Aesthetic artefacts

NordiCHI 2006 encourages "aesthetic artefacts" and follows the trend that started with NordiCHI 2002, promoting aesthetic artefacts as a submission category for experiments into how artistic expression and praxis affect perspectives on interfaces, contexts and design.

Traditional functionalism fails in relation to many new computer interfaces as well as the interaction between humans and computers. At the same time, traditional application areas may benefit from the inspiration from how digital forms are articulated in artistic expression. For example, digital arts challenge the way we understand the computer, and the relation between form and contents at the interface.

Examples of possible artefacts are (but not limited to): interactive artworks, computer games, interactive installations, net art, software art, artistic interfaces, aesthetic experiments with HCI-related issues. Accepted aesthetic artefacts will be exhibited at the conference in conjunction with the interactive event session. An aesthetic artefact submission is composed of three parts:

1) A short description of the artefact, max 2 pages, conforming to the NordiCHI 2006 short paper format. To be printed in the proceedings if accepted.

2) An exhibition plan, describing how the artefact is going to be exhibited, including any spatial requirements it has (one page).

3) (Optional) a film of the artefact or the performance with it up to 15 minutes long, and may be submitted in formats including DVI, MPEG, AVI, and QuickTime. Large files should be produced in DVD and sent by regular mail.

The short paper and the exhibition plan should be submitted through the conference paper submission and reviewing system, whereas the optional film or artefact should be submitted by email (film) to art@nordichi.org or by ordinary mail (DVD) in three copies. See here for publication format templates and submission details.

Submissions will be reviewed by the program committee and supplemented by an aesthetic artefacts special committee of artists and aesthetics scholars. Aesthetic criteria as well as an assessment of contribution to the ongoing understanding of human-computer interaction are taken into account.

Please observe that the presenters must supply all equipment necessary for the exhibition. Wireless Internet accesses will be available. A limited number of stationary computers will be provided. Please direct questions regarding aesthetic artefacts to art@nordichi.org.

Electronic submission deadline for aesthetic artefacts: July 10, 2006.