AIM V: SYZYGY (the human remix)

SYZYGY (the human remix) marks Art In Motion’s fifth anniversary. Five years in, AIM has changed and matured greatly, yet remained true to its main goal of providing development and exhibition opportunities to the time-based media community – bringing together innovative projects from diverse disciplines and placing them within a specific theoretical frame. Public response to AIM has grown exponentially over the last five years as well. The AIM V: SYZYGY call for entries received an overwhelming response of over 700 excellent entries from 39 countries around the world, impressive growth from AIM I’s receipt of just over 100 submissions from 8 countries.

The one-day showcase that marked the first AIM festival has grown into a robust and esteemed program with events held throughout the year – AIM V kicked off with screenings in Cusco, Peru and the exciting AIM@WDCH show, the visual arts component of the Walt Disney Concert Hall’s grand opening gala. Our fifth festival continues into 2004 with a ten-week exhibition at the Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA as well as screenings on the video billboards on West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip and satellite lectures and events throughout the Los Angeles area, Hong Kong, and Peru. To date, AIM has hosted 32 exhibitions, screenings, lectures, symposia, and related events of the highest caliber in locations throughout the United States, as well as in Southeast Asia and South America.

Presented by the USC School of Fine Arts in partnership with the Armory Center for the Arts, the AIM V: SYZYGY (the human remix) exhibition takes place March 7 – June 6, 2004, and includes both invitational and open-entry components in what may well be AIM’s strongest exhibition to date. The works included in this year’s show are powerful thought-provoking, and include the North American debut of Lev Manovich’s Mission to Earth, Sealed an installation by Bruce Yonemoto developed specifically for AIM V, as well as Lew Baldwin’s latest video installation, Duplex, and surprises such as Bryan Jackson’s giant catfish in Whippoorwill.

Art In Motion represents the hard work, vision and dedication of a remarkably talented and diverse group of individuals; and I want to express my deepest gratitude to all those who have contributed so much to AIM V’s success. AIM owes a great deal to the commitment and vision of Ruth Weisberg, Dean of the USC School of Fine Arts, who saw the festival’s potential from the beginning and has done all she can to see it flourish – for that, and for her unflagging support and enthusiasm, I thank her. AIM V would not be possible without the hard work and commitment of its coordination staff: Candace Fujishige, outgoing AIM Coordinator, who developed and implemented systems to make the day-to-day workings of the festival run smoothly; Seanne Peddicord, incoming AIM Coordinator, who has approached the overwhelming task of festival coordination with incredible enthusiasm and skill; Malissa Stanley, AIM Logistical Coordinator, who has dedicated countless hours to tracking down equipment and technical requirements for this exhibition; and the dedicated AIM interns, who together, shoulder a great deal of responsibility within AIM. Thanks must also go to Janice Ledgerwood, AIM Education Coordinator, for her continued commitment to the festival, as well pitching in to help with media transfer emergencies.

I most warmly thank Jay Belloli, Director of Gallery Programs, Armory Center for the Arts; Elise Barclay, Exhibitions Coordinator, Armory Center for the Arts; and Mike Hernandez, Preparator, Armory Center for the Arts, who have given so freely of their time, skill, and expertise, along with the other staff members at the Armory. AIM V would not be the success it is without the effort and commitment of the staff and faculty of the USC School of Fine Arts, who have all been extremely supportive of the festival. I would also like to thank Janet Owen, both for her determination in co-founding the festival as well as for sitting on the AIM V screening committee and working with me on the AIM V festival statement. Thanks must also go out to Bernay Kurland Grayson, Joe Shooshani, and our other generous donors, sponsors, and all of our collaborators, including Eric Cruz at Weiden + Kennedy, Alison Maxwell with the City of West Hollywood, and Amy Ellingrod and Beth Taylor-Heart of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.

AIM V owes special thanks to Jose Caballer of THE_GROOP and Carlos Battilana of Amauta Technologies, two people whose support, long hours, and commitment to the festival go far, far beyond the call of duty. From enabling us to hold the entire AIM V submission and selection process online to finding sponsorship and collaboration opportunities for the festival, Carlos and Jose have been key to our success this year, and I am deeply grateful to them, both personally and professionally.

Most especially, I wish to express warmest thanks to all of our participants and audience members, whose interest and support are so crucial to AIM’s success.