PRESS RELEASE

VARIATION - MEDIA ART FAIR Halle des Blancs-Manteaux, 75004 20th to 25th October, 2015 From 12PM to -8 PM

Variation-Media Art Fair is the first French contemporary art fair dedicated to new media artists, thanks to the collaboration of three major players in the digital contemporary art market : Dominique Moulon, exhibition curator and ; Anne-Cécile Worms, producer of the event, founder of the start-up Art2M and editor of MCD (Magazine des Cultures Digitales); and Vanessa Quang, gallery owner and cofounder of Show-Off, which in 2014 became Variation, Media Art Fair. Last year, the Fair’s first edition attracted more than 12,000 visitors during Contemporary Art Week in Paris and more than 3,000 people to its opening. Variation, Media Art Fair is an exhibition and art sale that aims to showcase both French and international artworks, which this year include works by historical artists (Julio Le Parc, & Michel Bret, Catherine Ikam, ORLAN, , Eduardo Kac, Rolando Pena, Luc Courchesne…), established artists (Shaun Gladwell, Hee Won Lee, Pascal Haudressy, Du Zhenjun, Art Orienté Objet, Joanie Lemercier, Samuel Bianchini…) and emerging artists, as well as art students.

In total, more than one hundred artworks from France, UK, Poland, Austria, Norway, South Korea, Canada, U.S., China, Australia, Argentina, Venezuela…

“In the mid-1960s, the artist Robert Rauschenberg and the engineer Billy Klüver co-organized nine evenings of performances, including one called Variations VII by John Cage. The Variation show refers to this same effervescence by focusing on emerging practices. Variation’s scenography is open, showcasing contemporary singularities. The artworks presented are in various forms, but they all document the way our societies use current technologies and media. The artists who came together here are from all generations and diverse geographical origins. And their contemporary artworks, which describe today’s world, dialogue with each other. Collectors, as well as artists, gallery owners, curators and critics, contribute largely to the recognition of these artworks resulting from singular practices. In John Cage’s time, we were in a sort of pre-machine, pre- Internet era. Today, we live in a period of post-digital cultures, which we have all integrated. The world has become virtual to the point that we wish for it to rematerialize. Yet it is this very transition that is documented by the singular artworks on show at Variation.” Dominique Moulon – Curator of Variation – Media Art Fair Variation – Media Art Fair is produced by Art2M, MCD – Magazine des Cultures Digitales, Next Day and Vanessa Quang Gallery, with support from the City council of Paris 4e arrondissement, Région Ile-de-France and Méditerranée Métropole. Variation – Media Art Fair is also part of Némo, international biennial of – Paris / Île-de-France produced by Arcadi Île-de-France (www.biennalenemo.fr). Variation presents a carte blanche exhibition by the artists of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole featuring the artworks of Selma Lepart, Julien Borrel, Audrey Martin and Thomas Rochon. It will be extended to an exhibition of artists and innovators of Montpellier (with works selected by Franck Bauchard, artistic director of La Panacée in Montpellier), at Makers sur Seine, during Digital Week in Paris on October 19-25.

Anne-Cécile Worms, founder and manager of the start-up Art2M: “Producing this exhibition within the context of Digital Week is part of our core activity, which is associating art and innovation. We produce connected objects and innovative materials created by artists, a MOOC Digital Media for the City of Paris in collaboration with EPSAA, as well as events in France and internationally with artists and makers.”

Variation – Media Art Fair 2015 artists:

Donald Abad (FR) Reynald Drouhin (FR) Mazaccio & Drowilal Memo Akten (TR) Fleury Fontaine (FR) (FR) Art Orienté Objet (FR) Juliette Goiffon & Audrey Martin & Jean-Pierre Attal (FR) Charles Beauté (FR) Thomas Rochon (FR) Cécile Babiole (FR) Lia Giraud (FR) Albertine Meunier (FR) Marion Balac (FR) Shaun Gladwell (AS) Barnabé Moinard (FR) Maurice Benayoun (FR) Catherine Ikam & Louis ORLAN (FR) Samuel Bianchini (FR) Fléri (FR) Alejandro Otero (VE) Matthew Biederman Pascal Haudressy (FR) Rolando Peña (VE) (CA) Claudia Hart (US) Pascale Peyret (FR) Julien Borrel (FR) Eduardo Kac (US) Bertrand Planes (FR) François Brument (FR) Jean-Benoit Lallemant Dani Ploeger (GB) Edmond Couchot et (FR) Olivier Ratsi (FR) Michel Bret (FR) Hee Won Lee (KR) Théoriz & Pia MYrvoLD Luc Courchesne (CA) / Joanie Lemercier (FR) (NO) Michaël Cros (FR) Juan Le Parc (FR) Patrick Tresset (GB) Enora Denis (FR) Julio Le Parc (AR) François Vogel (FR) Quentin Destieu & Selma Lepart (FR) Du Zhenjun (CN) Sylvain Huguet (FR) Julien Levesque (FR) Côme di Meglio & Eliott LIA (AT) Paquet (FR) Christophe Luxereau Pascal Dombis (FR) (FR) Jan Domicz (PL) Laurent Mareschal (FR)

Practical information about Variation – Media Art Fair:

Open to the public: Monday, October 19 at 6pm to Sunday, October 25 at 6pm

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-8pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Venue: Halle des Blancs-Manteaux Pierre-Charles Krieg, 48 rue Vieille du Temple, 75004 Paris

Media preview & VIP: Monday, October 19, 2pm-6pm

Opening (invitation only): Monday, October 19, 6pm-10pm

Free entry – More info: www.variation.paris – www.digitalweek.paris

Media contact:

Ada Fizir – 01 58 28 92 39 – [email protected] / www.art2m.com

Art2M, Co-Créatis/Gaité Lyrique, 3 bis rue Papin, 75003

About the Digital Week :

“Digital Week: Art, Creation & Innovation” is a cultural and innovative event that aims to promote artists, producers and prestigious venues associated with digital contemporary art, featuring over 30 public events in the French capital.

Digital Week is an event produced by Art2M, MCD and Next Day, under the patronage of Mr. Emmanuel Macron, Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Technology. With support from the Ministry of Culture and Communication and the City of Paris. Under the patronage of Ms. Axelle Lemaire, Secretary of State for Digital Technology and Mr. Jean-Paul Huchon, President of the Regional Council of Île-de-France. Information: www.digitalweek.paris