What is ISEA?

ISEA – the International Symposium on Electronic Art – is an annual event that moves around the world.

This series of symposia was initiated in 1988 in order to support the founding and maintenance of an international network of organisations and individuals active in the field of the electronic arts.

The network took the shape of an association, founded in 1990 in the Netherlands, called the Inter-Society for the Electronic Arts. The board and membership of ISEA has always been international, bringing together individuals and organisations from around the world. From 1990 until 1996 ISEA was based in the Netherlands, from 1996 to 2001 its headquarters were in Montréal, Canada, and in 2009 a new headquarters was established at the University of Brighton, UK. The Inter-Society existed for over 15 years as a membership organisation, until in 2009 ISEA was changed from an association to a foundation in order to better serve its mission.

The organisation is now managed by the ISEA International Foundation Board, whose main role is to oversee the organisation of the symposia in each selected city. It assures the continuity of symposia identity and quality, and works closely with each host organisation. The symposia have been held as both a biennial and annual event. In 1998, the symposium returned to the biennial format for ten years; however it is now held annually.


When will ISEA2013 be held?

ISEA2013 will be held from Friday 7th until Sunday 16th June 2013. ISEA2013 will open with a series of talks, exhibitions and events presented in conjunction with our partners at Vivid Sydney over the first weekend, moving into our core conference program over the middle week and finishing with a major weekend of creativity and geekery to close the program. We will also be working with a range of partners around Sydney, across NSW and Australia to ensure that there is an exciting program of workshops, residencies, exhibitions and events leading into and out of ISEA.
What is ISEA’s definition of ‘electronic art’?

ISEA International defines ‘electronic art’ as art that cannot be created without electronic means. This does not mean that the work itself must include a screen, projector, embedded computer or electronic components; as long as computer software, the internet, databases, wireless devices, electronic components and/or physical computing has played an important role in its creation, the resulting work can be in any media.


Where will ISEA2013 be held?

ISEA2013 will be held in a range of venues in and around Sydney, Australia. This will include galleries, museums and art venues both large and small, universities and other partner institutions, as well as a range of non-conventional sites and spaces for exhibitions and performances.

ISEA2013 has engaged not merely inner city Sydney but other parts of Sydney, New South Wales and Australia to host satellite events, residencies and projects that will take place during, or lead in and out of, ISEA2013 itself.

The three-day conference will be held at The University of Sydney from Tuesday, 11th to Thursday, 13th June 2013.


Applications for Artwork & Call for Participation for ISEA2013?

We are no longer accepting applications. The final processing of proposals is currently being completed and all applicants will be notified as to whether they will be included in the program for ISEA2013.

The Conference is currently being scheduled by the Co-Chairs and Conference Programming Coordinator.


What is the assessment process for each application?

The ISEA2013 Curatorial Committee has provided a shortlist of projects, the Director Jonathan Parsons and ISEA2013 Producers are working with venue and cultural partners to confirm the final program. 


What is the process for the Peer-reviewed Conference Proceedings?

The deadline for submitting papers to the peer-reviewed conference proceedings is Monday 1 July. Please submit your paper (3,000 word limit) as a word document, without any identification, on http://isea2013.org/openconf: click the ‘file upload’ button at the top of your submission page.

Where can I find out about other ISEAs?

ISEA2011 was held in Istanbul, Turkey in September 2011 and you can visit their website here. ISEA2012 Machine Wilderness was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in September 2012 — more information on their program can be found here.  ISEA2014 will be held in Dubai, you can find out more at their website, www.isea2014.org.