Public Netbase: Non Stop Future - Editorial

Public Netbase: Non Stop Future
New practices in Art and Media

New information technologies have become ubiquitous and thoroughly established in our everyday life. This marks the end of a period of intense experimentations and speculations related to the introduction of global communication systems more than a decade ago. Artists and cultural workers were the first to explore the liberatory dimensions and to apply emancipatory potentials. These early pioneers developed a range of interdisciplinary models and practices in order to expand the scope of social participation in information society cultures. Initiatives like the radical Viennese media culture institution Public Netbase became important nodes in a global network dedicated to critical art, culture and science based on new media practices.

A virtual world is possible, but never without real spaces and tangible social interaction. The publication is both, a review of the pioneer days from the perspective of Public Netbase as well as an outlook into the future of art and culture in digital networks. It provides an overview of a critical information economy discourse, insights into Tactical Media strategies and a critique of the loss of public domain and the commons. Based on the extensive archives of Public Netbase, the book features some of the most spectacular and controversial art projects and interventions from 1994 to 2006. It also offers historical documents and manifestos critical of commercialization and control society issues, together with a view into the digital world of tomorrow. "Non Stop Future" raises awareness for a need to invest in new and diverse practices in art and media.

Extensive contributions to this book from many art and media theorists and practitioners relate to long lasting collaboration with Public Netbase through different formats of conferences and projects, reflecting some of the most relevant problematic in constellation of art, tactical media practices and theories within communication technologies. Broad spectrum of themes regarding politics of digital media culture, art practices, networking, participation and self-organizing make the "Non Stop Future" important investor in forming critical heritage of the future.