“80+1” invites artists and scientists to submit proposals for new and novel ways to connect, in real time, people-to-people and people-to-environments in different physical locations, specifically between Linz and our selected sites around the world. The goal is to expand and explore meaningful exchanges between remote groups of people.
The one essential requirement for all proposals is “live bits:” real-time digital information via any network of any viable quantity and in any modality.
In addition to symmetrical two-way communication, asymmetrical two-way communication and even one-way communication will be considered as long as a live component is present.
We will award up to 20 commissions of EUR 10,000 each. The commissions must be completed by June 2009. Deadline for submission is 3 November 2008, and notification of recipients will be by 30 November 2008.
“Live”, “Fresh”, and “Canned”
We are defining “live bits” as any connection that feels “in real time”, meaning there’s no significant wait. This definition is application-dependent: for gaming and interactive navigation, 1/10 second may be the upper limit; for voice and text conversation, 1 second may be the upper limit; and for exchanging sounds and images, 1 minute may be the upper limit. Connections with waits longer than a minute may no longer be defined as live.
We are defining “fresh bits” as any connection with a less than 1-day turnaround time, for example, via slower than real-time downloads. In addition to enabling larger and cheaper exchanges, fresh bits are useful when dealing with a significant time zone difference (especially for interactions among children).
We are defining “canned bits” as any data transported by physical means, such as via DVDs or hard disks. Physical shipping also allows other material to be transported such as physical objects, musical instruments, and perishables.
All proposals require an element of live bits. Fresh bits as well as canned bits and other physically shipped material may also be incorporated.
Site Specificity and Network Options
We encourage proposals that are both site specific and general in nature. Our final selection of locations will remain open through the proposal deadline (31 Oct.) so that we can consider specific proposals tuned to specific locations, specific cultures, and specific themes. We are equally interested in proposals that can be applied in general, in which case the 80+1 team will assign an appropriate match.
We also encourage the complete range of bandwidths to be explored. We are as interested in novel applications that require only a “trickle” of live bits as we are in applications that require broadband or greater.
Some of our locations will have rich connectivity and some will have little, or none. Some of the most remote locations today have cell phone availability while others will require satellite connectivity. Portable phones and portable modems are readily available for rental using both geosynchronous satellites (higher bandwidth but 1 second wait) and low earth orbit satellites (lower bandwidth but less wait). Creative hacking of hardware and underlying technology is encouraged.
Timeframe
The “Live-Bits” commissions will be deployed and exhibited during “80+1” from 18 June to 6 September 2009 on the Hauptplatz Linz (main square) in the framework of Linz 2009 European Capital of Culture.
Proposals should be submitted online, but also postal mail to the contact address below is possible.
Please note that your submitted material will not be returned.
Contact:
proposals@80plus1.org
www.80plus1.org
Ars Electronica Linz GmbH
80+1
Hauptstraße 2-4,
4040 Linz
Austria
Tel. +43.732.7272-71
