aims, objectives and the various stages of the project

We think it is commonly agreed that memory plays a huge role in the artistic
process. Every time you develop a visual concept, compose music, stage a play
or a dance performance, you are embodying a memory of the past. Human beings
like to tell stories from their experience of life; it is a worldwide cultural
tradition. The stories in them selves may be embellished each time they are
told and as Richard Rorty, the philosopher suggests that re-describing
something, new truths are created. He calls it an act of " re-description". By
re-defining or re-describing personal historical memories over and over again we
develop new patterns. Artists or scientists work/responsibilities in many ways we
believe are to re-describe or re-define our inherited conclusions in order to
create new ideas for the future.

Crossing Waters and Borders down Memory lane

Aims:
- To create new technology to give new inspiration for artists in the
future.
- To place the artists in a working environment that is comfortable.
- To explore the theme of emigration and memory.
- To retell old stories and place those stories in the present.
- To create imaginative multidisciplinary work.
- To work on an international level with artists from a.o. North America,
Russia, Japan,
Holland, Italy .....

Objectives:
- Crossing Waters and Borders down Memory Lane will be seen as a pilot
project in
2005 and the intention is to keep developing and improving this new
approach of work.
- To create one piece of performance art across the waters by using video
link.

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Process of the Artistic Programme
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1st stage: January 2005

Search Machine Programme: 1.

Ruud Lanfermeijer & Remko van Dokkum (the Netherlands) will develop a search
machine for the internet specifically aiming for content that has to do with
memory and emigration..

By typing in statements, questions and hypothesis evolved from the memory
workshops the searching machine will use the content on the internet which is
related to this.

The searching machine will be programmed in such a way that it will find
specific texts, words, sentences which can be used by the writers.

Besides useful texts related to the memory project one can also look for
images, film fragments, sounds and music.

The meaning of this searching machine is to use the internet as an inspiring
source specifically related to the memory project.

The content on the internet thus can be used as a sparing partner with whom a
textual, musical and visual dialogue can occur.

Memory will be aroused by the internet on a global scale.

2. Stage: 29 March - 2 April & 3 - 9 April 2005

A meeting/workshop in Cork will take place lasting for two weeks, coordinated
by Trish Edelstein, Ruud Lanfermeijer and Sasha Dees. 1 week is for
educational organisaiton and 1 week is for 21 selected artist. During the workshops,
the results of the searching machine will be grouped and archived in such a way
those writers, directors, musicians, choreographers and artists immediately
can work with it. The memory content of the internet has no boundaries, speaks
all languages and differs from a very personal to a very collective memory.

The internet itself is our global memory which people share. By developing
this searching machine we will be able to explore and exploit this collective
memory.

We will also programme it in such a way that users of this searching machine
can put their personal reminiscence memories on the internet. Thus feeding the
system and having the ability of people sharing memories on specific subjects.

3. Stage. April to September 2005

Each country/artist/group of artist will develop a performance piece using
the search machine for inspiration and the coordinators will find a way to link
the pieces of work together.

4. Stage. September to December 2005

Together with the development of the memory searching machine we will develop
a cd-rom in combination with the internet. The cd-rom will help others to
find, Achieve and use the memory content in a productive way. Pupils will be able
to make their own texts, musical scores, films and other pieces of art and
use their own memories in combination with the internet related memories.

5. Stage. December 2005

A performance using video link with all the countries/artists involved will
be premiered in Cork 2005.