Urban Screens Melbourne 08 (USM08) will explore the impact of digital technology and new media on the public space of contemporary cities. USM08 will present an integrated conference program of keynote lectures and panel sessions and an outdoor multimedia program of experimental poster sessions, curated screenings, workshops and screen-based projects from 3 - 8 October 2008.

Keynote speakers include Aaron Tan, renowned architect and Director of RAD, Hong Kong, who has been a driving force in the urban development of Asian cities, Andreas Broeckmann international curator, founding Director of the prestigious Transmediale Festival for Art and Digital Culture in Berlin, Saskia Sassen, Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology, Columbia University, and eminent globalisation scholar who wrote the seminal text The Global City.

A range of panels will be presented on themes such as ‘Art, Technology and Public Space’, ‘Strategies for Urban Regeneration’ and  ‘Cross-Cultural Public Networks’ with international guest speakers including among other industry leaders, Dr Melinda Rackham, Director of ANAT.

Electrofringe 2008, a festival of electronic arts and culture, has a partial focus on the future past 2020 with international discussion on "possible futures for community building" (the pros, cons, good, bad, ugly, things that will both help and hinder) incorporating points from web 2.0 and social networking through to new ways of grass roots development given our very connected and still disjointed lives between continents.

The festival’s eleventh year will be held over five days from 2nd - 6th of October 2008. The program presents workshops, panel discussions, masterclasses, presentations, exhibitions and screenings. ANAT’s embracing sound program manager Sarah Last will be presenting on the panel, Together for the Foreseeable Future with fellow guests Alessandro Ludovico (Bari, Italy), Xtine Burrough (Los Angeles, USA), John Jacobs (Sydney) and Somaya Langley (Sydney/Berlin, Germany) on Friday 3rd October, 10:00am - 11:30am. http://www.electrofringe.net/.

The Making Links conference is the leading forum for the non-profit sector to showcase work and to explore current and emerging new media and information and communications technology (ICT).  The 5th Making Links conference will be held at Melbourne University from the 11-13th of November 2008. Register before Monday 22nd September for the early bird discount. ANAT’s Filter Magazine #65, This is not Open Source will be appearing in all conference packs!

ANAT encourages you to attend the above events and if in financial need suggests you apply for our quick response Professional Development Travel Grant (PDTG).

Websites

http://www.electrofringe.net/
http://www.urbanscreens08.net
http://www.makinglinks.org.au