1. fineArt forum: How an international online news service can aid the digital cause?
Nisar Keshvani
com
editor-in-chief, fAf:
lecturer, Ngee Ann Polytechnic:

2. Scope of Presentation fAf Background/History & Readership What is fAf?
fAf’s role in the art/tech world
How does fAf exist?
What you as an artist can do to promote your work?
fAf screening program
fAf’s future
Q&A
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3. History First issue – May 1987
Originated in back room of founder - Ray Lauzzana’s office
Began as the network news service of the Arts, Science and Technology Network (ASTN).
Existed as an online Internet bulletin board
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4. History II
Launched as an online service in mid-year 1993 using a Gopher based server
Based in Mississippi State University till 1992
Paul Brown on MSU brought it to Australia
January 1, 1994 began its present World Wide Web format.
1997 – in-house publication of QUT Communication Design Program
It has become the longest running arts magazine on the Internet
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5. Readership Approx 84 000 hits annually 1 500 unique subscribers
Highly regarded by the international professional art/tech community
Accessed by many educational establishments
Arts organisations (like the Getty Foundation, Christies, Xerox PARC) &
arts and computing publications (as a feeder for news and feature material).
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6. What is fAf? Available in two formats (free subscription)
Monthly e-digest
HTML (online version)
E-digest = text version ed to subscribers before magazine is online
Carries events, opportunities, developments in field
Stuff, Reviews & Online gallery is unique to web version
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7. fAf Index

8. Reviews, Stuff & Gallery Section
Critical reviews of international exhibitions, conferences, events
Stuff = new websites, projects, and exciting developments
Gallery = Showcase of artists’ works (Stelarc, Young Hae-Chang, Fats Lasay, Wang Peng)
“Trophies of Honor – Art Chronicles of Indigenous Peoples”
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9. fAf’s role in art/tech community
Is a crucial news feed for practitioners, news providers, newcomers to field
Presents the latest in a digestible format
A pro-active policy towards diversity of representation.
Avoids Eurocentrism and supports growing Asia Pacific by offering priority to them.
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10. How does fAf exist? Maintained by volunteers (15 QUT students)
Excellent exposure for young people to work on a ‘live’ int’l news service
Exists with support sympathetic organisations:
Australia Council for the Arts (funding 00-01)
Mississipi State University
Arts, Science and Technology Network
Leonardo-ISAST (France)
QUT’s Communication Design program
SIGGRAPH Singapore & Ngee Ann Polytechnic
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11. What you as an artist can do to promote your work?
Develop original concepts/ideas/works
Don’t be afraid to present your unique cultural works
Don’t adopt a foreign style if you don’t want to
Take advantage of Internet to showcase/promote your works
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12. What you as an artist can do to promote your work II?
Collaborate with local/foreign artists
Send out announcements about your work
Join mailing lists – to keep updated of latest in the field
Tap available resources – fAf, Rhizome, Leonardo
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13. What is fAf’s Screening Program?
In celebration of fAf’s 15th anniversary in 2002
A compilation of works (digital, film, video)
14 International artists – Taiwan, Malaysia, France, Australia, Singapore
Works from emerging artists with a cultural perspective
Co-premier in DMF2001 & MAAP (Australia)
Travel to various festivals & close with the 15th Singapore Int’l Film Festival in 2002
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14. fAf’s Achievements …
In Sept, formed a collaboration with ISEA to distribute fAf to its members
Closer ties with organisations – SIGGRAPH Singapore, Leonardo, MAAP etc
Exhibit work of emerging talented International, Australian Indigenous, Asia Pacific artists in its online gallery
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15. fAf’s future … Long-term plans :
Setting up a mirror site in the Asia Pacific region
Establishing closer ties with arts organisations in the region
Launching a commemorative 15th Anniversary CDROM in 2001
Possibility of making fAf Program annual
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16. Q&A
Subscribe to fAf:
- MSU (US) server
- QUT (Australian) server
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