COSIGN 2003: final call

The deadline for submissions to COSIGN 2003 is almost here (28th March 2003
for artworks and papers) so submissions should be made as soon as possible.

We have a couple of important bits of news about the conference. The first
is that we have managed to confirm Char Davies and Marc Cavazza as keynote
speakers. We are particularly pleased to have Char Davies as a keynote -
Char's groundbreaking work in virtual environments has made her one of the
few true legends in digital art and COSIGN 2003 will offer a rare
opportunity to hear her speak in person.

In addition, we wish to announce that we have funding for selected artists
(though this is limited).

An abridged version of the CFP follows. Please distribute to anyone who may
be interested.

Andy Clarke



*****************************************************
*
* Final Call For Papers
*
*****************************************************
*
* COSIGN 2003
*
* The 3rd International Conference on
* COMPUTATIONAL SEMIOTICS FOR GAMES AND NEW MEDIA
*
* University of Teesside (UK)
* 10th - 12th September, 2003
*
* http://www-scm.tees.ac.uk/users/p.c.fencott/cosign2003
*
******************************************************
*
* KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
*
* Char Davies - Creator of Osmose and Ephemere
* Marc Cavazza - Researcher in Virtual Characters
* and Virtual Storytelling
*
******************************************************
*
* OTHER NEWS:
* Funding for selected artists
*
******************************************************



The submission deadlines for COSIGN 2003 are almost here. Artists and
academics wishing to submit work should do so immediately. We are pleased to
announce that funding has been obtained to allow COSIGN 2003 to provide some
degree of financial support to artists accepted by the COSIGN 2003 artwork
committee.

Deadline for ARTWORKS and ACADEMIC PAPERS: 28th March 2003
Deadline for POSTERS and TECHNICAL DEMONSTRATIONS: 24th April 2003



CONFERENCE SCOPE
====================

As in previous years, this third annual COSIGN conference provides an
exciting cross-disciplinary event for exploring the ways in which meaning
can be created by, encoded in, understood by, or produced through, the
computer (using systems or techniques based upon semiotics). COSIGN is for
anyone with an interest in areas of overlap (or potential overlap) between
semiotics and computers including computer scientists, HCI and AI
practitioners, digital artists, designers, critics, theorists, semioticians,
narratologists, etc. In addition to the academic papers and artwork
presentations, COSIGN will include a range of participatory events such as
papers, workshops,
tutorials, panel discussions to provide the space for the vital and vibrant
discussions that it is known for.

Media that make use of the unique capabilities of digital systems are of
particular interest to this conference. These include, but are not limited
to, the following: virtual reality systems and virtual environments;
hypertext, hypermedia, multimedia and the internet; content analysis systems
(particularly those that extract higher-level meaning); the semantic web
(and similar systems); digital art, net art and other technology-based or
technology-oriented art forms; computer games, interactive narratives and
other forms of interactive entertainment.

Information about the conference is available at the following web address:
http://www-scm.tees.ac.uk/users/p.c.fencott/cosign2003

The programme and proceedings of COSIGN 2001 and COSIGN 2002 are available
online at the following web address:
http://www.kinonet.com/conferences/



KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
================

Char Davies

As the creator of Osmose (1995) and Ephemere (1998), Char Davies has firmly
established herself at the forefront of digital art. Combining cutting-edge
virtual reality technology with a distinctive personal aesthetic, these
groundbreaking immersive environments have left a lasting impression on all
who have experienced them. Char has explored themes of nature, psyche, and
perception through her work for more than two decades, using a variety of
media including painting, film and animation. In addition, she is the
founder of SoftImage and Immersence, her own art and technology research
company.

Marc Cavazza

Marc is best known for his research on Interactive Storytelling and
Conversational Characters. The Interactive Storytelling research he
supervises at Teesside is developing a character-based approach in which the
user influences the story mainly from a spectator's position. In the field
of human-computer dialogue, he has been co-ordinator of the Virtual
Interactive Presenter's project, developing a conversational interface for
Interactive Television and is a member of SIGDIAL, the special interest
group on human-computer dialogue of the Association for Computational
Linguistics.



SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
====================


1. ACADEMIC PAPERS

Papers are invited on any subject that explores areas of overlap (or
potential overlap) between semiotics and interactive digital media. Examples
of this include, but are not limited to, the following:

- The use of semiotics in artificial intelligence and expert systems.
- Software architectures and technologies using, based upon or inspired
by semiotic theories, systems or models.
- The use of semiotics in the creation or analysis of generative narrative
systems, interactive digital games, entertainment and artworks.
- The use of semiotics in the study and criticism of digital interactive
media.
- Narratology in games and new media.
- Semiotic-orientated HCI.
- Semiotics and Hypermedia.

Papers should demonstrate an understanding of - and engagement with the
principles of semiotics (understood here as the study of signs) and gain
something from this engagement.

Further details of the submission process (and templates for papers) are
available at:
http://www-scm.tees.ac.uk/users/p.c.fencott/cosign2003/

——————————————————
Submission date for Academic Papers: 28th March 2003
Acceptance will be notified on or around 12th May 2003
Camera-ready copy for the proceedings by 9th June 2003
——————————————————



2. ARTWORKS

In addition to academic and theoretical papers, presentations of artworks of
all forms and in all formats are invited. We are particularly interested in
digital art, net art and other technology-based or technology-oriented art
forms.

Artworks will be assessed on the basis of documentation of the work
presented in the form of an online website. The website should display the
following:

- A textual description of the proposed artwork and any illustrations
- A biography of the artist(s)/author(s)
- Contact details

Funding has been obtained to allow COSIGN 2003 to provide some degree of
financial support to artists accepted by the COSIGN 2003 artwork committee.
These funds are limited, however, and will be allocated at the discretion of
the COSIGN 2003 organising committee in consultation with the artists
concerned.

Further details of the submission process and requirements are available at:
http://www-scm.tees.ac.uk/users/p.c.fencott/cosign2003/

——————————————————-
Submission date for Artworks: 28th March 2003
Acceptance will be notified on or around 12th May 2003
Camera-ready copy for the proceedings by 9th June 2003
——————————————————-



3. POSTERS

There will be an opportunity for researchers to present new work and ideas
that are not yet ready for the full presentation. Short papers will be
presented in poster format, and will be included in both the hardcopy and
electronic proceedings.

Further details of the submission process and requirements are available at:
http://www-scm.tees.ac.uk/users/p.c.fencott/cosign2003/

——————————————————-
Submission date: 24th April 2003
Acceptance will be notified on or around 12th May 2003
Camera-ready copy for the proceedings by 9th June 2003
——————————————————-



4. TECHNICAL DEMONSTRATIONS

Demonstrations of relevant leading-edge work and work in progress are
invited. Submissions will be peer-reviewed to ensure quality. Demonstration
proposals must be submitted electronically.

Further details of the submission process and requirements are available at:
http://www-scm.tees.ac.uk/users/p.c.fencott/cosign2003/

————————————————————-
Submission date for Technical Demonstrations: 24th April 2003
Acceptance will be notified on or around 12th May 2003
Camera-ready copy for the proceedings by 9th June 2003
————————————————————-



SUBMISSION (GENERAL NOTES)
====================================

Authors of accepted papers will be required to prepare a written version of
their paper for inclusion in the printed and online proceedings. Acceptance
at the conference is dependent on authors providing this written version of
their paper by the required date and in the required format.

Acceptance is also dependent on at least one of the authors registering for
the conference by 13th of June 2003. As in previous years, COSIGN will
endeavour to support as much as possible the registration fees and/or
accommodation of those presenters who are not funded by an institution or
organisation.



ALTERNATIVE SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
====================================

Authors and artists who have difficulty in making their submission in the
appropriate form or in viewing the detailed submission procedure should
contact:

Frank Nack
CWI - INS2
Kruislaan 413
P.O. Box 94079,
NL-1090 GB Amsterdam
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +31 20 592 4223
Fax: +31 20 592 4312



ORGANISING COMMITTEE
====================
Andy Clarke - Kinonet (UK)
Clive Fencott - University of Teeside (UK)
Craig Lindley - Interactive Institute (Sweden)
Grethe Mitchell - University of East London and Kinonet (UK)
Frank Nack - CWI (Netherlands)