Going dotty over digital

Where can you rub shoulders with the co-creator of Damon Albarn's animated pop outfit Gorillaz (Jamie Hewlett), the man responsible for introducing us to The Rapture (Trevor Jackson) and the collective that has directed music videos for Blur and Radiohead (Shynola)? At onedotzero, a festival celebrating the digital moving image, which takes place later this month at the ICA.

Now in its eighth year, both the festival's profile and the cultural impact of its participants continue to expand. So much so that, after ten days at the ICA, onedotzero will tour 60 cities across four continents, indicating a global audience hungry for adventures in digital moving image. The organisation also runs a DVD label and a production company responsible for two onedottv series on Channel 4.

Humble beginnings

What is the digital moving image? Loosely speaking, it's a broad area that ranges from the familiar, such as music videos, website design and VJ culture, to the not-so-familiar, including console gaming graphics and Japanese animè.

'When we began in 1996, digital cameras and digital desktop editing software were relatively new tools. They enabled people from a variety of creative backgrounds - graphic designers, illustrators, special effects and console/computer game designers - to experiment with the moving image,' says project manager Anna Doyle.

'As with all art forms, the artist's tools do not define the work itself. Digital moving image technology is an instrument for artistic expression. Anyone can pick up a digital camera, but it doesn't mean the end product will be an innovative piece of moving image.'

The aim of onedotzero is to push the medium's boundaries and, as the digital moving image becomes more visible in popular culture, this has become easier to do. 'When we first launched, music videos, computer gaming and motion graphics were definitely not considered art forms by the arts establishment,' says Doyle. 'Now the tide seems to be turning. The aesthetics and experimentation that onedotzero has continued to champion have filtered through to the mainstream over the past few years.

'Some of the maverick music video directors we featured in early onedotzero festivals now receive critical acclaim for innovative feature films,' she continues. Spike Jonze is an early alumnus. After directing ground-breaking music videos for the Beastie Boys and Fatboy Slim (specifically Weapon Of Choice, featuring Christopher Walken), he directed Being John Malkovich and Adaptation. Meanwhile, Michel Gondry, who previously directed music videos for Bjork and The White Stripes, went on to direct Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind.

The X factor

The artists being showcased and celebrated at onedotzero add the X factor to the everyday - whether it's seducing you with the imagery of a record cover or drawing you into the sophisticated world on a games console. If you've ever been transfixed by a music video for a song you don't even like, chances are that digital moving imagery has played a part. Is there, arguably, a better example of contemporary art?

onedotzero runs from May 28 to Jun 6 at the ICA, The Mall SW1. Tel: 020 7930 3647. www.onedotzero.com