Respuestas al cuestionario
PROYECTO DE GESTION INDEPENDIENTE. APROXIMACIONES AL CONCEPTO

FREEWAVES

How does your space define its independent character?

We are basically a network of cultural workers dispersed over Los Angeles
without a central location. On even years (2002, 2004) we produce a media
arts festival and on odd years (2001, 2003...) we work on TV programming.
For our biennial festival, we put out a wide open call for works, receive
1500 international entries, curate by a changing diverse committee (detailed
below), and select about 15 programs of video etc revealing an overview of
new media arts, chosen for Los Angeles. The programs are thematic to cross
all other lines of distinction (age, race, gender etc) and to attract
audiences based on issues and locations. Other organizations host our
programs at their venues for audiences drawn from their lists, our followers
and new sources. We use TV, billboards, storefronts, cafes, museums,
galleries and the web as sites to attract newcomers as well as seasoned
visitors of all categories. The art work we select is independent video, a
medium very estranged from the mainstream of Los Angeles, which we try to
integrate.

Does your curatorial practice have a specific orientation and is it based on
an established model of curating?

Freewaves uses a curatorial process which has evolved from its volunteer
beginnings to our current committee of paid curators who are 10 artists,
critics and professional curators, young and old, male and female,
specialists in various genres, and ethnically diverse. They spend 8 Sundays
showing each other clips of their favorite entries they viewed at home
during the previous week; a useful method for 10 people to respectfully
evaluate and share 1500 entries. Very intense discussions sculpt prejudices
into honed programs and finally individuals separate to select solo
programs. The director places the shows in cooperation with the venues'
staff.

How does your space interpret ideas about power and politics?

Los Angeles currently has a very large active art scene, but there are
limitations that Freewaves has addressed over the years. In 1989 the L.A.
art world was segregated racially which generated the founding of Freewaves.
The group began to crossover the neighborhood divides within the city via
cheap video copies. In the 1990s the group became a strong network that
responded to the riots, identity politics, gender issues and new genres that
artists raised. Now the art world is losing its middle class, becoming
marginal or elitist occupations, which Freewaves opposes via public
screenings and wide outreach.

How is your space run financially?

Freewaves survives on government and foundation grants.

Describe the artistic scene in your local context.

Los Angeles currently has a very large active art scene, but there are
limitations that Freewaves has addressed over the years. In 1989 the L.A.
art world was segregated racially which generated the founding of Freewaves.
The group began to crossover the neighborhood divides within the city via
cheap video copies. In the 1990s the group became a strong network that
responded to the riots, identity politics, gender issues and new genres that
artists raised. Now the art world is losing its middle class, becoming
marginal or elitist occupations, which Freewaves opposes via public
screenings and wide outreach.

Does your space have a specific policy regarding publications?

Freewaves is very interested in operating transparently and circulating its
research widely. We publish most material on the web to disseminate it for
free for all interested, which tends to be artists, teachers and students,
who are generally online. Printing and commercial distribution are too
costly to the small, scattered audience. We have self-published videos and
teachers' guides for the local schools. Our efforts toward television most
appropriately address this question considering that we work mostly with
video. See next question.

Does your space promote the insertion of local artistic production into a
global context? How and why?

Internet, satellite technology and desktop video are reshaping people's art
experiences. After 9 public panel discussions on these matters, Freewaves
has concluded It is time to start a media arts program on TV. Someday a
whole arts TV channel will be even a better idea as well as its online
international curatorial committee and worldwide satellite dissemination.
To gain practice, the festival involves curators and programs from all
continents.

Freewaves has produced 2 one-hour pilot TV programs to test ideas and
various TV programmers' interest in our material. One program is textual and
low budget, and the other involves more production and interviews. The two
productions offer two different budget levels and approaches as models.

During 2005, we will offer the pilots simultaneously to HBO, Sundance, Trio,
Australian TV, Arté, Azteca TV, Channel 4, ZDF, Canadian Broadcast TV, Link
TV and others. Depending on the response of these TV channels, we will
explore the financial possibilities of creating a regular TV program and
contracting with artists. Freewaves invites other organizations to
participate in the effort.