The de Saisset Museum at Santa Clara University

FreshBrain.org Contemporary New Media Art Contest

Technology: Hope and Promise 　

In Spring 2009, the de Saisset Museum held an exhibit entitled Tech Tools of the Trade: Contemporary New Media Art. The show featured works that not only employed new media technology (i.e., web-based, digital, or electronic media), but also in many cases commented on the role of technology in our lives today. In the line with our mission to exist as a center of lifelong learning, that facilitates discovery, experience, and inspiration, the de Saisset partnered with FreshBrain.org to host an art contest for local youth in the spirit of this exhibit.

FreshBrain is a site dedicated to making technology accessible to teenagers by providing information about technology and access to various tools. The site, however, also functions as a social network. Serving as an engaging, collaborative, and safe environment, FreshBrain.org enables teenagers to interact with one another and with technology via a wide range of activities, projects, and other opportunities. The site also provides a platform in which teenagers can display their work and comment on others'.

Hoping to further encourage this exploration and utilization of technology in creativity, the de Saisset and FreshBrain held the Contemporary New Media Art Contest. The contest invited teenagers (ages 13-18) to submit artwork that employed new media and reflected the theme "Technology: Hope and Promise." Submissions were judged by a panel of experts from Santa Clara University (including studio art faculty and de Saisset staff): Ernest Jolly, Rebecca M. Schapp, Katie Vann, and Kathy Aoki. The works awarded First, Second, and Third Place are featured here (and 30 other finalists received a Certificate of Recognition from the de Saisset Museum).