CALL FOR NEW MEDIA WORKS:
9th Annual DESH PARDESH CONFERENCE/FESTIVAL -
July 23-26th 1998, Toronto, Canada:

Desh Pardesh, in association with InterAccess Electronic Media Arts
Centre and CyberStage Communications, is seeking work from both
established and emerging new media artists for the new media component
of the 1998 Festival and Conference.

Desh Pardesh presents the annual Festival and Conference which
celebrates new expressions, and facilitates the development of Diasporic
South Asian arts, culture, and politics in the West. The
Festival/Conference is an inter-cultural event including
multi-disciplinary programs, workshops, panels, forums, dances, and
more.

Desh Pardesh encourages and supports submissions from Diasporic South
Asian communities. Desh Pardesh also encourages and supports
cross-cultural collaborations among Diasporic South Asians, first
nations and people of colour.

+ New Media Component

Popular doctrine on the state of new technology, in particular the
Internet, is as democratizer and borderless communicator. Clearly, new
technologies are revolutionizing our interactions–our modes of
information, communication and participation. In turn, indigenous
communities and communities of colour continue to make vital
contributions to the dialogue regarding both the positive and negative
potential of new technologies. The new media component of the
Festival/Conference has been initiated to explore the art and activism
of Diasporic South Asians, First Nations and other communities of colour
through their use of digital technology and it surrounding discourse.

+ Theme

COMMUNITIES VIRTUAL–In this first venture into new media, Desh Pardesh
proposes to re-examine our understanding of community in light of the
emerging Virtual Communities which have come out of a history of local
bulletin board systems and now from the Internet. What part do
geography, history, language and art play in defining community? How do
we address the keystone issue of access to Virtual Communities? What
models are being invented which will allow for our inclusion and
participation? What new visions and strategies for inter-cultural and
inter-national alliances need to be explored? Beyond on-line
communities, how do we create an on-line culture?

Submissions Deadline: Monday March 23rd, 1998

For more info please contact 416-340-0485.