[NetBehaviour] To Turbulence

[furtherfield]

Hi Helen and Jo,

We’re writing this while on holiday with a dodgy Internet connection, and
too much to do which has nothing to do with being on holiday.

However, on hearing that Turbulence is winding down, we had to respond and
rightly, announce with others how important and brilliant your work has
been over the last 20 years. And, because we share similar values alongside
a dynamic history regarding net art, and other art projects engaged in
using digital networks and technology.

Turbulence is great for so many reasons:

-    You have built through the years a fantastic database and resource of
newly commissioned work.

-    You didn’t conform to the (tediously easy) neoliberal defaults and its
trappings.

-    You supported artists not based on their privilege and status, but
focused on the needs of the art itself, and the context of the practice.

-    You helped artists new to various technologies to create & experiment
with new projects, on their own terms.

-    You expressed a genuine interest in the artists and their work, and
the larger community. Meaning the artists were not just data, or fodder.

-    You made an effort to understand the artworks and the contexts behind
them.

-    You allowed digital art movements to develop in their own ways and
actively supported them. Not because it was trendy, but because it was
excellent and interesting in its own right. That takes guts.

-    You’ve been open to a wider international community beyond limitations
of race, gender, religion, and especially the ogres of nationalism and
centralization.

Your decision to end Turbulence of course represents something very
significant to many people allover the world.

To us, this news gives rise to an extra feeling of unhappiness as a
long-time ally and friend leaves us to fend alone. It has been a real
pleasure having you out there. Turbulence was and still is, an org that has
a heart and soul. You offered us integrity and generosity.

And, even though it is an end of an era as many are saying, it is the start
of others (hopefully) giving you something back, by including Turbulence in
their histories and much much more...

Wishing you well.

Marc and Ruth from Furtherfield.
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