Founded in 1999, Deadtech is an art and technology center in Chicago, IL USA and has been host to technology-enabled art and artists from across the globe. As of 2006, founder Rob Ray is joined by Chicago artists Alexander Stewart and Taylor Hokanson to help make Deadtech a lot more kick ass - and it is.
2008 and beyond
A few of Deadtech’s goals for 2008 (and beyond) is to be more responsive to the current needs of local and national/international tech-centric artists. A lot has gone down in the art world since 1998 when the first slabs of drywall got put up in the Deadtech space. Contemporary art museums and galleries are catching on – sort of. So, as they continue catch up to what interactive artists needs were in 1998, Deadtech seeks to raise the bar on them (and itself) again.
CURRENT/PAST PROJECTS.
Chicago Dorkbot - Since 2003, Deadtech has been host to the Chicago Dorkbot. Find out more at dorkbot.deadtech.net.
chicago_pd - Deadtech is also host to the Chicago_pd meetings. Chicago_pd, started by interactive artist Justin C. Rounds in 2001, continues today as a bi-monthly forum and physical meeting point where artists and engineers can get together, show off some code, have a beer and learn a thing or two. It’s also a great place for those interested in learning about pd can come get advice and installation assistance from people who live and breathe it without an obligatory tongue-lashing.
Circumvention Device - Circumvention Device is a compilation of audio works devised using the de_CSS source code. The intent of the project was to exemplify that source code, is a simple string of characters that by itself is a simple form of speech. And while this speech may be in a language most judges, lawyers, and non-programmers cannot understand, that doesn’t preclude it’s protection by the First Amendment as such. The criminalization of this source code (see History of de_CSS) The tactic of Circumvention Device was to present the source code within the context of sound art. By presenting listen-able examples of novel and creative uses of source code, it might become easier to understand that source code is speech, and sometimes art, and should be protected as such.