Sunday, May 9
Congratulations to Thomas Köner for winning first prize in the Prix Ars Electronica competition for 2004. His work, Banlieue du Vide, "deals with surveillance and emptiness. During the winter of 2003-4, Thomas Köner collected approximately 3,000 images recorded by surveillance cameras and made freely available in the Internet. All of these images show empty, snow-covered streets by night. Köner then added an accompanying soundtrack of colorless ambient noise and traffic sounds that represent memory. The only noticeable movement in these images framed within a setting of monumental background sound effects is that of the changing structures of the snow on the streets." Sounds interesting! Other winners included AGF, Janek Schaefer/audiOh! Room, Leafcutter John, and Fennesz. This is a big-time competition, so even getting honorable mention is considered quite a tribute. So well done to all!
