The Book of Imaginary Media
Excavating the dream of the ultimate communication medium
Author: Eric Kluitenberg
In 2004 De Balie organised the mini-festival “<i>An Archaeology of Imaginary Media</i>”
about the dreams, visions and imaginations of the ultimate
communication medium with a selection of world-renown media scientists,
media archaeologists, writers, artists and filmmakers. The Book and the
DVD of Imaginary Media now conclude these archaeological explorations.<br /><br />The
Book of Imaginary Media is available from NAi
Publishers in Rotterdam and via bookshops and on-line book-sellers.<br /><br />
<b>About the publication:</b><br /><br />The book investigates those technological myths and the dream of the
ultimate communication medium from multiple perspectives. Building on
insights provided by media archeology, <b>Siegfried Zielinski</b>, <b>Bruce
Sterling</b>, <b>Erkki Huhtamo</b> and <b>Timothy Druckrey</b> spin a web of connections
between the wondrous fantasy machines of Athanasius Kircher, the mania
of stereoscopy, 'dead' media and archeological media art. <b>Edwin Carels</b>
and <b>Zoe Beloff</b> descend into the cinematographic caverns of spiritism
and the iconography of death, while <b>Eric Kluitenberg</b> and <b>John Akomfrah</b>
lift the lid on the imaginary connection machines and the 'mothership
connection'<br /><br />Edited by
Eric Kluitenberg (De Balie). Design: Team TCHM, Rotterdam.<br /><br />The accompanying DVD contains the son et lumière version of the stage play “<i>On Imaginary Media</i>” written and illustrated by <b>Peter Blegvad</b>, the experimental short movie “<i>Aqua Micans</i>”
by <b>François Ducat</b>, and a selection of cartoons specially produced for
the 2004 festival by <b>Ben Katchor</b>, <b>Peter Blegvad</b>, <b>Thomas Zummer</b>,
<b>Jonathan Rosen</b>, <b>Sasa</b> (aka Aleksander Zograf), <b>Gary Panter</b>, <b>Dick
Tuinder</b>, <b>Neal Fox </b>en <b>Les Coleman</b>.<br /><br />DVD Design: Reza Tahami