Final Day of Rhizome's Annual Community Campaign
Today is the final day of Rhizome's Community Campaign! We are incredibly close to reaching our $25,000 goal. If you have not made your contribution yet, we ask that you please do so now. It takes only a few moments to make a donation but it makes an impact that lasts an entire year.
Throughout our history, Rhizome has brought together a forward-thinking, international community of artists, writers, curators, technologists and new media enthusiasts. Together, we can continue to promote this emerging artistic field!
Donations are essential to the operation of our programs and artist initiatives here at Rhizome. With the support from our community, we are able to bring you more content on the blog, bigger and better programs, and new features on the website.
We have been overwhelmed with the generous support from the nearly 300 individuals who have contributed to the campaign. Please consider taking a moment to join the list of Rhizome supporters today.
Artist Profile: Clement Valla
Clement Valla and John Cayley's Hapax Phaenomena is featured this month on The Download.

Certificate of Authenticity, Hapax Phaenomena (2011)
In Hapax Phaenomena and other projects such as Google Earth Sites, you refer to your art objects as artifacts or curios. Do you see yourself as an observer documenting an endangered technological curiosity?
Yes. These things will all disappear, and probably soon, in the name of progress. These artifacts are atypical ephemera, and often accidental products created by various internet algorithms. There is very little direct human hand in these artifacts. Though the purpose in collecting them is not simply for their preservation. It's more about framing them, allowing them to be seen, and showing a kind of bizarre byproduct of these super-functioning and useful systems, such as Google.
When did you first notice the glitch in Google Earth? What inspired you to begin capturing these surreal moments?
It was accidental. I was Google-Earthing a location in China, and I noticed that a striking number of buildings looked like they were upside down. I could tell there were two competing visual inputs here - the 3d model, and the mapping of the satellite photography, and they didn't match up. The computer is doing exactly what it's supposed to do, but the depth cues of the aerials, the perspective, the shadows and lighting, were not aligning with depth cues of the 3d earth model. I figured that this was not a unique situation in Google Earth, and I started looking at obvious situations where the depth cues would be off—bridges, tall skyscrapers, canyons. Soon I noticed the photos being updated, and the aerial photographs would be 'flatter' (taken from less of an angle) or the shadows below bridges would be more muted. Google Earth is a constantly ...
Artist Profile: Sabrina Ratté
Sabrina Ratté's video, Activated Memory, is featured on The Download this month.

Still from Activated Memory (2011)
On your tumblr, you quote Phillip K. Dick's "How to Build a Universe That Doesn't Fall Apart Two Days Later," wherein he presents his thoughts on "reality" from his perspective of a science-fiction writer whose job is to create universes in his novels and stories. Does your video work represent the reality you see? Are you attempting to make the viewer see reality as you see it?
I believe that Philip K. Dick is a master at questioning reality as we see it. When I first read Ubik, I was fascinated by the way Philip K. Dick would call in to question the basic structure of reality and disturb the meaning that we give to our everyday life. Diving into his world can cause a huge life crisis! It made me realize that we need to take certain things for granted or have faith in a « reality » that we choose in order to go on. (While being aware at the same time that this is only one choice among an infinity of others.) Doubting that we live in 2011, or being unsure if we are dead or alive can be very dangerous - and yet these questions can lead to very interesting lands if well managed. Philip K. Dick is dangerous in that sense. Are we in someone’s mind ? Are we dead ? Are the objects around us really concrete or can they melt in another dimension? Will this elevator go back in time if I step in it? The fact that he writes these ideas into a science fiction context allowes him to go further into his reflexions and gives him the opportunity to build these incredibly complex and convincing ...
Community Campaign 2012: The Download features Ryder Ripps

In-process screenshot of Ryder Ripps's Facebook, courtsey of the artist
Last week, we kicked off our annual Community Campaign with the announcement of a new program for Rhizome members called The Download. Through The Download, Rhizome members are invited to get a first look at a new and significant artwork by one artist every month. Artworks will come in a variety of ubiquitous file formats such as .gifs, .html, .mov, and .jpegs. All works will be delivered as a .zip via The Download page. Once the artwork is downloaded, it is yours to collect, share with friends, and display on the screen of any suitable device. The Download is a premier opportunity to become a collector of great digital art!
For the first Download, we are highlighting a new work by conceptual artist Ryder Ripps (Internet Archaeology, dump.fm and OKFocus). Ryder Ripps's Facebook (2011) is a copy of his entire personal Facebook history including all of his photos, private messages, chats, and wall posts. The viewer is invited to explore all of Ripps's Facebook activity, exposing some of the most intimate and private information. As with previous works, this project confronts issues of privacy, Facebook, and fetishization of technology. Read more about Ripps's work on The Download page.
Next month, we will feature a new work by video artist Sabrina Ratté including music by Roger Tellier-Craig, aka Le Révélateur. Look out for more information about upcoming featured artists in the next few months.
The Download is supported by the Artist Fund, a pool of financial support generated by our members that is divided evenly among the participating artists. You can learn more about The Download and the Artist Fund on the FAQ page.
If you would like to be able to receive The Download first-hand and directly support artists, please contribute to Rhizome's Community Campaign and the Artists Fund today!
Intern Roundup part 2 of 3

For part two of our intern roundup, we would like to introduce you to another new member of the team: Ross Leonardy. Ross is studying Fashion Design at Parsons, and is filling the crucial role of general intern. Ross supports day to day operations at Rhizome headquarters, doing everything from conducting research to helping out with events to organizing to photo editing. Let's hear it for the general intern - Welcome, Ross!
Rhizome | Tumblr Internet Art Grant
United States of America
The grants will be determined by a jury of art and Tumblr experts: Massimiliano Gioni, Associate Director and Director of Exhibitions at the New Museum and Artistic Director of the 55th Venice Biennale; Laurie Anderson, noted experimental performance artist and musician; Jon Rafman, leading contemporary artist; Zoë Salditch, Rhizome's Program Director; and Topherchris, Tumblr Editorial Director.
Application Deadline: Wednesday May 15, 2013
Commissions Deadline Extended to May 15
You can access your proposal by going to your account page and clicking on 'Commissions Voting' (I know that's a odd label, we're working on fixing that..). From there you'll see 'Your Proposals' and when you click on it you'll see a link to edit.
Feel free to email me zoe [dot] salditch [at] rhizome if you have any other troubles!
Breaking the Ice
You and I have talked F2F about this kind of programming many times and you know I couldn't agree with you more. You make an excellent point about how community is built IRL and that's one of my goals as Program Director. I love the idea of more informal events, gatherings and the like, to compliment our lectures, panels and performances. Organizing informal and conversational events (both IRL and URL) around these programs could make Rhizome programming more robust and impactful.
I think it's safe to say that Michael and I are very excited to work together to tie programs and editorial so that they feed into one another more seamlessly.
<3
Zoë
Editor & Curator, Rhizome
United States of America
Deadline: Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Rhizome seeks an experienced Editor & Curator to create and communicate a distinctive and unique voice for Rhizome – one that is international in scope and engages with the history, values and direction of the organization as a leader in contemporary art and technology.
Rhizome is a 501c3 non-profit organization based within the iconic New Museum of Contemporary Art in SoHo, NYC. Founded in 1996, Rhizome's programs, many of which happen online, support artists working at the furthest reaches of technological experimentation as well as those responding to the broader aesthetic, social and political implications of new tools and media.
The role will significantly shape the artistic direction of the organization overall. The Editor & Curator will be primarily responsible for the editorial vision of Rhizome.org, assigning, editing and occasionally writing features for the site. Additionally, s/he will ensure the art and ideas featured on the site tie into all areas of Rhizome’s program, by working closely with the Rhizome staff, and by initiating and/or leading on select curatorial programs.
http://rhizome.org/
Responsibilities
- To work closely with the Executive Director to shape Rhizome’s overall artistic direction
- Assign, edit and occasionally write stories for the Rhizome.org site, across a variety of disciplines including art and technology
- Cultivate and manage a strong team of writers
- Develop and experiment with formats for Rhizome’s online publishing, while maintaining consistent voice and style guide
- Act as a strong and visible advocate for Rhizome through public speaking, online/social media discussion and other avenues
- Help engage with and cultivate a readership and community around Rhizome.org
- Initiate and lead on select curatorial and public programs; feed curatorial ideas into all Rhizome programs
- Proactively feed into strategic conversations about Rhizome’s site, programs and future
Requirements
- Thorough knowledge of contemporary art, technology, and online culture
- Senior experience in editing and/or curating, ideally with demonstrated aptitude in both
- An understanding of and interest in online publishing
- Writing experience that demonstrates a high capacity for critical thought and strong ideas
- Excellent national and international contacts in art and technology, as well as with writers
- Articulate and engaging communicator; confident public speaking skills and an excellent command of the written language
- Managerial and team working skills, and generosity, toward working effectively within an organizational structure
To apply, please send a resume, cover letter and two writing samples to editor@rhizome.org by Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Watch Rhizome's Nostalgic VHS History from 2001 -- and Donate for 2013!
It's possible there is some kind of documentation about Media Z Lounge in the Rhizome or New Museum archives. We'll keep our eyes peeled!