The Canadian Film Centre’s Habitat New Media Lab presents: The 2005 INTERACTIVE Prototype Exhibition

The Canadian Film Centre’s Habitat New Media Lab is set to unveil the next generation of revolutionary prototypes, at this year’s annual launch and exhibition; taking place at the Gladstone Hotel from July 22 to July 24. Created by the graduating residents of the TELUS Interactive Art and Entertainment Programme (IAEP), the 2005 Interactive Prototype Exhibition is a free exhibit that offers the public a first look at the new entertainment concepts of tomorrow.

Harnessing a wide range of creative skills and knowledge, the TELUS IAEP is Canada’s first post-graduate program for new media training and production, based on the philosophy that compelling content is created through a collaborative process. This team-based approach encourages residents from a variety of backgrounds, including: design, filmmaking, production, writing, visual art, music, and programming.

Pushing the evolution of art and entertainment, this year’s graduates have re-invented the way we see, use and view technology, channeling their energies on creating prototypes that foster social interaction, narrative theory and the creative aspects of new media.

Bold and borderless, several prototypes developed though the TELUS IAEP have gone on to receive further external development funding, following the completion of the programme. Past graduate successes of note include: 2002’s [murmur] (www.murmurtoronto.ca ), 2001’s PAX WARRIOR (www.paxwarrior.com), 2000’s SEED (www.seedcollective.ca), 1999’s TRAPEZE MEDIA (www.trapeze.com) and 1997’s SMILEY GUY STUDIOS - Odd Job Jack (www.smileyguy.com).

The 2005 Interactive Prototype Exhibit includes Painting the Myth, a rich new media installation that demonstrates unified narrative layering, harmonized with the action of artistic painting, that together, provide a compelling immersive experiential encounter. Imagine if you could paint one of Tom Thomson's most famous works, while brushing the shroud of history from his story? Painting the Myth is a new system for interactive biography that allows you to illustrate the life and times of artists, their work, their histories and their stories by moving through increasingly rich and detailed layers of their best known works. Created by residents: James Chaarani, Gordon Culley, Trevor Haldenby and Tony Saad.

Right or Left Unsaid is an interactive installation which engages participants in a collaborative activity designed to draw awareness to one’s relationship with oneself and to other people. Through wordplay and physical gesture, the piece creates the conditions to consider and contemplate the physical and metaphysical states of close/far and alone/not alone. Participants interact with each other by moving their hands over the surface of hexagonal table. As this happens, lines of moving words appear between hands, linking them together. The words explore different relationships and states of being alone or within a group. Created by residents: Owen Milburn, Sohei Oguro, Katie Raynes-Goldie Eugene Ripper.

Interference is an interactive multimedia narrative game. The look of Interference is an innovative synthesis of live action, 2D and 3D elements. The story emerges from the player’s ability to travel back in time to make changes that will save his true love from death at the hands of unscrupulous organ traffickers. Created by residents: Mike Dobson and Mario Marquez Lartigue.

My Doki-Doki is a wireless device that enables you to see and feel your heartbeat, and share the experience with another person. Our heartbeat is a direct line to our emotional and physical state. Imagine you could share it with others? Who would you choose to share it with? A lover? A friend? A stranger? By making the internal external, My Doki-Doki allows you to literally wear your heart on your sleeve. Created by residents: James Milward, Jonathan Resnick and Trevor Shaikin.

The Lunatics is an animated fairytale exploring the tug of war between consumption and creation. People wear masks and are transported into the story where they see, hear and physically engage with the tale's themes. This new form of participatory theatre blends the role of audience and participant, taking you on a journey from consumption to creation. Created by residents: Louise Charlebois, Kirstin Hargie and Warren Brown

EVENT DETAILS:

Thursday July 21 – 6 p.m. onwards – VIP Launch and Reception for Media and Industry – INVITE ONLY
Friday July 22 and Saturday July 23 – 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Free Public Exhibit
Friday July 22 – 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Info Soirée for prospective residents
Sunday July 24 – 11a.m. – 6 p.m. – Free Public Exhibit

The Gladstone Hotel is located at 1214 Queen Street West

About the Habitat New Media Lab and the Canadian Film Centre

The Canadian Film Centre’s Habitat New Media Lab was created in 1997. Habitat provides a unique training and production think-tank environment for tomorrow’s new media content developers. Based on a cycle of training, production and research, Habitat is now an internationally acclaimed and award-winning facility, cultivating new talent and projects for the interactive media industry.

Founded in 1988, the Canadian Film Centre, located in Toronto, is Canada’s foremost film, television and new media institution dedicated to advancing Canadian creative values, talent and content worldwide through training, production, promotion and investment.

For more information please contact:Susan Holland, Communications Specialist,416-445-1446 ext. 304, sholland@cdnfilmcentre.com

Website: http://www.cdnfilmcentre.com