Multimedia showcase: "Microwave International Media Art Festival 2003" is an annual event that fuses art and technology.

"Microwave International Media Art Festival 2003", an annual event that integrates media art and technology, is being held at various venues from now until November 30.

The festival's exhibitions, video screenings, workshops and seminars are an opportunity for overseas and local media artists and enthusiasts to share their experiences and learn from each other.

This year's theme is "FOCI", intended to showcase the festival's diversity and the basic foundation of new media art: modularity and variability.

The "Installation Exhibition", being held at the Exhibition Hall (Low Block) of the City Hall from now until November 15, showcases works of four well-known artists under the theme of "Living Space" and the difference between "old and new media".

Vegetables and sound, alphabets and machines, art and technology, maths and software...creative works on the power and various aspects of the Internet and art are showcased in the "Kon-structure" exhibition curated by Francis Lam, held at the Videotage from now until November 21.

Workshops key feature of festival

Sound artist Mark Fell, who is also active in performance and installation and whose recent works have explored modes of interaction with computer systems in a multi-user context, is the subject of this year's "Artist-in-Residence" Exhibition. The exhibition will be held from November 17 to 30 at the Exhibition Hall of the Film Archive.

Fell will hold a workshop from November 17 to 19 to introduce participants to sound language programmes through projects and experiments. The workshop will be conducted in English and the course fee is $200.

Co-presented with sd gallery, School of Design of the Polytechnic University, talented design students will display their creative works on digital space, web, icon and typography in the "HIGHBAND" exhibition from now until November 21, at the university. A student forum will also be held on November 21. Admission to all exhibitions and seminars is free.

50 international works to be screened

Not to be missed is the "International Video Screenings" from November 7 to 9 at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum. Over 50 new, exciting and creative works will be featured in the programmes: "Selection of VideoBrasil", "Mirroring Desires", "AudioVision", "Eyes of the beholder" and "Interzone".

Tickets are $30 per screening and are available at URBTIX outlets. Reservations can be made by phone at 2734 9009.

Another highlight is the closing night of the Festival, "Bits & Beat Midnight Party", at the Fringe Club on November 29. Three winners of the video and audio jockeys open recruitment held in September and October will also perform their winning works.