NODE08 Kicking off the journey and the discourse on Arts and Technology

Born out of the idea to bring users and developers of the graphical programming language vvvv together in one space, NODE08 made its debut in April 2008 with a one week program including workshops, lectures, presentations, performances and an exhibition.

As part of the Luminale Light Art Festival 2008, NODE Forum for Digital Arts invited artists, designers, architects and technical minded people to share their knowledge in various festival formats. Whether it was about media art, controlling lighting systems, synaesthetic experiences or video projections into 3d spaces – NODE brought together people that recognised the immense potential of software as a central working tool.

Program

NODE08’s program was divided into several complementing formats revolving around the creative use of technology.

Patchers unite! Nucleus for a vibrant software community

Professional Program

With over 300 sold tickets the educational workshop program turned out to be the most important element of NODE08. For the first time in history of ‘vvvv’ users from all over the world gathered in Frankfurt to exchange knowledge and ideas in a series of workshops.

Captivating Collective Enthusiasm: NODE08 Exhibition

Exhibition

From new forms of human/machine interaction, interactive spatial experiences, playful digital games to the latest technological experiments: NODE08 gathered the spirit and drive of the vvvv community in one space, back when digital art was not featured on the big gallery line ups yet.

Creative Coding and beyond: considering the social impact of technology

Symposium

Moderated by Eno Henze a series of lectures delivered an insight into current trends. A curated line up of speakers working in various academic and applied domains shared insights into creative coding and the aesthetics of computer art.

Insights into the creative world of code

Specials

Next to NODE's heavy knowledge input formats, the side program offered happenings for the jauntily curious crowd.

“A revelation!”

Data is Nature

Rooted in the vvvv community

NODE08 first provided a real life platform to the ever growing community around vvvv, a software toolkit for media artists:
A chance to get to know each other, to present, to exchange and share the most recent developments with a curious and hungry audience.

Initially planned as a vvvv community meeting it became quickly apparent that this gathering was way more than that: People working across boundaries of diverse applied and artistic fields were offered a week long schedule, which allowed them to exchange experiences and discuss current technological and artistic trends. Furthermore participants had the chance to showcase their own works and projects and to broaden their knowledge of vvvv in a variety of different workshops.

Through the collaboration with Luminale, NODE’s mission of abolishing technological contraints and diminishing the mystification of technology in the arts took shape in a fascinating and inspiring week long festival.

Special thanks to
the whole team and all volunteers
who made NODE08 happen!