Version Programming Platforms

The following are some basic platforms areas for Version Festival. Most works and projects typically will be programmed under these platforms. Each year we accept around 300-400 initiatives, works and projects by participants. Our goal is to help facilitate and realize ones that best fit our festival goals budget and capabilities. This year's exhibitions and programs include:

Version Group Show: Dark Matter
This show features work based on the fesitval Dark matter Theme. Visit the April 18 entry on our calendar. Images of soem of the work on display is at this flickr site.

NFO XPO
The NFO XPO (pronounced "info expo") brings art groups and community orgs together to exchange information and ideas as well as provide a public platform for each group to present themselves. WE see it as a trade show for experimental art, emerging spaces, and radical exchange. It's our version of what an art fair could be.

Through the simple presentation format of a booth or table, based on a science fair model, we will facilitate straight-forward exchanges about what is going on locally in various communities, from disparate neighborhoods in Chicago, to cities all over the world. Media and art collectives, anti-globalization initiatives, community projects, alt spaces, and other art/activist initiatives are represented this year. The NFO XPO takes Place April 19 and 20, 2008. See the calendar entry on April 19 for more info. Visit the NFO XPO directory for a list of participanting groups , spaces and projects.

Web Version:
Selected websites that are part of the virtual platform for Dark Matter>. Visit this site for Web selections!

Curatorial Projects
In order to facilitate wider participation by visiting groups/guests from around the country and abroad we are providing project/exhibition spaces to curators, groups and collectives to share projects, initiatives, exhibitions. This year the Space 1026 group show and the Mind the Gap exhibit exceptional work from around the US and Germany.

Free University (FREE U)
We are placing workshops, presentations, demonstrations, talks, lectures and classes within the framework of the Free University platform. Free University Programs will be presented during April 19 + April 20.

Live Musical Performances
Live performance is a strong component of the festival. Performances will take place throughout the city in clubs, Version spaces and other facilities. Musical Performances take place throughout the festival.

Performance/ Interventions/ Mobile Projects
Picnics, tours, public interventions, anarchist marching bands, creative disturbances in public space, initiatives by space invaders and hijackers and performance artists of all stripes welcome. This Year Version is pleased to support Field of Dreams a local public sclpture garden initiated by The Plaines Project.

Underground Multiplex (Film/Video)
Version and its sister festival, Select Media Festival, are always seeking fresh video work: We show experimental, documentary, animation, and shorts of all types welcome. This year the program is spread throughout festival sites, but predominantly during the April 19-20 NFO XPO.