Fishbon Project Log

About FISHBON

Lust 2005

FISHBON Experiences

Fishbon crafts non-profit community-based art events to support artists in their creative processes.  Events  provide a framework for exploration of concepts and physical development of ideas in a shared (collaborative) working environment.  In this manner, the event becomes an “incubator” for process experience and thus a special and important structure for art development and arts education.

Fishbon encourages collaboration between artists, engineers, writers, designers, performers and participants to create unique, real-time interactive experiences that speak to contemporary audiences.

Immersive Environments To contain and enhance the effects of the collaborative experience, performance environments are self-contained. Once entered, the resulting mood/sensory “world” is continuous. There is no lapse in the “experience bubble” until the event is either finished or the participant leaves it.

Interactivity Since Fishbon experience elements are designed to be dynamic, interfaces are provided that allow participants to make changes on-the-fly. This interaction may involve volume, color, shapes, and plots. The participant is encouraged to use the tools provided to create their own experience.

Narrative Structures Most projects have a storyline with characters, locations and events. As a participant, you’re immersed in a world that’s active. Things happen and you can affect outcomes with the choices you make.

Collaborative Fishbon projects rely on the genius of the group, not the individual. The group is made up of individuals, but it’s the interplay that’s most important to us. To create rich experiences, an extensive skillset is required. The collective provides access to a much wider range of capabilities than any individual is likely to possess.

Contemporary Themes Fishbon is interested in culture and movement. Projects seek to understand and address themes that affect participants in real time.

 

 

How FISHBON works

All Fishbon projects are supported by nine special interest cells:

• Electronic Media Arts
  The Electronic Media Arts Cell is interested in technologies that are broadly applicable to interactive media (interface, filters, music and sound) 

• Environment
  The Enviroment Cell is interested in intereactive, immersive spaces, transformation and environmental adventures. 

• Fashion
  The Fashion cell is interested in design, construction and showcasing of contemporary fashion (particularly personalized eventwear) 

• Fire Arts
  The Fire Arts Cell is interested in fire and its application in art (sculpture, performance and immersive experience) 

• Image
  The Image Cell is interested in photographic exploration of the image (video, still) 

• Lighting and Projection
  The Lighting and Projection Cell is interested in the use of light in creating interactive, immersive environments. 

• Music
  The Music Cell is interested in all forms of electronic and acoustic music, especially that produced by unique new instruments snd electronic dance tracks 

• Performance
  The Performance Cell is interested in immersive event performance (dance, spoken word, puppetry, circus arts) 

• Virtual Worlds
  The Virtual Worlds Cell is interested in immersive, interactive virtual environments and their relationship to real life worlds 

Each cell has a director who coordinates cell activities, interfaces with Fishbon, and is responsible for communicating with members and the larger community (through email, websites and blogs). Cells are allocated time and space at the Pescadrome and use of equipment and resources to support their activities. From time to time cell projects will be showcased in larger scale events. The directors are carefully chosen. They are affiliates of Fishbon and effectively act as intermediate management and, more importantly, provide significant creative impetus and energy. The affiliates are approached, after we have carefully identified a range of candidates and assembled a well-considered structural plan which deals with the numerous practical and philosophical concerns. Chosen affiliates will have resources and opportunities provided to them in exchange for adopting certain responsibilities, such as nurturing the cell, attending meetings, locking up, etc.. Cells undertake projects that interest members and the larger Fishbon community. When they have reached a certain level of viability, projects are shared in one or more of the following formats.

 

Fishbon Event Lab (30-40 participants)

The Fishbon Event Lab is a weekly exhibition of “in-progress” projects held at the Pescadrome. It may include demonstrations from one or more Fishbon cells or other pieces drawn from the larger community. The Event Lab is a salon-like social evening open to the public. It is also the primary recruiting tool for cells.

Project Shows (75 participants)

Project Shows are public experiences that showcase the work of a specific Fishbon cell. Most are held at the Pescadrome, although from time to time they may also be presented at outside venues like the UCSB Museum of Art, Machine Project, CAF and similar locations. Each cell may have one or more project shows per year and they may span 3-4 days and nights. In addition to project experiences, Project shows have music, dancing, and party atmosphere. Project shows may also include the work of multiple cells (for example, the performance cell may support the Electronic Media Arts Project show and vice versa).

Themed Events (250-300 participants)

Themed Fishbon events are presented periodically at outside venues like Muddy Waters and Reds Café. These full scale shows are aimed at sharing the broad range of Fishbon projects with the general public. These shows may also be toured to other cities initially within the region and, if successful more broadly.

Commissioned Shows (location dependent)

Custom shows may be commissioned from time to time and include the work of Fishbon cells.

for information about the Fishbon Event Lab: http://www.fishboneventlab.blogspot.com/

for information about Fishbon commercial projects: http://www.fishbon.com/

Other information contact: clay@fishbon.com or 805.453.5246

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