Fred Forest, From Sociological Art to the Aesthetics of Communication

French media artist and theorist Fred Forest (born in 1933) is one of the earliest pioneers of video and media art. His work with interactive environments using computer and video elements, began as early as 1968. At the forefront of interactive art and new media, sociology, and institutional critique, his work frequently immaterial and relational, raises questions about the nature and function of art in a market-driven age of information. A retrospective of his work was held at the Slought Foundation in Philadelphia in 2007. Forest has exhibited and presented at institutions including, the Centre Georges Pompidou, Espace Pierre Cardin, and the Musee d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Currently artist in residence in New York at Residency Unlimited supported by the Institut Francais, Fred Forest is implementing a global interactive project at the Centre d’art Albi, France and has several upcoming projects scheduled in the United States August and September.

The List Visual Arts Center wishes to thank The Cultural Service of the French Consulate in Boston, Residency Unlimited, and the MIT-France Program for their generous assistance in making this talk possible.