Those concerned about the future of Irish digital art should check out the Darklight Digital Festival in Dublin tomorrow.
Key issues will be discussed by some of the world's experts on Internet law, digital technology and the arts online.
Founded three years ago to promote digital arts including film, animation, music, projection and imaging, this year's Darklight Digital Festival hinges on Darklight Digital Perspectives- a day-long conference on "Ownership and distribution of creative content on the Internet".
Five experts in digital technology and creativity have been brought together to discuss the core issues facing Ireland's artistic community in the turbulent world of digital development.
The speakers include US expert on copyright and Internet legislation Prof Larry Lessig from Stanford Law School; the man behind the Freenet Project, Ian Clarke - originally from Meath; Joshua Davis - who is considered "the best web designer in the world"; Northern Ireland's Paul Largan whose online film and production company, Bandigital.com, promotes Irish artists worldwide; and the US's John Perry Barlow co-founder of The Electronic Frontier Foundation ( www.eff.org).
"The response to the conference has been overwhelming, which is great, as it's important for the creative community in Ireland become aware of changes taking place, both positive and negative in the digital arena, and also learn of the opportunities the Internet presents if we think a little differently about it", said Nicky Gogan, founding director of Sink Digital Media ( www.sink.ie) which runs the Darklight festival.
Central to the conference are the transformations in the Internet environment, which less than 12 months ago was being hailed as a revolutionary in distribution, allowing artists, musicians and filmmakers to bypass Hollywood, media corporations and record labels.
Now expectations are more restrained, tamed by the introduction of new copyright legislation, the debunking of many dot.com distribution companies and the international slowdown in the technological expansion.
The speakers will examine how the changes affect artists and consumers, and if the new legal framework serves to protect the creative community and its audience or the interests of the major entertainment corporations, said Gogan.
Organised in partnership with the Irish Film Board's Digital Daysand the support of the Irish Arts Council, the conference will be held in the Irish Film Centre (IFC) in Dublin and will be streamed live with a discussion forum from 10.45 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow.
Comments will also be posted on the forum at the end of the day during the conference's Q&A. The webcam can be accessed on Explore Ireland at ( Webcam) and on the Darklight website ( www.darklight-filmfestival.com).
The festival will be held in the IFC, Temple Bar, Dublin, tomorrow. For full information on the programme and biographies of the conference speakers see www.darklight-filmfestival.com.