festival, which kicked off last week, offers  interactive and hands-on fun    for visitors.

This year's theme is Proxy, which is dedicated to the exploration   of telecommunication technology  and telematics - the combination of telecommunications and computing - as an expression of new media art.

The three-week   festival includes  installations and  internet art exhibitions, workshops, seminars and screenings of international videos.

The programmes aim to provide a platform for cultural exchange and to encourage appreciation of  new media arts.

On display are 21 installations by 28 international artists  at Hong Kong City Hall and Hong Kong Film Archive. The works feature   everyday  communications devices  including mobile phones,  surveillance cameras and the internet.

Visitor participation is part of the creative process at the exhibition.

'We have wired our work  to the internet and  to a lot of interactive sensors,' said festival director Winnie Fu Wai-yee.

'We tried to bring more interactive works to the festival. With this year's theme of Proxy, the  artists have worked closely with  mobile phones and mobile phone networks.  We hope visitors will have fun with each  installation and internet artwork.'

A  three-dimensional digital virtual travelogue by Japanese artist Masakia Fujihata uses the satellite-based global positioning system  to map out his journey  in Germany and France  with the help of a  personal digital assistant, digital camera and mobile phone.

American artist Golan Levins has composed a 'telesymphony' of dial tones from mobile phones,  while French artist Laurent Mignonneau  communicates   bodily sensations - such as body heat, smell and breath - over a mobile phone network.

The Highband exhibition at Hong Kong Film Archive  features  artworks by  secondary school students, with 14 mechanical robot designs  by students aged  between 12  and 15.

'[This year] we have works by secondary school students for the first time,' Ms Fu said.

'It is great to see  that Hong Kong's  young generation  understand and embrace modern technology and demonstrate it in their artwork.'

The festival will close on November 20 with Electron, a music and video performance show  featuring guest performances by  local bands PixtelToy and SYMPOSIUM 4H.

It will be held at Habitus design gallery in Sheung Wan. Tickets are $120 at the door or $100 in advance from Videotage on 2573 1869.

Microwave International Media Art Festival 2004  runs until November 20. The installations and internet art exhibition are  open to visitors daily from 11am to 7 pm at   City  Hall's exhibition hall.

A free one-hour guided tour   is available in Cantonese for schools, groups and organisations.  Call 2573 1869 or 2573 1814 or e-mail fion@microwavefest.net to arrange a tour. For the full schedule, visit www.microwavefest.net/2004



Art wave