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The Bonn Development Workshop for Computer Media (BEC)

1987
Dedicated media artists and scientists gathered in the surroundings of Bonn University. They were fascinated by the developments in the "new media" that were just beginning at that time, and the new possibilities that they were opening. Their goal was, and is, an unparalleled synthesis of natural science and art. "Installation Naro", an interactive sound installation was their first project.

1989
with "Reconstruction of a Forest", a large scale installation concerning the problems of the rain forest, they opened up a completely new path of media education that excited a very positive reaction amongst the public. In 1990, the non-profit organisation the Bonn Development Workshop for Computer Media (BEC) arose out of the group. Since that time, Dr. Bodo Lensch has been chairman of the executive committee. The creation of a continuously available forum for culture and media technology was designated as one of the most important goals of the organisation. Ten years later, this goal was achieved with the opening of the ANIMAX Multimedia Theatre.

1991
"Architecture of Sounds" - interactive music theatre

Heralding the way - the two international festivals organised by the BEC "Chip Alchemy" 1990 and "Poème interactif" 1992. For the first time, an interested public was shown, in the form of a festival, the spectrum of the possibilities of computer media in combination with literature, acting, graphic arts and music.

1993
was the beginning of the collaboration with the New York artist Doris Vila, signalled by the interactive holograph and video environment "The Book of Air".

1995
From 1989 on, the BEC used a room in the "carpet factory" in the Bonn suburb of Beuel, which was developed into a temporary multimedia theatre. Although the conditions were far from ideal - time and again the auditorium had to be cleared to make way for rehearsals of the Bonn Opera - a number of exhibitions and performances took place.

1996
saw the presentation of "Observation Suite", a much noticed interactive performance for dancer and virtual actors, danced at first by James Saunders and later by Lino do Carmo. Likewise in 1996, against the background of the state anniversary "50 years North Rhine-Westphalia", the BEC organised the "Electronic Art and Theatre Workshop" with workshops, talks and performances.

1997
an interactive children’s opera called "Fairytale from the Meta-Cinema: the Choreoscope".

1999
saw the beginning of the project "Story Machine" - an interactive audio-video installation by the New York artists Doris Vila (concept), Dave Weinstein (music) and the BEC (realisation) presented between 20/10 and 5/11/1999 at the ANIMAX Multimedia Theatre. The project will be continued in the setting of the World Exhibition EXPO 2000, in June and July 2000

Opening of the ANIMAX Multimedia Theatre on 22^nd June 1999 with "Cyberstage": four journeys through virtual worlds - a project of the GMD - Research Centre for Information Technology Ltd.

1998, December: start of the redevelopment of an auditorium in the Multiplex cinema "Kinopolis" as the ANIMAX Multimedia Theatre

1998 Signing of the rent agreement with the City of Bonn for an auditorium in "Kinopolis" in the Bonn suburb of Bad Godesberg.

1997 "Fairytale from the Meta-Cinema: the Choreoscope" - an interactive children’s opera

1996/7 Development of the temporary multimedia theatre in the "carpet factory" as a playhouse for "virtual shows"

1996 "Observation Suite" - scenarios for dancer and virtual actors

"Observation Environment" - interactive computer animation and music environment

1996 "Electronic art and Theatre Workshop" - workshops, talks and events against the background of the state anniversary "50 Years North Rhine-Westphalia"

1995 "Sonic Arts" - intermedial concert performance as part of "Dialoog Cultuur - the Netherlands in North Rhine-Westphalia"

1995 Development of the temporary multimedia theatre in the "carpet factory"

1994 "Theatre Machine Opera Clones" - interactive audio and video environment

1994 "Dance of the Five Animals" - interactive audio and video environment

1993 "The Book of Air" - interactive holograph and video environment

1993 "Global Village - Hidden Pathways" - interactive music theatre

1992 "Poème interactif" - second international festival for interactive computer media in combination with literature, acting, graphic arts and music

1992 "Babylon - a Sound Spectacle"/ "Transformation MD I: Echecs"/ "Transformation MD II: Slowing Down" - interactive music and dance theatre

1991 "Architecture of Sounds" - interactive music theatre

1990 "Chip Alchemy Festival" - first festival for interactive computer media in combination with acting, dance and music theatre in West Germany

1990 "Chip Alchemy" - workshop model on the prospects of creative team-work with computer media for young people

1990 "Sound Garden" and "Ecophone", two interactive sound-space installations

1989 "Reconstruction of a Forest" - large scale interactive installation on the problems of the rain-forest.

1987/88 "Installation Naro" in Bonn, Essen (Machine Hall of the Carl Colliery), Cologne (Stollwerck House)