Phatt-B: A Celebration of Digital Arts in Brooklyn

Jeremy Bailey, Important Portrait of the Artist's WifeNearly 300 students, artists, educators, and community members attended the Digital Arts Department’s inaugural PHATT-B (Pratt Hosts Art of Technology Terminal) — A Celebration of Digital Arts in Brooklyn event, which was held on September 21 in Myrtle Hall. PHATT-B included a series of free panel discussions with artists, curators, and writers working in new media and digital arts; workshops on art and technology; and an exhibition of work from eight Brooklyn digital art galleries.

“PHATT-B helped put the department on the map as being a central hub of digital arts in Brooklyn,” said Carla Gannis, PHATT-B co-organizer and assistant chair, Digital Arts. “The event provided a lively forum for discussion about digital arts and new media as art forms that invite collaboration and innovation.”

Eva and Franco Mattes (a.k.a. 0100101110101101.ORG), two pioneers in the net.art movement, delivered a keynote address on their unpredictable and controversial digital art. Participating galleries included 247365, Cartune Xprez, Devotion Gallery, Interstate Projects, Present Company, Momenta Art, Transfer Art, and Nurture Art. The event was sponsored by Art F City.

To see Gannis talk about the Department of Digital Arts and her own work, watch this month's Faculty Focus video.

Text: Amy Aronoff
Images: Courtesy of the artist