\\international\media\art\award 2005

New developments in brain research have ignited world wide debate on the question of free will. The source of contention: new imaging technologies, designed to render the process of human thought visible. The human brain is a fascinating cosmos, a highly complex organ and a subject that is explored in every field of science. The \\international\media\award\2005 for science and art is an interdisciplinary event and, as such, invites both artists and scientists alike to explore the questions: how do the images inside our heads work? And how do images of the insides of our heads work?

The power of the new technical images no longer lies in their autonomy or superiority, but rather, in the functions they serve: they help to increase both knowledge and insight. Images produced by Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Functional Magnetic Resonance Tomography (FMRT), real-time Electroencephalography (EEG) and other imaging technologies constitute the most important source of information available to scientists today. It is hoped that, with their help, such things as consciousness, intelligence, memory and feelings can be explained. These images facilitate the analysis of disease which, in turn, results in better therapy.

Images of the brain have become a focal point of attention. But, in contrast to images from the worlds of visual art and film, those from the realm of natural science have no history. To successfully produce an image and interpret it correctly is possible only after repeated attempts. The \\international\media\award\2005 for science and art is looking for images from the boundaries of art and science, images behind which the brain and its functions are concealed – the inner images.
Artists and scientists are invited to explore what these images mean for the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge, and to present their findings for discussion in animations and moving mentalimages.
 

Subject

The competition theme for 2005 is »mentalimages. From the pictures of our imagination to brain research«. Prizes will be awarded for artistic or scientific merit, independent image and sound expression, originality and creativity in the media specific handling and processing of the subject.
 

Transfer of Rights

All nominated entries will be broadcast on the third channels of ARD, on Swiss television SF DRS, on ARTE and repeated on 3sat and on EinsFestival. All entrants will be required to transfer all the relevant rights to their entries (transmission, distribution and archiving rights as well as the right to use excerpts for news, preliminary reporting and promotion purposes and on digital media and services such as the Internet, CDROM, DVD etc.) and will be required to indemnify SWR and ZKM from any claims made by third parties in connection with such use. A lump sum fee of € 1200 will be paid for rights to nominated entries. All entries will be broadcast solely in connection with the competition and any additional use will be subject to special agreement. The prize money will be deemed compensation for the rebroadcast of winning entries on ARD’s 3rd channels, SF DRS, ARTE, 3sat and ARD Digital. Entrants will be deemed to have transferred the relevant rights to the organizers upon submitting their entries.
 

Presentation, Archiving

Nominated entries may be presented by the organizers at non-profit events such as festivals. Award-winning entries will also be included in the ZKM Mediathek. The organisers will be deemed to have acquired the relevant rights by awarding the prizes.
 

Jury

A pre-selection jury established by the organisers will nominate a maximum of 50 entries for the \\international\media\award\2005. These entries will be broadcast, included in a catalogue and published on the Internet. An independent specialist jury will then award prizes to the nominated entries. The jury will take decisions by a majority vote. The jury‘s decisions will be final and recourse to the courts is excluded.
 

Jury Members

Prof. Dr. Dr. Olaf Breidbach
professor for the history of science, head of Ernst-Haeckel-Haus, University of Jena

Prof. Dr. Sigrid Weigel
director of the center for literature, Berlin

Prof. Dr. Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann
professor in virtual worlds and director of the interdiciplinary COMPUTER ANIMATION MIRALab, University of Geneva

Prof. Dr. Thomas Metzinger
professor for philosophy and director of the institut for the theory of philosophy, University of Mainz
 

Prizes

\\international\media\award\2005 for science and art
\\Video 12.000 €
\\international\media\award\2005 for science and art
\\INTERAKTIV 12.000 €

\\special award produktion of ZKM / SWR TV profile, 5000 €
donated by the Landesbank Baden-Württemberg
\\viewers' award non-monetary prize
\\nano spezial award winner and his/her work will be profiled in
nano, TV magazine about the future, 3000 €
donated by DFG (German Research Foundation)