* off -icmc

[caleb~k <caleb.k@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

    i have been suggesting some probelems i have with off-icmc
for a few months and haven't had much feedback...

the general problem i have is the fashion factor...the idea that a 
conference of computer music (which lets face it isn't very 
popular...the recent conference in australia had 50(ish) attendees 
ALL male...etc etc) i'm sure we know at least some of the arguments 
against computer music as we witness its slow demise.(university 
studios are packing up faster than you can crash your laptop)..not at 
all aided by the likes of the music of interest  on this list.

i am sure events such as off-icmc is there to inject some life back 
into computer music...
       how can they do it...they are after all serious composers.

from the start off-icmc was put to the back...the web site section 
for it was a shocker...a paragraph which made no sense was repeated 
twice...no specific times or dates, or performers etc etc

then there was the time and venue of the event...as said off it 
was...can't imagine sitting through a day of talks, then two 
'serious' performances...then going to a club at 10.30...before 
getting up to be at the conference by 9am.....and all this to hear 
digital music by outsiders...

i also wonder about curatorial policy...the size of the festival and 
the extreme nature of it...

      questions waiting to be answered include...

     - did the bearded academic computer music types go?
     - did they *really* listen? (with or without plugs)
     - did it make them think and not just about timbral possibilities etc etc?
     - was it there for fashion? who gains from it?
         (except the obvious that it was a great line up etc etc)
     - is it a last ditch attempt to put some life back into 
computermusic...draw in some of the digital
        musicians...open some doors as surely the direction of 
innovation is now firmly coming from digital
        music and not the academy?

anyone??

caleb.k