NYPL Labs and Map Division host first library Net Artist Residency

By Ben Vershbow
August 7, 2014
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Submissions are now closed. We will be announcing the selected resident in mid-September. Thanks to all who applied!

NYPL Labs is pleased to announce the Library's first-ever Net Artist Residency, in partnership with local hardware startup Electric Objects.


NYPL Labs Net Artist Residency

Based in the East Village, Electric Objects (EO) has an intriguing idea: what if there was a computer dedicated to the sole purpose of exhibiting digital artwork? To find out, they're making one. The E01 will be digital environment -- a screen -- that is free from the distractions and constant pings and alerts of our daily devices. A slowed-down part of the internet that you can display in your home, office, or what have you, as you would a painting or photograph.

Electrict Objects example

EO is in the early stages of designing and prototyping, and they're just wrapping up a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to manufacture their first generation of screens. To begin exploring the possibilities of the platform, they've started an artist residency program. NYPL Labs is excited to be among their first partners.

As the first of what we hope to be many such opportunities, we're asking applicants to see what beautiful things can be made from our map and NYC history collections. This includes:

We're accepting applications until August 20 (2014). The selected artist will receive:

  • EO Prototype Kit (approx. $400)
  • $500 stipend
  • Full rights to re-sell / re-share / re-display any work produced
  • Time with Jacob Bijani, who leads the Electric Objects development team
  • Time with the NYPL Labs team and Geospatial Librarian Matt Knutzen
  • The opportunity to present your work at NYPL (physically and online)

And we've assembled an awesome judges panel working at the intersection of digital maps and digital arts+crafts:

Get the full details at the Electric Objects artists page.