For the first time on the internet, students and teachers from art academies all over the world can compare and comment on each other’s video art in an international online filmfestival in November 2009. An interview with Ryan Seslow, art professor and the big brains behind the Student Streaming Festival.

What’s the idea behind the student streaming festival?

It is a platform for college level Art students ( undergraduate and graduate ) to exhibit, prepare, speak out and receive feedback for their works that examine the medium of video and experimental film. It is an international platform that will allow for the interaction with other participants from all over the world. It is open worldwide, and its home will be streamed online ( to start ). The beauty of a streaming internet based exhibition is that the entire world becomes the audience.

Could you explain how the Student Edition works? What’s the role of the students, what’s the role of the professors?

Simply put, the students will create works that they feel are worthy of exposing and showing, upon this the role of the professors / teachers will be to review the works and offer feedback on a personal level. I am hoping that this experience will install colleague based relationships for the future.

As I understood, this inter-college festival is not only interesting and inspiring for students, but for the professors aswell. What are you hoping to see/learn from the programs of other academies?

A diversity of energized feedback, we all see and experience the world so differently, that is the beauty of life itself. The words and perspective of another can become a defining moment for someone. I am also hoping to form relationships that will lead to future collaborations.

Will there be any kind of competition?

As of now, no, but we are not ruling that out yet. With so much energy and creativity in and of itself, I’m not sure if we need to add that aspect to the experience. We want everyone to feel comfortable and inspired.

You participated in former editions of the Streaming Festival, what aspects of the online festival appeal to you?

The worldwide global exposure, the fact that I received e-mails from people in other countries really excited me. The responses were thing I had never thought of, it certainly added to my perception and future works.
Plus I made new friends. This venture is a result of all that!

You asked your students to write reviews on the 3rd edition of the Streaming Festival. How did they like the festival? Could you give an example of an useful comment?

The response was positive overall, we must remember that video art is still an up and coming medium that is becoming more and more accepted as a primary art form. Most of my students were not working in video at the time, but I do know that the festival did inspire them to experiment. Time based art, is time based, so attention spans are stretched and or captivated. I saw a mix of that! I’m sure we will see those submissions. I do not have a specific example at the moment as I gave those papers back!

What would you say to professors that have not yet decided to participate in the student edition? How would you recommend the Student Edition to them?

The student edition is a great opportunity for professors to get a working knowledge of what upcoming artists are creating as the technology generation emerges! We must put ourselves into the shoes of those who are between 18 years old and 30 years old! This is the perfect platform to learn from.

Are you interested in participating with the Student Streaming Festival?
Let us know at info©streamingfestivalstudentedition.com

An interview with Ryan Seslow, posted by Femke

Ryan Selsow’s art.
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