NEoN Digital Arts Festival 2017
We have reached the end of NEoN Digital Arts Festival 2017, a programme full of thought-provoking exhibitions, exhilarating performances, one-of-a-kind workshops and much more! All of these unique experiences were tied together by the theme of Media Archeology, so we can’t help but imagine how we will be looking back this year’s happenings…
So, here’s a quick roundup of some of the things that stood out this year!
EXHIBITIONS & PERFORMANCES
There was a lot to be seen this year, across West Ward Works, DCA, Generator, McManus, Mills Observatory and more, internationally renowned artists were showing some incredible work. Performances were also an immense part of this remarkable work, specially at NEoN At Night – the sold out evening of an all out audiovisual spectacle!
Speed-walking through #neondundee Media Archeology group show! pic.twitter.com/lPTlSLdaG4
— NEoN (@weareneon) November 9, 2017
And now for some Verity Birt! #neondundee pic.twitter.com/qPlo1gYjvv
— NEoN (@weareneon) November 11, 2017
Special mention also needs to go to Geltung [Validity] at GENERATORproejcts. An exhibition that was as immersive as it was stimulating. On the Thursday night of the festival we saw some of these pieces in action, through the performances and presentations of the artists.
https://t.co/nz2PXW4BtI has mined over 1p! The first penny minted by human breath. Come to @GENERATORproj at 7pm tonight for the last gasp @weareneon #neon #crypto #blockchain pic.twitter.com/RoqyRdiQ96
— Max Dovey (@maxdovey) November 9, 2017
In fact, the Thursday night was a great way to explore the festival. From the powerful Records and Wireframes, to DCA’s ECHO and then Generator and West Ward Works – we got to see varying visions of a theme, in a presentation custom-made for Dundee.
Beep beep toot toot! Touring round dundee for @weareneon exhibitions. From@@DCAdundee to @GENERATORproj to West Ward Works! pic.twitter.com/4DmZvA84WL
— Clare Brennan (@ClareDundee) November 9, 2017
VOLUNTEERS
We really can’t say this enough, without all our volunteers none of this would have happened! So for anyone who helped us out before, during and after the festival – thank you!
Tomorrow we’re doing a post just about our volunteers so keep an eye out for that.
Well, the @weareneon take over of West Ward Works is darn delicious! What a job guys! Can’t wait to see the rest of the fest! #neondundee pic.twitter.com/7jkHZ0nE32
— Becca Clark (@beccaalclark) November 9, 2017
CONVERSATIONS
NEoN also became a forum for significant conversations on the festival’s theme. From debates and forums to talks and conversations in between venues. The pieces were once again immensely relevant to broader world issues and struck a chord with people in Scotland.
‘The area we filmed in is known as the place where the souls of bears go to dance’ Paul Walde, who is also exhibiting at Centrespace. #neondundee pic.twitter.com/cqntUNHe2f
— NEoN (@weareneon) November 10, 2017
Paul Walde brings into present possible futures, using climate data to create a music score performed at site of climate change #neondundee
— Sarah Cook (@sarahecook) November 10, 2017
Inspiring talk by Sarah Kenderine focused on embodied transmission of knowledge and how it can be archived. #mediaarchaeology @weareneon @sarahkenderine pic.twitter.com/chD70zVs1G
— Rhoda Ellis (@RhodaEllis) November 10, 2017
Climate Change? New planets? Orchestras on Glaciers. #Digital arts at #GreenArts member @DCAdundee for @weareneon (go see them yourself!) pic.twitter.com/F7B5b35JPg
— Creative Carbon Scot (@CCScotland) November 10, 2017
“We need to work with people to find out their hopes, to find out; ‘where do we want to be in the future?’” @i_serena at #neondundee pic.twitter.com/SSpM5iAgVH
— NEoN (@weareneon) November 10, 2017
RANGE
The partnerships we make during NEoN are way too many to mention, but probably one of the key elements in making the festival something that can make Dundee truly proud. This year’s programme included events in venues all around the city, from the Mecca Playhouse to the Mills Observatory. It was a great experience for local people to find new creative corners and visitors to get a feel for the city!
Here’s NEoN’s own @ClareDundee talking about all the amazing things we’ve seen this evening! #neondundee pic.twitter.com/R73GMIxLwx
— NEoN (@weareneon) November 9, 2017
Great to see @weareneon exhibitions today, gearing up for panel discussion now on artists using tech in the context of #ClimateChange @GENERATORproj @DCAdundee pic.twitter.com/eDTC0AN0Ig
— SCAN (@sca_net) November 10, 2017
Lovely evening watching Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times with some very dedicated fans tonight! #neondundee pic.twitter.com/9wHhSvSUir
— NEoN (@weareneon) November 10, 2017
MAKING
All the workshops this year were fascinating. Just the perfect mix of interesting, practical and hands-on. Let’s make a special mention of the Activity Space at West Ward Works, where some of these workshops happened. It was also a great place for the whole family, with retro tech and a play area for kids.
Loving the archaeology themed sandpit at the Neon Festival in Dundee @archscot @digit2017 @weareneon pic.twitter.com/uCYmSr3D0T
— Steve Page Lighting (@dundeecentral) November 10, 2017
If you thought good art was only in the main galleries, think again… #neondundee
Made at NEoN Activity Room! pic.twitter.com/wr62kgg8As
— NEoN (@weareneon) November 12, 2017
If you have been to NEoN this year, THANK YOU! We hope you had an imaginative and fun time like we did. There is still a lot of stuff online about the festival, so be sure to explore this site and find some hidden gems.
See you next year!
