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ELECTRIC FIELDS

For six transformative editions, Electric Fields illuminated Ottawa-Gatineau with a vibrant celebration of art, science, and technology. This biennial festival pushed creative boundaries, showcasing groundbreaking performances, installations, and collaborations that explored the ever-evolving relationship between humans and technology.

 

From it’s early edition in 2008, Electric Fields fostered a spirit of innovation and experimentation, inviting both artists and audiences to engage with the cutting edge of digital culture.

 

Each edition offered a unique journey, delving into themes of sound and space, urban intervention, and playful experimentation.

 

As a testament to the power of community and collaboration, Electric Fields brought together a diverse network of artists, organizations, and audiences to co-create a dynamic and immersive experience that resonated throughout the city.

 

This retrospective celebrates the legacy of Electric Fields, showcasing the highlights of each edition and capturing the spirit of artistic exploration and technological innovation that defined this remarkable festival.

Electric Fields Sparks a New Era of Artistic Innovation

Electric Fields Sparks a New Era of Artistic Innovation

  • November 13th - 22nd 2008

Electric Fields debuted as a groundbreaking showcase of art, science, and technology, blurring boundaries and igniting a new era of artistic innovation in Ottawa-Gatineau.

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Weaving Connections, Igniting Wonder

Weaving Connections, Igniting Wonder

  • November 3rd - 7th 2010

Electric Fields wove together a vibrant tapestry of electronic art, amplifying connections within the region's technological landscape and celebrating the wonder of contemporary creativity.

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Sonic Explorations and the Shaping of Space

Sonic Explorations and the Shaping of Space

  • November 2011

Electric Fields delved into the profound interplay between sound and space, inviting a deeper contemplation of their artistic relationship and sparking conversations about spatiality, culture, and knowledge.

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Playful Experimentation and the Edge of Discovery

Playful Experimentation and the Edge of Discovery

  • November 10th - 14th 2012

Electric Fields embraced playfulness and experimentation, showcasing artists and technology pushing boundaries and venturing into uncharted territories where the unknown meets the known.

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We Make the City

We Make the City

  • September 11th - 14th 2013

lectric Fields transformed into "We Make the City," celebrating the interconnectedness of urban life and inviting the community to co-create a living, breathing artwork within Ottawa-Gatineau.

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ELECTRIC FIELDS 2008

A New Era of Artistic Innovation

Electric Fields 2008 was dedicated to showcasing new and significant performance and installation works created at the intersection of art, science, and technology. Building upon its foundation as a collaboration between Galerie SAW Gallery and SAW Video since 2003, this third edition marked a significant revitalization under the guidance of Artengine. The festival strived to bring a snapshot of the most innovative Canadian and international electronic art, from music performances to installations, to Ottawa-Gatineau, aiming to raise the bar for both the festival and the city itself.
 
A hallmark of Electric Fields 2008 was the fostering of a network of organizations, including art institutions, media art production centers, film presenters, DJs, and other festivals. This collaboration demonstrated the importance of the intersection of art and technology, as each organization expanded beyond traditional definitions of their disciplines. The festival highlighted and coordinated this “messy spill-over” between disciplines, creating an audience experience that was both fragmented and seamless.
 
Electric Fields 2008 was presented by Artengine and SAW Video, with co-presentation by The Ottawa Art Gallery, Carleton University Art Gallery, The Canadian Film Institute, and Daimon. It was a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential of art and technology to inspire and engage audiences.
Electric Evangelicals
Artengine transformed a decommissioned church into an electrifying haven for electronic audio-visual performance art.
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Artinjun
artinjun.ca is a open site for ndn interventions and projects for and by artists in any discipline who self identify as indigenous.
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3 minutes 20 devant the nominal three (to William of Ockham)de Dan Flavin
Six musicians attempt to reproduce the sound emanating from a recording of Dan Flavin’s work comprised of six fluorescents tubes.
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Sophie Bélair Clément Cheryl L'Hirondelle Squelchbox Carrie Gates Tvestroy Nokami Steven Loft Dana Samuel Jason Lewis Alexandre Castonguay Mathieu Bouchard Sandra Dyck Jeremy Bailey Louis Dufort Mika Taanila Optical Sound Simon Hughes Tina Frank Thomas J. Newton Maria Duncker BEARWitness Chris Rockwell DJ Frame Jackson 2Bears NDN Radio Radio

ELECTRIC FIELDS 2010

Weaving Connections, Igniting Wonder

For almost 15 years, Artengine had worked to connect the creative threads that wove through the technological landscape of the region. The Electric Fields festival was its opportunity to push these connections beyond the everyday and celebrate the wonder of contemporary electronic art.
 
Like much of the work presented at Electric Fields, the festival itself was a collaborative effort. Beyond the dedicated team, many community and cultural partners contributed to the programming at the heart of the festival. More than simply an array of logos, the list of contributors in the program guide represented the significant partnerships needed to make this undertaking possible.
 
The festival aimed to provide a diverse and immersive experience, showcasing the exciting possibilities of electronic art and technology.
Nichola Feldman-Kiss Donna Legault Gordon Monahan Andrew O'Malley Catherine Richards Rafael Lozano-Hemmer Adrian Göllner Tim Olden Chris Lindsay Caroline Seck Langill Philippe Blanchard Norman White Nell Tenhaaf Marie-Jeanne Musiol Laurent Gagnon Wendy Coburn Steve Daniels Kingdom Shore Christopher Payne Alexandre Burton Julien Roy Willy Le Maitre Gary James Joynes Tasman Richardson Nohista Ray Gould This Is Not Design Mathew Cameron 4 Turntables DJ Illo DJ Drastik Paul Jasen TIND Herman Kolgen PurForm Deejay NDN Deejay Frame DJ Shub Bear Witness
3D Frenzy
This Is Not Design (Montréal), Mathew Cameron (Ottawa), DJ Illo and DJ Drastik
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Prototype
Can we create a presentation environment that allows artists to express the tension between these parts of the creative process?
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Solid Vision
“Solid Vision” is an art installation showcasing independent Canadian artists’ work in stereoscopic video production.
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Philosophers Cube
3D projection of an alien cube on the Rideau Centre wall, posing philosophical questions to passersby and displaying their answers, gathered through Twitter.
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V-Atak
In Tasman Richardson’s Greatest Hits: A Video Mix Tape Bear Witness takes the idea of the DJ mix tape and applies it to Tasman Richardson’s extensive library of JAWA remix work.
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ELECTRIC FIELDS 2011

Sonic Explorations and the Shaping of Space

For almost 15 years, Artengine had worked to connect the creative threads that wove through the technological landscape of the region. The Electric Fields festival was its opportunity to push these connections beyond the everyday and celebrate the wonder of contemporary electronic art.
 
Like much of the work presented at Electric Fields, the festival itself was a collaborative effort. Beyond the dedicated team, many community and cultural partners contributed to the programming at the heart of the festival. More than simply an array of logos, the list of contributors in the program guide represented the significant partnerships needed to make this undertaking possible.
 
The festival aimed to provide a diverse and immersive experience, showcasing the exciting possibilities of electronic art and technology.
Church Music
“Church Music” event transformed St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts into more than just a venue; the basilica’s unique architecture became an integral part of the performance.
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Electric PowWow
Electric Pow Wow 2011, an electrifying event held at the Museum of Civilization’s Grand Hall, celebrated the fusion of indigenous culture and modern electronic music.
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Swim Sound
“Solid Vision” is an art installation showcasing independent Canadian artists’ work in stereoscopic video production.
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Polytectures
structured sounds in the capital
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Jesse Stewart Rob Cruickshank Antoine Bédard Roger Tellier-Craig Martin Bédard Jean François Laporte A Tribe Called Red

ELECTRIC FIELDS 2012

Playful Experimentation and the Edge of Discovery

For almost 15 years, Artengine had worked to connect the creative threads that wove through the technological landscape of the region. The Electric Fields festival was its opportunity to push these connections beyond the everyday and celebrate the wonder of contemporary electronic art.
 
Like much of the work presented at Electric Fields, the festival itself was a collaborative effort. Beyond the dedicated team, many community and cultural partners contributed to the programming at the heart of the festival. More than simply an array of logos, the list of contributors in the program guide represented the significant partnerships needed to make this undertaking possible.
 
The festival aimed to provide a diverse and immersive experience, showcasing the exciting possibilities of electronic art and technology.
Donna Legault, Dipna Horra, Adam Saikaley, Kwende Kefentse, Evan Dysart, Christopher Smeenk, Simon Bradley, Michael Caffrey, Kerry Campbell, Jesse Stewart, Szkieve, This Is Not Design, Nicolas Bernier, Martin Messier, Roger Tellier-Craig, Sabrina Ratté, A Tribe Called Red, Chris Payne, Britta Evans-Fenton, Roger Connah, Barry Blesser, Paul Theberge, David Lieberman, Linda-Ruth Salter, Halldóra Arnardóttir, Mohammed Al Riffai, Javier Sanchez Marina
D.O.M.E.
Audiovisual work in a geodesic dome build specifically for this occasion. A unique immersive experience!
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Digital Territories
Digital Territories, an audiovisual exploration at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, will take you on a journey through uncharted sonic landscapes and new media artistry.
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Symbiose
The architecture of the space will come to life with its own live sounds and performed images. Vibrations captured from within the space and from the city surroundings are made audible and mixed live into an ambient soundscape.
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surrounding sound
Surrounding Sound symposium involves four separate discussions on the relationship of sound and space to be led by four artists/researchers; bringing together creative thinkers from Montréal, Toronto, New York City, San Francisco, and of course right here in Ottawa.
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Mini Maker Faire
First ever Maker Faire that took place in Ottawa
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ELECTRIC FIELDS: We Make The City  2013

For almost 15 years, Artengine had worked to connect the creative threads that wove through the technological landscape of the region. The Electric Fields festival was its opportunity to push these connections beyond the everyday and celebrate the wonder of contemporary electronic art.
 
Like much of the work presented at Electric Fields, the festival itself was a collaborative effort. Beyond the dedicated team, many community and cultural partners contributed to the programming at the heart of the festival. More than simply an array of logos, the list of contributors in the program guide represented the significant partnerships needed to make this undertaking possible.
 
The festival aimed to provide a diverse and immersive experience, showcasing the exciting possibilities of electronic art and technology.
Design Challenge
Posters for We Make The City by the community
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Landline
LandLine is an app-based creative city intervention that discusses the region’s culture and current social stance.
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Rhythm Ride
A simple ride around the canal becomes a crowd-sourced concert by way of radios, gears, LEDs, pedals, processors and a mobile sound system.
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Dynamic Maze
The Dynamic Maze is a play structure designed to inspire imaginative spatial play.
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Bridge
Stewart asks you to step out into the city and to listen and play.
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AGIT POV Workshop
Agit POV is a simple LED device for the spokes of your wheel that makes clever use of your pedal power, turning your bicycle wheel into a personal billboard.
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Mariangela Aponte, Alexandre Castonguay, Thomas Ouellet Fredericks, Henri Kuschkowitz and Anthony Scavarelli, Elizabeth MacKinnon, Kwende Kefentse and Mathieu Trudel, Ghetto Blast Sound System, Velo Vogue, Impromptu Playground, Megan Smith, Jesse Stewart