Nederlands:VIDEONALE (Q181005)

Videonale was in 1984 launched in Bonn as an international festival and competition for art videos and since then has constantly expanded and altered. Apart from the competition the Videonale now presents itself with a large exhibition for installations and panel discussions on current topics in media art. Since Videonale is organised in the Kunstmuseum Bonn, the exhibition is the central part of the festival, with additional screenings, lectures and debate, and events. Videonale organises events during the year and in collaboration with other spaces and cities: a series of lectures on the history of media art entitled "Elektronenströme" has been run since 1995, which scrutinizes aspects of art history and media theory. Together with the Bonner Kunstverein and the Bonner Kinemathek (cinema in the Brotfabrik) the Videonale has organized events and brought its programmes to other museums in various cities, as for example to the Museum Ludwig in Cologne in 2003.

The festival has a competition and many artists apply. Last year there were 600 entries. Apart of the competition, Videonale organises now also a curated exhibition which is possible in the Museum. Next year the exhibition will last a month, from March to April. They want to create a more open approach than the black box feeling, more putting them on the wall like paintings. Close to the speakers, without needing headphones. Last year there was also a symposium on video art. And series of lectures, where artists are invited, specialists, scientists...Funding: basically the city of Bonn, the whole festival is sponsored by institutions and foundations. They want to focus also on archive: more then ten years of festival, but up to now there is no functioning archive, only boxes.

Georg Elben is artistic director of the Videonale.