Why eArts in Shanghai? by Prof.Shen GenlinElectronic art brings together art and technology, particularly advanced technology, to produce a revolutionary form of art. It is a new and innovative kind of art, partly developed by artists, partly by technologists and engineers, that reimagines the relationship between consumer and producer and allows for ‘mutual interaction’ between the people and art.

Electronic art can produce an entirely new kind aesthetics, but it is also the case that the electronic arts are tied to a new kind of economy and to new forms of production and if harnessed. If harnessed, electronic art can raise the competitive strength of a modern city. In the context of contemporary global development, the digital domain is a resource that cannot be underestimated.

Even at such an early stage of development, the range of digital practices is immense and includes: digital images including digital painting, digital photography and digital video, computer-made painting and holographs, CD-ROM art and the new realities in electronic games, internet art including hypertext, remote control robot technology, human interfacing which include bio-systems technologies and applied bioengineering technology, computerized music and sound art. Digital practices can also shape and influence certain types of drama, dance and installation art forms.

Countries confirmed as participating in the Shanghai eArts Festival The confirmed Shanghai eArts Festival participating economies include Britain, France, Germany, Australia, Italy, Japan, Korea, America, Spain, as well as Taiwan and Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. Numerous leading electronic arts institutions and artists from around the world will participate in the Shanghai eArts Festival.

The 2007 Shanghai eArts Festival is the first new cultural program Shanghai has founded and represents an important new cultural development trajectory in the city. It will be held each year, every October, with the central activity venue set in Pudong. The Shanghai eArts Festival is now centered at the Pudong Government Huamu Cultural Center, at the recommendation of international experts and the leaders of the Municipal Committee Publicity Department. The purpose is to encourage Pudong (Huamu) to become a new cultural center of Shanghai, to enrich the cultural content of Pudong, and to create a new cultural base for Pudong’s development. The range of the 2007 Shanghai eArts Festival activities may well constitute the largest and most ambitious electronic arts festival in today’s world. It is hoped that the Shanghai eArts Festival will generate a warm response from the world culture and arts communities and receive a large amount of positive attention. In short, the ambition of Shanghai eArts Festival is to be noted and welcomed by the world

The 2007 Shanghai eArts Festival will take place in two districts: Pudong Huamu will act as the central activity location; Puxi will be the satellite activity location, xujiahui Commercial Area, People’s Square, Wujiaochang Commercial Circle, Life Hub @ Daning. It will include a number of kinds of activities: Outdoor Interactive Installations; New Vision Electronic Art Concert; a special Ars Electronica Exhibition; @ Future; Wisdom Forums; a range of electronic art exhibitions; and a series of public events.
这是08年上海电子艺术节的Boss的发言，下面有链接，也有其他电子艺术节的讲稿，仅供借鉴借鉴吧！