Olia Lialina, Forever in the 90s

Presentation on Rotterdam’s cybercafés / belhuizen and related ‘low cultures’ of new media.

Wed., March 9th 2011, 19.00, Location: Goethe-Institut Rotterdam, Westersingel 9, Rotterdam (nearby the Central Station)

Rotterdam’s cybercafés (‘belhuizen’) have a bad reputation. They are associated with diverse illegal activities, from money laundering to support of terrorists. Research conducted by the city shows, however, that statistically, only minor nuisances show up as the problems they create.

In 2010, net artist Olia Lialina researched Rotterdam’s cybercafés and physical and online ‘low culture’ environments as part of her research fellowship of the Piet Zwart Institute and artist-in-residence work at Goethe-Institut Rotterdam. She will present, for the first time, the results of her research.

This event is a cooperation of the Research Programme Communication in a Digital Age and the Networked Media Master orientation of the Piet Zwart Institute, Willem de Kooning Academy, with Goethe-Institut Rotterdam.

Friday, Dec. 17th, 18:00-20:00
A one night event at Ace Teleboutique
Nieuwe Binnenweg 389A
Rotterdam

Hit an Internet-cafe, rent all computers they have and run a show on them for one night.
Excerpt from SPEED SHOW manifest by Aram Bartholl 2010

Speed Show: REBELHUIS

REBELHUIS is an exhibition featuring work from the Networked Media branch of the Piet Zwart Institute & CrossLab (Willem de Kooning Academy), hosted and inspired by Ace Teleboutique, an internet café situated in the city centre. The project has been initiated by Olia Lialina’s as part of her research fellowship on the media design culture of ‘belhuizen’ (internet cafes) in Rotterdam.

Some projects work with the technical restraints of the Internet café’s infrastructure, others explore its uncharted potential for alternative use, and others probe the peculiarities of remote communication. Loosening the perimeters of Bartholl’s structure, the group has opened up the format to both on- and off-line media, live performance, telephony, installation, and software programs especially designed and installed for the occasion. To read about the individual projects go to REBELHUIS.

The show takes place during normal opening hours (18:00-20:00). Ace, the owner will be selling Red Bull, Doritos and ice cream, and all visitors are welcome to enjoy the art and perhaps even steal some time to check email and chat with friends.

Special thanks to:
* Aram Bartholl for inventing the Speed Show format
* Goethe Institut Nederland for hosting the Digital Folklore workshop with PZI students and having Olia Lialina as an artist in residence.
* Aldje van Meer, Gordan Savicic and Danja Vasiliev for their conceptual input
* Ace for being open to our temporary invasion of his space
* And of course, the students and staff at Piet Zwart who worked around the clock to make the project come together

Inaugural lecture by Florian Cramer as the director of the Piet Zwart Institute
Wednesday, Dec. 1 2010, 19:30
Piet Zwart Institute, Willem de Kooning Academy
Building Karel Doormanhof/ Mauritsstraat
Mauritsstraat 36, 3012 CJ Rotterdam

An inquiry into fine versus applied arts versus media versus retail, departing from Henry Flynt and George Maciunas, with some coverage of contemporary cultural politics.