The theme for BEAP 07 is ‘stillness’, which seems an interesting choice for a festival that deals with such a fast-paced and rapidly changing medium as electronic technology.

But according to Dr Paul Thomas, founder and former Director of BEAP the theme represents the need for humanity to reflect on the changes bought about the continual multi-faceted advances we are making.

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‘Data is growing and spreading at a rapid rate into every corner of the globe. This data is something akin to a maelstrom- a global storm that’s unstoppable and unpredictable.

But, at the storm’s eye- as in nature- there is a stillness, a momentary space for reflection.’

BEAP 07 will be combining the work of many cutting-edge artists across diverse disciplines and seeks to explore the dynamics of today’s digital and bio age.

Key exhibition spaces such as the John Curtin Gallery, PICA, The Bakery ARTRAGE Complex and the Holmes à Court Gallery will be showcasing artwork from the USA, Canada, Austria, France, Germany, Poland, Taiwan and Australia that explore the ‘stillness’ theme. This is the first time many of the works will be seen in Australia and the exhibitions are free to the public.

The Bakery ARTRAGE complex will host the Still, Living exhibition that explores biological systems. The exhibition features work developed at SymbioticA by renowned artists such as ORLAN, Critical Art Ensemble and The Tissue Culture & Art Project among others. You can see a more extensive collection of ORLAN’s work in the Skin and Stone exhibition at the Holmes à Court Gallery.

At PICA two new works include Ulf Langeinrich’s multi-level, immersive audiovisual experience, Waveform B and BORIS+NATASCHA’s Meditations series, which offers viewers a guided meditation of 21st century anxiety.

BEAP 07 will also encompass two international conferences. CADE 07- Computers in Art and Design Education and Perth DAC- the 7th International Digital Arts and Culture Conference. The conferences will bring to Perth a list of global experts in the field of electronic arts and will examine the fascinating intersections between art, science and new technologies.

In addition, there will be satellite exhibitions, workshops and a BEAP Club hosted by ARTRAGE at The Bakery, five nights a week.

BEAP 07 will run from September 10-23. For more information, visit www.beap.org.