marc garrett
Since the beginning
Works in London United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

ARTBASE (1)
PORTFOLIO (3)
BIO
Marc Garrett is co-director and co-founder, with artist Ruth Catlow of the Internet arts collectives and communities – Furtherfield.org, Furthernoise.org, Netbehaviour.org, also co-founder and co-curator/director of the gallery space formerly known as 'HTTP Gallery' now called the Furtherfield Gallery in London (Finsbury Park), UK. Co-curating various contemporary Media Arts exhibitions, projects nationally and internationally. Co-editor of 'Artists Re:Thinking Games' with Ruth Catlow and Corrado Morgana 2010. Hosted Furtherfield's critically acclaimed weekly broadcast on UK's Resonance FM Radio, a series of hour long live interviews with people working at the edge of contemporary practices in art, technology & social change. Currently doing an Art history Phd at the University of London, Birkbeck College.

Net artist, media artist, curator, writer, street artist, activist, educationalist and musician. Emerging in the late 80′s from the streets exploring creativity via agit-art tactics. Using unofficial, experimental platforms such as the streets, pirate radio such as the locally popular ‘Savage Yet Tender’ alternative broadcasting 1980′s group, net broadcasts, BBS systems, performance, intervention, events, pamphlets, warehouses and gallery spaces. In the early nineties, was co-sysop (systems operator) with Heath Bunting on Cybercafe BBS with Irational.org.

Our mission is to co-create extraordinary art that connects with contemporary audiences providing innovative, engaging and inclusive digital and physical spaces for appreciating and participating in practices in art, technology and social change. As well as finding alternative ways around already dominating hegemonies, thus claiming for ourselves and our peer networks a culturally aware and critical dialogue beyond traditional hierarchical behaviours. Influenced by situationist theory, fluxus, free and open source culture, and processes of self-education and peer learning, in an art, activist and community context.
Discussions (1712) Opportunities (15) Events (175) Jobs (2)
DISCUSSION

Call for Artistic Director of the Ars Electronica Center


I'm busy at the moment - but may be another time ;-)

marc

>Artistic Director
>
>Your Responsibilities:
>+ Acting as top management spokesperson
>+ Artistic-substantive program development in
>all of Ars Electronica’s fields of activity—the
>Ars Electronica Festival, the Prix Ars Electronica,
>the Museum of the Future and the Ars
>Electronica Futurelab
>+ Public relations and press relations
>+ Planning and execution of the Ars Electronica
>Festival and the Prix Ars Electronica
>
>Your Qualifications:
>+ Excellent knowledge of and connections to the
>international art and technology scene
>+ Outstanding track record in an artistic and/or
>scholarly leadership position and proven ability
>to provide substantive orientation and leader-
>ship to a top international cultural institution
>+ Team-oriented approach that makes for a
>good fit in a cooperative management model
>+ Fluency in English and German
>
>Short-listed candidates will be invited to interview
>in person. The successful applicant will be signed
>to a five-year contract with an option to renew.
>
>for more informations visit:
>
>http://www.aec.at/en/ausschreibung/
>+
>-> post: list@rhizome.org
>-> questions: info@rhizome.org
>-> subscribe/unsubscribe: http://rhizome.org/preferences/subscribe.rhiz
>-> give: http://rhizome.org/support
>-> visit: on Fridays the Rhizome.org web site is open to non-members
>+
>Subscribers to Rhizome are subject to the terms set out in the
>Membership Agreement available online at http://rhizome.org/info/29.php
>
>
>
>

DISCUSSION

Re: [NEW-MEDIA-CURATING] International Support Letter for Steven Kurtz / CAE


Hi Kanarinka,

Yes - I agree with the below. I think the quicker the better, so more
can follow some system and put in their own statements in respect of
such a disgusting act by the FBI...

I'll follow :-)

marc

>Hello all,
>
>I haven't seen any such letter but I think it's a great idea and I
>already want to sign it. I vote for a draft letter by small committee so
>that it will happen quickly to get it out ASAP to as many people as
>possible for signing. I was at the Interventionists exhibit this weekend
>where CAE had a description of the events that took place. Most patrons
>were appalled. Some believed that it was simply not true. It's very
>important that this event be circulated amongst a wider audience.
>
>
>kanarinka
>co-director, www.ikatun.com
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Curating digital art - www.newmedia.sunderland.ac.uk/crumb/
>[mailto:NEW-MEDIA-CURATING@JISCMAIL.AC.UK] On Behalf Of Eric Kluitenberg
>Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2004 5:32 PM
>To: NEW-MEDIA-CURATING@JISCMAIL.AC.UK
>Subject: International Support Letter for Steven Kurtz / CAE
>Importance: High
>
>
>Dear friends,
>
>Is anybody already working on a support letter for Steven Kurtz?
>
>Maybe we orverlooked the most obvious way to help at this point, which
>is to provide an international letter, signed by a list of
>internationally acclaimed curators, writers, critics, artists, and
>anybody else out there who has a direct and professional relationship to
>the work of Steven Kurtz and the Critical Art Ensemble.
>
>More information on the support campaign can at this point be found at
>the following web page: http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/
>
>How do we write the letter - do we circulate a draft letter publically,
>or in small committee?
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Eric Kluitenberg
>De Balie - Centre for Culture and Politics, Amsterdam
>http://www.debalie.nl
>
>
>------------------
>
>
>May 25, 2004
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>FBI ABDUCTS ARTIST, SEIZES ART
>Feds Unable to Distinguish Art from Bioterrorism
>Grieving Artist Denied Access to Deceased Wife's Body
>
> DEFENSE FUND ESTABLISHED - HELP URGENTLY NEEDED
>
>Steve Kurtz was already suffering from one tragedy when he called 911
>early in the morning to tell them his wife had suffered a cardiac arrest
>and died in her sleep. The police arrived and, cranked up on the
>rhetoric of the "War on Terror," decided Kurtz's art supplies were
>actually bioterrorism weapons.
>
>Thus began an Orwellian stream of events in which FBI agents abducted
>Kurtz without charges, sealed off his entire block, and confiscated his
>computers, manuscripts, art supplies... and even his wife's body.
>
>Like the case of Brandon Mayfield, the Muslim lawyer from Portland
>imprisoned for two weeks on the flimsiest of false evidence, Kurtz's
>case amply demonstrates the dangers posed by the USA PATRIOT Act coupled
>with government-nurtured terrorism hysteria.
>
>Kurtz's case is ongoing, and, on top of everything else, Kurtz is facing
>a mountain of legal fees. Donations to his legal defense can be made at
>http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/
>
>FEAR RUN AMOK
>
>Steve Kurtz is Associate Professor in the Department of Art at the State
>University of New York's University at Buffalo, and a member of the
>internationally-acclaimed Critical Art Ensemble.
>
>Kurtz's wife, Hope Kurtz, died in her sleep of cardiac arrest in the
>early morning hours of May 11. Police arrived, became suspicious of
>Kurtz's art supplies and called the FBI.
>
>Within hours, FBI agents had "detained" Kurtz as a suspected
>bioterrorist and cordoned off the entire block around his house. (Kurtz
>walked away the next day on the advice of a lawyer, his "detention"
>having proved to be
>illegal.) Over the next few days, dozens of agents in hazmat suits, from
>a number of law enforcement agencies, sifted through Kurtz's work,
>analyzing it on-site and impounding computers, manuscripts, books,
>equipment, and even his wife's body for further analysis. Meanwhile, the
>Buffalo Health Department condemned his house as a health risk.
>
>Kurtz, a member of the Critical Art Ensemble, makes art which addresses
>the politics of biotechnology. "Free Range Grains," CAE's latest
>project, included a mobile DNA extraction laboratory for testing food
>products for possible transgenic contamination. It was this equipment
>which triggered the Kafkaesque chain of events.
>
>FBI field and laboratory tests have shown that Kurtz's equipment was not
>used for any illegal purpose. In fact, it is not even _possible_ to use
>this equipment for the production or weaponization of dangerous germs.
>Furthermore, any person in the US may legally obtain and possess such
>equipment.
>
>"Today, there is no legal way to stop huge corporations from putting
>genetically altered material in our food," said Defense Fund spokeswoman
>Carla Mendes. "Yet owning the equipment required to test for the
>presence of 'Frankenfood' will get you accused of 'terrorism.' You can
>be illegally detained by shadowy government agents, lose access to your
>home, work, and belongings, and find that your recently deceased
>spouse's body has been taken away for 'analysis.'"
>
>Though Kurtz has finally been able to return to his home and recover his
>wife's body, the FBI has still not returned any of his equipment,
>computers or manuscripts, nor given any indication of when they will.
>The case remains open.
>
>HELP URGENTLY NEEDED
>
>A small fortune has already been spent on lawyers for Kurtz and other
>Critical Art Ensemble members. A defense fund has been established at
>http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/ to help defray the legal costs which
>will continue to mount so long as the investigation continues. Donations
>go directly to the legal defense of Kurtz and other Critical Art
>Ensemble members. Should the funds raised exceed the cost of the legal
>defense, any remaining money will be used to help other artists in need.
>
>To make a donation, please visit http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/
>
>For more information on the Critical Art Ensemble, please visit
>http://www.critical-art.net/
>
>Articles about the case:
>http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/news-WKBW-2.html
>http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/news-WKBW.html
>
>On advice of counsel, Steve Kurtz is unable to answer questions
>regarding his case. Please direct questions or comments to Carla Mendes
><CAEdefense@rtmark.com>.
>
>
>
>

DISCUSSION

support Steve Kurtz & Critical Arts Ensemble!!


Rhizomerz - perhaps write a collaborative letter/web site to support Steve Kurtz & the Critical Art Ensemble...

Has anyone on this list begun such an action? If so let me know, I would glady offer any support immediately.

marc

Support Steve Kurtz and the Critical Art Ensemble
=================================================

Dear CTheory Readers,

We recently received the following news which is really
disturbing in terms of civil rights and artistic freedom in the
present political climate spawned by the so-called "War on
Terrorism."

We strongly encourage everyone to read the full announcement and
to support Steve Kurtz and the Critical Art Ensemble.

Arthur and Marilouise Kroker, Editors

====================================

Dr. Steven Kurtz, professor of art at SUNY Buffalo and members of
the Critical Arts Ensemble are facing indictment at a grand jury
trial in Buffalo, NY, June 15. The FBI is bringing bioterrorism
charges against the group for possession of a biotechnology lab found
at Kurtz's home. Thus, the group will incur gigantic legal fees and
face imprisonment.

Dr. Kurtz and CAE are internationally recognized lecturers in the
areas of biotechnology, information technology and media studies.
Their work has always been anti-terrorist, that is, against fear as a
cultural detriment to discussion. For more information and
support, see:

www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/

Louis Hillman

---------------------------------------------------------------------

May 25, 2004

FBI ABDUCTS ARTIST, SEIZES ART
Feds Unable to Distinguish Art from Bioterrorism
Grieving Artist Denied Access to Deceased Wife's Body

______________________________________________________
| |
| HELP URGENTLY NEEDED FOR LEGAL DEFENSE |
| |
| For donations contact: CAEdefense@rtmark.com |
| |
|____________________________________________________|

Steve Kurtz was already suffering from one tragedy when he called 911
early in the morning to tell them his wife had suffered a cardiac
arrest and died in her sleep. The police arrived and, cranked up on
the rhetoric of the "War on Terror," decided Kurtz's art supplies
were actually bioterrorism weapons.

Thus began an Orwellian stream of events in which FBI agents abducted
Kurtz without charges, sealed off his entire block, and confiscated
his computers, manuscripts, art supplies... and even his wife's body.

Like the case of Brandon Mayfield, the Muslim lawyer from Portland
imprisoned for two weeks on the flimsiest of false evidence, Kurtz's
case amply demonstrates the dangers posed by the USA PATRIOT Act
coupled with government-nurtured terrorism hysteria.

Kurtz's case is ongoing, and, on top of everything else, Kurtz is
facing a mountain of legal fees. Donations to his legal defense can
be made at http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/

FEAR RUN AMOK
-------------

Steve Kurtz is Associate Professor in the Department of Art at the
State University of New York's University at Buffalo, and a member of
the internationally-acclaimed Critical Art Ensemble.

Kurtz's wife, Hope Kurtz, died in her sleep of cardiac arrest in the
early morning hours of May 11. Police arrived, became suspicious of
Kurtz's art supplies and called the FBI.

Within hours, FBI agents had "detained" Kurtz as a suspected
bioterrorist and cordoned off the entire block around his house.
(Kurtz walked away the next day on the advice of a lawyer, his
"detention" having proved to be illegal.) Over the next few days,
dozens of agents in hazmat suits, from a number of law enforcement
agencies, sifted through Kurtz's work, analyzing it on-site and
impounding computers, manuscripts, books, equipment, and even his
wife's body for further analysis. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Health
Department condemned his house as a health risk.

Kurtz, a member of the Critical Art Ensemble, makes art which
addresses the politics of biotechnology. "Free Range Grains," CAE's
latest project, included a mobile DNA extraction laboratory for
testing food products for possible transgenic contamination. It was
this equipment which triggered the Kafkaesque chain of events.

FBI field and laboratory tests have shown that Kurtz's equipment was
not used for any illegal purpose. In fact, it is not even possible to
use this equipment for the production or weaponization of dangerous
germs. Furthermore, any person in the US may legally obtain and
possess such equipment.

"Today, there is no legal way to stop huge corporations from putting
genetically altered material in our food," said Defense Fund
spokeswoman Carla Mendes. "Yet owning the equipment required to test
for the presence of 'Frankenfood' will get you accused of
'terrorism.' You can be illegally detained by shadowy government
agents, lose access to your home, work, and belongings, and find that
your recently deceased spouse's body has been taken away for
'analysis.'"

Though Kurtz has finally been able to return to his home and recover
his wife's body, the FBI has still not returned any of his equipment,
computers or manuscripts, nor given any indication of when they will.
The case remains open.

HELP URGENTLY NEEDED
--------------------

A small fortune has already been spent on lawyers for Kurtz and other
Critical Art Ensemble members. A defense fund has been established at
http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/ to help defray the legal costs
which will continue to mount so long as the investigation continues.
Donations go directly to the legal defense of Kurtz and other
Critical Art Ensemble members. Should the funds raised exceed the
cost of the legal defense, any remaining money will be used to help
other artists in need.

For more information on the Critical Art Ensemble, please visit
http://www.critical-art.net/

Articles about the case:
http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/news-WKBW-2.html
http://www.rtmark.com/CAEdefense/news-WKBW.html

On advice of counsel, Steve Kurtz is unable to answer questions
regarding his case. Please direct questions or comments to Carla
Mendes <CAEdefense@rtmark.com>.

_____________________________________________________________________

*
* CTHEORY is an international journal of theory, technology and
* culture. Articles, interviews, and key book reviews in
* contemporary discourse are published weekly as well as
* theorisations of major "event-scenes" in the mediascape.
*
* Editors: Arthur and Marilouise Kroker
*
* Editorial Board: Jean Baudrillard (Paris), Paul Virilio (Paris),
* Bruce Sterling (Austin), R.U. Sirius (San Francisco), Siegfried
* Zielinski (Koeln), Stelarc (Melbourne), Richard Kadrey (San
* Francisco), DJ Spooky [Paul D. Miller] (NYC), Timothy Murray
* (Ithaca/Cornell), Lynn Hershman Leeson (San Francisco), Stephen
* Pfohl (Boston), Andrew Ross (NYC), David Cook (Toronto), Ralph
* Melcher (Sante Fe), Shannon Bell (Toronto), Gad Horowitz
* (Toronto), Andrew Wernick (Peterborough).
*
* In Memory: Kathy Acker
*
* Editorial Correspondents: Ken Hollings (UK),
* Maurice Charland (Canada) Steve Gibson (Canada/Sweden).
*
* Editorial Assistant: Ted Hiebert
* WWW Design & Technical Advisor: Spencer Saunders (CTHEORY.NET)
* WWW Engineer Emeritus: Carl Steadman

_____________________________________________________________________

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_____________________________________________________________________

* CTHEORY includes:
*
* 1. Electronic reviews of key books in contemporary theory.
*
* 2. Electronic articles on theory, technology and culture.
*
* 3. Event-scenes in politics, culture and the mediascape.
*
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*
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* Indexed in: International Political Science Abstracts/
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*
_____________________________________________________________________

DISCUSSION

Re: Re: Peace Is Not a Game


To Michael and Rhizome bunnies...

I think that I should mention - that I am still part of Rhizome and
still use its resources regularly just like everyone else does here. I
have generously given money to Rhizome in respect of subscriptions for a
while now - usually between $35 to $70 a year, not because I can afford
it, but because I wish for this place to exist and continue.

I think that I might add here, cuz it's funny - that we at Furtherfield
have not asked money from rachel or anyone else out there to support our
core activities - but if we do get in trouble and need cash - i hope
that Rhizome people will support us also financially just as we have
ourselves actively supported rhizome in the past and still do, it's all
about mutual respect surely ;-)

Just because I have disagreed in the past with some of what rhizome has
done and does, does not mean that I wish it dead - on the contrary, I
respect rhizome - i think that this is part of the problem for the many
who have grown with rhizome through the years.

Please - please please - just because one debates about things does not
mean that they are terrorists! it feels like that stupid Bush saying
'you are either with us or against us'. So, that means that T.Whid is
now against Rhizome and he should be seen as a subversive scum-bag
commy. Of course, this is not the case - but I do not wish to be tarred
with such simple dichotomies either...and (hopefully) I am not.

And, I just hope - I really, really hope - that there is not some kind
of nationalist macho fist thumping going on at both sides - The UK or
USA. I am not interested in such shallow values - I personally, am
totally against killing creativity, for it is a soulless act - and it
kills hope. Alternative and imaginative creativity needs to breath free
from idiots who love Killing for their own egos - an empty, despotic and
nihilist mannerism.

Rhizome is a completely different entity to what was asked for by many
of the people who have dedicated a lot of their mind and soul to this
list and Rhizome's other facilities - which of course have been useful
to all concerned.

I now do not agree with T.Whid - I now think that Rhizome should do what
it wants (which it will do anyway and always has done) and develop,
explore its own evolution, it cannot turn back now - it has gone too far
down a certain road. The irony is, that Rhizome has been trying to tell
everyone for years - that it was not going to be what everyone asked it
to be.

I am sure that if it is supported, which I will continue to do myself
-be a part of its user/social-network, and questions about its new
growth are much more about its potential futures, rather than what it
could of been or should be - a more constructive contribution from
everyone. It will be better for all concerned.

There are certain things that I have questions for - regarding my own
personal relationship with Rhizome, but that is a personal issue, a
micro one - separate from the other practices that I am involved in,
net-based or new media related. I know that you are right - and no one
at Rhizome would even be bothered to stoop so low as to black-list or
actively ignore mine and Ruth's work - or furtherfield projects etc - it
is just stupid and myopic. They have got more interesting and more
important things to do than waste precious time on such banal actions.

I would like to take this opportunity to be brave enough, and publically
aplogize on this list for my silly article that had Mark River and
Rachel green shouting at me - they were right to, it was irresponsible
and everything what Mark said was right, mostly - except that it was
about promoting the project I was embarking on at the time. Looking back
on it - I was wrong, the timing, the words, the intentions, the damage
it may have caused, the hurt, the delusion and the disrespect directed
towards rachel herself. Sorry again...

I am very positive about future things regarding Rhizome, and feel that
myself and others should just get real - and use Rhizome for what it is
now - and use it well. If you want Rhizome to be something else, then
get out there make something else as close as you can that resembles
such visions.

Shall we just get on with things - and stop fighting each other -
dividing ourselves from working with each other, move out of the 'faded
dreams section' and into the' now' section, with questions like where
are we now? What shale we all do now, together?

much respect to all.

marc

>HI Marc
>personally I meant no more than I said.
>Ruth's piece is a great piece & more people should
>know it.
>However I don't believe NAN or Rhizome is run
>conspiratorially.
>I love what you are doing on Furtherfield and with the
>Netbehaviour list - but I continue to enjoy and
>benefit from Rhizome -there's room for plenty of
>different approaches in my view.
>
>People keep saying , in various quarters, "Rhizome is
>dead" or words to that effect -I can't say it seems
>like that to me -I think there've actually been some
>pretty interesting discussions here recently and for
>breadth I think it still can't be beaten, and while I
>entirely understand the argument about making the
>content available, which does seem to need to be
>addressed in some way, I still think $5 is actually
>ridiculously cheap .
>When we bandy words like collectivity or solidarity
>whatever about I think its not some tribal thing- you
>know -I'm loyal to *my* list( and definitely God help
>us not a *national* thing like Brits V. US or whatever
>) but that we should link arms with our fellow artists
>in the interests at a minimum of useful discussion and
>maybe at some point we might be able to collectively
>work to improve opportunites and conditions for *all*
>of us.
>I think *this* list against *that* list or *this* way
>of organizing a for want of a better word "curatorial"
>site against *that* way of doing it is a pointless
>distraction.
>best
>michael
>
>--- marc <marc.garrett@furtherfield.org> wrote:
>
>
>>Yes - an excellent piece of work - I was very
>>surprised that it was not
>>not covered on here, makes one wonder...mmm.
>>
>>marc
>>
>>
>>
>>>Haven't checked this out yet, sounds good ... on a
>>>connected note I don't think Ruth Catlow's
>>>
>>>
>>excellent
>>
>>
>>>'Rethinking Wargames'
>>>http://www.low-fi.org.uk/rethinkingwargames/
>>>got NAN coverage -it should have!
>>>michael
>>>--- Net Art News <netartnews@rhizome.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>---------------------------------
>>>NET ART NEWS May 24,
>>>
>>>
>>2004Peace
>>
>>
>>>Is Not a GameAntiwargame, a free online game by the
>>>San Francisco-based futurefarmerscollective, has a
>>>simple premise: stay president of the U.S.A. while
>>>thecountry is in crisis after a terrorist attack.
>>>
>>>
>>The
>>
>>
>>>presidentaE

DISCUSSION

Re: Re: Peace Is Not a Game


Yes - an excellent piece of work - I was very surprised that it was not
not covered on here, makes one wonder...mmm.

marc

>Haven't checked this out yet, sounds good ... on a
>connected note I don't think Ruth Catlow's excellent
>'Rethinking Wargames'
>http://www.low-fi.org.uk/rethinkingwargames/
> got NAN coverage -it should have!
>michael
>--- Net Art News <netartnews@rhizome.org> wrote:
>
>---------------------------------
> NET ART NEWS May 24, 2004Peace
>Is Not a GameAntiwargame, a free online game by the
>San Francisco-based futurefarmerscollective, has a
>simple premise: stay president of the U.S.A. while
>thecountry is in crisis after a terrorist attack. The
>presidentaE