ecopolis

MMIF 2009 is the first edition of an annual global film festival in cyberspace and simultaneously in Amsterdam (NL). In Amsterdam MMIF 2009 will happen at the very last day of the ‘Dadamachinima’ media-art exhibition by PLANETART about avant-garde videogame modification, started 18 December 2008.

MMIF 2009 is a celebration of machinima: a new cinematic art form, created with 3D virtual worlds and online computergames. All the actors (avatars) are individually operated real-time by real people while movie scenes are directed and recorded. On 3D web platforms like Second Life, directors can even build complete movie sets for relatively low costs. MMIF 2009 aims to bring machinima to a wider audience, online
and offline.

Over forty short machinima films are screened at MMIF 2009, from all over the world. Machinima created wih all 3D web platforms and online games are welcome.

At the MaMachinima Theatre in Second Life, the artists and directors from many countries will be present in real time to talk about their creations. And to meet other machinimatographers and an international audience online.

The audience in Amsterdam can view the machinima films live via Second Life on a big screen at the auditorium of the PLANETART artspace in the former Volkskrantbuilding, .
Free entrance. Free wireless internet and electricity provided for audience laptops.

Shortly after the release of the album With Teeth, Trent Reznor provided the multi-track audio files for two of the songs from that album, inviting his fans to remix and distribute at will. This music video takes an opportunity to perform not only an original audio remix of the song, but also an ideological remix of the ideas present in the song.

Nine Inch Nails: Only, realized by Zarathustra Studios, particularly by Overman, is a departure from their previous works; the subject matter is dark, and may offend some viewers sensitive to religious themes. The song contains some strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.

The STRP Festival is one of the largest art & technology festivals in Europe, presenting a four-day multidisciplinary programme with more than 120 artworks, performances, and artists. The composition of the programme is based on the principle that STRP should be a low-threshold festival, geared to a large audience. The programme
centres on robotics, music, visuals, and interactive art, and comprises an exhibition, a visuals programme, a music programme, and a programme containing performances, workshops, and lectures.

Leading American media artist Ken Rinaldo, will premiere Our Daily Dread: the mechanization of our food production, which is expressed through an installation of robot arms cow’s ears, video images, and abattoir sounds. The Interactive Balloon Ballet by Christopher Bauder (GER) is an enormous work consists of a grid of balloons that, illuminated from the inside, float through space like atoms.

Robert Henke, better known as Monolake, composed the sound environment for this work. During a special performance, the balloons drift around in a graceful choreography. Italian Sonia Cillari presents an interactive theatrical work at the STRP festival. In her interactive performance ‘If you are close to me’, a dancer is standing on a floor full of sensors. By approaching her, the visitor influences an electromagnetic field around her that reveals itself in fabulous visuals and audio compositions. Cillari was awarded an Honourable Mention for this work during the prestigious Ars Electronica Festival in 2007. Also Otolab (IT) will performe a live audiovisual performance: Circo ipnotico

Another prize-winning work is Camera Lucida by Evelina Domnitch and Dimitri Gelfand (RUS/USA). In their ‘sonochemical observatory’, they lend sound an amazing visual dimension.
The visuals programme comprises video art/video clips, live cinema, animation, and documentaries. The live cinema performances are a once in a lifetime experience in which image and sound are in perfect harmony with one another, almost creating a new dimension. Feed by the Austrian Kurt Hentschläger, is a mind-blowing experience in which all senses seem to crash. Starting at a calm pace, the performance soon enough literally builds up steam, immersing the audience in a dark space full of smoke, stroboscopes, projections of androgynous creatures and ear-deafening sound. Feed was developed for ‘Theatre Biennial Venice 2005’.

During the Animation Festival on Sunday, George Pal (1908), who used to live in Eindhoven, and the animation software Blender take centre stage. Pal developed the stop motion animation technique that earned him worldwide acclaim as the founding father of contemporary animation. Pal was awarded two Oscars and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Blender is free open source software for 3D animation, creating animation films that quality-wise equals those of the large Hollywood studios. Elephants Dream, a film entirely made with Blender, premiered in 2006; it was worldwide the first animation film ever made with open source software, and in HD quality to boot.

The STRP Festival opens on 22 November with a concert by one of the world’s most celebrated electronic bands: The Chemical Brothers. The music programmes of Friday and Saturday start at 20.00 and continue until six o’clock in the morning.

The extensive music programme presents alongside big names also superb high-tech experiments in the field of electronic music. The performance by 5MM (DJ Akufen and VJ Coutu-Dumont), is a true audiovisual gem of deep soundscapes and alienating projections. A world apart from the French Aufgang, which consists of two grand pianos and electronics: Jeff Mills meets Keith Jarrett!

The full programme and all information can be found on www.strp.nl

The Super Mario Nintendo game console is one of the defining experiences of video games. Mario (マリオ) is a video game character created by Japanese game designer Shigeru Miyamoto and the official mascot of Nintendo. He has appeared in over 100 video games since his creation, more than any other character.

The ultimate Nintendo hero is taking the ultimate step. Memorable Super Mario nowdays can walk just about anywhere. When he lands on a sphere, he can walk all over it, going sideways and upside down in the space. Sometimes you’ll simply jump in one area and end up gravitating toward the ceiling or walls or even another nearby planetoid without even realizing it.

Often Mario will need to track down launch stars: when you shake the Wii Remote while standing near or inside one, will send you flying to a whole new, unexpected area. There are even sections where you’ll be floating through space, using specialized pull stars to hop from area to area, while floating through the spatial void. Audio is also excellent, thanks to the soundtrack, made up of classic Mario tunes.

Another innovation involving the pointer is the new Costar Mode. In Costar Mode, a second player can manipulate the environment, helping the player who is controlling Mario by holding enemies in place and shooting Star Bits. The Costar can also help Mario perform special high jumps in coordination with the playing partner. Spaced out!

Every galaxy you explore is an absolute joy to experience. The level designs here are top flight in every regard, with traps and puzzles for Mario to float from land mass to land mass on a giant spinning flower. To quote the Nintendo game: You got a Grand Star.

Super Mario Galaxy
Publisher Nintendo
Release Date 16.11.2007