The Sundance Institute has announced its New Frontier participants, defined as “a social and creative space designed to enrich the festival environment and expand cinema culture by showcasing media installation, multimedia performances, transmedia experiences and panel discussions that explore the convergence of art, technology and storytelling.” The program is now in its sixth year but has moved locations to The Yard (1251 Kearns Blvd.) in Park City, Utah.
Founder and President of the Sundance Institute, Robert Redford explains, “In many ways, New Frontier represents the next generation of artistic expression. I am fascinated by its ability to both keep pace with and drive innovations in technology. Our hope is that its exploration of the critical issues of our time inspires people to consider what storytelling might look and feel like decades from now, and that they continue that line of thinking well beyond their time at the festival.”
This year’s showcase, entitled Future Normal, was further described by New Frontier’s curator, Shari Frilot.
“As we integrate electronic media deeper into our lives, we become part of a bioelectric architecture where cinematic stories are exchanged and collectively produced through interactive participation," she said. "The technologically inspired works by 2012 New Frontier artists, filmmakers, journalists, game designers and media scientists expand screen culture and nourish the cornerstones of our humanity – our vulnerability, our social nature, and our creativity.” New Frontier is divided into two sections: Installations and Performances.
Installation contributors for this year are: Jeremy and Leanne Allison of Canada with their work entitled "Bear 71"; Ho Tzu Nyen of Singapore with his work entitled "The Cloud of Unknowing"; Marco Brambilla of the U.S. with his work entitled "Evolution (Megaplex)"; Nonny de la Pena of the U.S. with her work called "Hunger in Los Angeles"; Eva and Franco Mattes (U.S. and Italy) with their piece entitled "My Generation"; Hank Willis Thomas and Chris Johnson in collaboration with Bayete Ross Smith and Kamal Sinclair of the U.S. with their work called "Question Bridge: Black Males," which was also supported by the New Frontier Lab that runs in conjunction with the program ; Mollenindustria (U.S.) with "Radical Games Against the Tyranny of Entertainment," and Brent Green (U.S.) with his work "To Many Men Strange Fates Are Given." These installations are described as Multiplayer Online Game, Multimedia Installation, 3D Media Installation, Immersive Game Environment, Media Sculpture, Media Sculpture/Online Social Network/Geoloctive Hotspots, Video Game and Media Sculpture respectively.
Performers this year are: Paul Abacus, Early Morning Opera and Lars Jan (U.S.) with "Abacus" and Gingger Shankar, Mridu Chandra and The Shanghai Restoration Project (U.S.) with "Himalaya Song." These performances are described as Multimedia Performance and Multimedia Musical Performance respectively.
