A reflection on the new paradigm of the Internet era
César Alierta. President of Fundación Telefónica

Without the shadow of a doubt, the social transformations we are witnessing at the beginning of this new millennium have their origin in the impact of information and communication technologies, and very especially Internet.

The digital revolution is cutting across traditional space-time borders to make possible the phenomenon of communication at a global scale as well as the development of interactivity in a totally unprecedented fashion.

As a universal means of communication, Internet is a true web that not only enables traffic between opposite sides of the planet, but also to join and take part in virtual communities, that is, in what we know as network society.

In the same way as the invention of the printing press by Gutenberg meant a seachange in the then existing cultural model, the irruption of Internet is transforming the role of art and culture, aesthetic production and art and scientific techniques. Under the influence of Internet, we are seeing a true transformation in the ways of creating, producing and distributing artworks and indeed a questioning of the very concept of creation.

banquete_nodos y redes showcases over thirty digital projects combining technological innovation with art creation, exploring the connections between art, science and technology.

At this crossroads, I wish to celebrate Fundación Telefónica’s collaboration with LABoral, the involvement of SEACEX, and the coordination with ZKM, in maintaining an ongoing line of research into the complexity of the art fact associated with supports, media and languages of expression, and also in the proposal for a reflection on the new paradigm of the Internet era contained in this exhibition.