Opening reception: Wednesday, 17th August 2005, 4.30 to 6.30pm
15th August – 7th September 2005
FREE TO PUBLIC

On Wednesday, 17th August from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM please join the opening reception with vuspace staff of the exhibit: "LIES THAT BILL GATES TOLD ME: EXPLORING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE" created as part of a research project conducted by Jesus Macarena-Avila, running from 15th August – 7th September 2005. This special exhibition will be opened by Melbourne based artist, Lucreccia Quintanilla (pictured on the right) and features the artist collective known as POLVO based in Chicago, Illinois exploring identity politics, re-addressing and documenting localhistory under the idea of the ‘digital divide".

Among the exhibitors are: Yesica Barrera, Miguel Cortez, Amanda Gutierrez, Monica Herrera, Hugo Michel Hernandez, Claudia Lozano-Alberu, Harold Mendez, Jaime Mendoza, POLVO, Elvia Rodriguez-Ochoa, Manuel Sanchez and Edra Soto.

The exhibition portion of this research project curated by Jesus Macarena-Avila and curatorial assistants: Miguel Cortez and Amanda Gutierrez will open on Wednesday, 17th August 2005 from 4.30 to 6.30pm. This exhibition is part of a research project conducted by in collaboration with vuspace by Jesus Macarena-Avila:

"This research project is to survey 1) visual artists working within computer mediated art forms based in Chicago, Illinois, artists representing a first generation United States born or recent Latin American immigrants. And 2) to find the connections between digital divide theory and unrepresented artistic communities in the city of Chicago.

As apart of this research project, an exhibition of their work will displayed at vuspace though 15 August to 7 September 2005." – Jesus Macarena-Avila, guest researcher and curator

For more information contact Tristian Koenig, P: +61 3 9919 2355 E: tristian.koenig@vu.edu.au VUSpace is located at Victoria University, Lvl 1. Blg 9 McKechnie, St, St Albans VIC Australia 3021, and visit them online at http://vuspace.vu.edu.au

ABOUT VUSPACE: vuspace is the newly created, state of the art gallery for Computer Mediated Art at Victoria University. vuspace aims to provide an epicentre for research into the intersection between digital technology and the visual arts. It will explore the relationship between theory and practice in the visual arts through exhibitions, formal academic papers, forums, seminars, artists' talks and interdisciplinary collaborations.

vuspace will provide a physical and online showcase of research in digital technology and the visual arts in a local, national and global context. vuspace aims to contribute and advance development in the transdisciplinary space of art and technology reinforcing the importance of creating new knowledge through research in this field.

ABOUT POLVO: Polvo is an alternative space located in Chicago's Pilsen neighbourhood and is operated by the Polvo Art Collective, originally formed in 1996. Polvo's history consists of organizing artistic and cultural venues with Chicago/Pilsen-based community spaces. In addition to venues, the collective generated a magazine focused on arts and culture followed by an online website that initiated an international array of visual artists, writers, and cultural critics (Polvo maintained a Pilsen gallery space in 1999).

Since February 2003, the Polvo Art Collective has been organizing and curating art exhibits at the Polvo space where we showcase contemporary art including installation projects, new media and performance by a diverse group of emerging and established artists.

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