Connect to Art!
November 02, 2004
International concept launch presents works from Louise Bourgeois, Nam June Paik, David Salle and William Wegman
Connect to Art brings art to mobile phones - and mobile phones to art distribution. It is Nokia's answer to artists' need to use mobile devices as an innovative medium for artistic expression as well as a channel to reach new and existing audiences. It allows people to download genuine pieces of art to their mobile phones.
The Connect to Art international concept launch presents art from four internationally recognized artists: Louise Bourgeois, Nam June Paik, David Salle and William Wegman. Each has created a unique series of audiovisual works of art for Nokia devices.
"It was very interesting to see the artists tailor their work for the mobile devices. They independently presented works of almost identical duration, 15-20 seconds, and they all included specifically made sounds as a key element of the artwork," said Julie Sylvester, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg and Connect to Art exhibition curator, at the exhibition's opening ceremony in Monaco on November 2.
According to Sylvester, the artists were attracted to the project because they see the mobile device as an intimate and at the same time popular environment. "It has been wonderful to work with William Wegman and Nam June Paik, two great pioneers of video art, and to have their immediate and direct response to the new medium. David Salle rushed at the idea from a painter's viewpoint. And, of course, it is very interesting to have Louise Bourgeois at the age of 92 thinking about mobile phones."
Connect to Art is a cross-art project and the scope is only limited by the vision of the artist. It can expand to diverse forms of art including music, poetry, photographs, literature, and architecture - combining all forms of art in a new way. The concept will be developed further in cooperation with Nokia and artists from different parts of the world, as well as with museums, galleries and various other art institutions.
"Art is about communication between the artist, the viewer and their interpretations of the world - overall this means connecting people. Importantly, it asks questions, inspires imagination and stretches boundaries - which is what Nokia wants to support with the Connect to Art concept," says Nokia Design Director Eero Miettinen.
The artwork is exclusive to the Connect to Art mobile site at www.nokia.com/art/mobile, and art lovers can access and download their favorite artworks free of charge to Nokia 7710, 7610, 6670, 6630, 6620, 6600 and 6260 mobile devices. To highlight the value of the artwork, the number of downloads for each piece will be limited.
The initial Connect to Art concept launch took place in Finland in September. Artwork from the Finnish artists Stefan Lindfors, Osmo Rauhala, Kati Åberg and Juha Hemanus together with composer Leif Segerstam will be presented in Monaco in connection with the international launch.
Media Inquiries:
Nokia, Communications
Tel. +358 7180 34900
Email press.office@nokia.com, art@nokia.com,
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