Heading to the Outpost: a Multimedia Fundraising
Event
By Claire Letemendia, posted Dec 04,
2001
How can new technology, music and the arts be put to the service of
the broader community? Organic multimedia group Outpost 42 gave its
answer on November 22 by hosting the first in a series of
collaborative events dedicated to raising awareness of social and
environmental issues.
The launch at Toronto’s Roxy Blu nightclub featured musicians,
artists and technology professionals from across Canada. Proceeds
raised were to benefit Pollution Probe, the thirty year-old Canadian
organization dedicated to research, education and advocacy for
environmental renewal.
Fomented over six months ago,
Outpost 42 seeks to act "as a catalyst to bring people together and
promote positive change" through experimentation in both virtual and
real world settings, promising "to entice and challenge . . .
musically, visually, intellectually and socially."
Different contributors will be involved in each of its seasonal
events, building a continuous forward momentum that may eventually
span international borders, according to core Outposter Naomi
Gourlay.
At its debut, Outpost located activities in two adjoining areas
of the nightclub: an exploratory room and a larger dance space. The
crowd of over 400 could browse among interactive installations,
watch live video, move to progressive dance beats, and catch an
educative flash presentation on the environment – not to mention
network and enjoy the party.
Installations included many projects that successfully combined
more conventional with digital technology, such as
designer/photographer Matthew Wearn’s beautiful photomontage, in
which the user becomes the random element by playing with a mosaic
of images which are now accessible at his Web site, http://www.suibaku.com./
Canadian Film Centre’s H@bitat presented an interactive theatre –
a pseudodocumentary in which the user is part of the story.
Meanwhile, in the dance space four live videos were presented, each
by separate teams with their chosen DJs. The videos had been sent
ahead in storyboard format to the DJs to provide inspiration for the
accompanying music.
Outpost’s launch was captured on video by the Toronto Academy of
Design and should be online at the Web site this coming week.
Outpost also has plans to assemble DVDs of its events for
"edutainment" purposes – to be distributed in schools, colleges and
other learning venues – which would build a revenue stream for
further fundraising projects.
With accumulated knowledge, broadening networks and a growing
track record, Outpost may set the tone for future charitable events,
if creative and committed people in the arts and technology are to
become involved on a long-term basis. Gourlay is putting out a call
for artists, musicians and technology gurus across Canada – and
internationally – to contribute to Outpost’s next venture in the
Spring.
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