Videopong

Situation

In Switzerland, as well as internationally, the number of freelance VJs and video artists has multiplied in recent years. VJ (Visual Jockey) refers to who mixes moving picture associatively to the music, who entertains visually and spatially at a musical occasion, so that image, space and sound blend in an intimate ensemble. VJing is a young field of video art, in which an important aspect is the generation of video in real time. (See Glossary "VJ")

Due to the technical possibilities, as well as an ever-widening work environment, the scene received a huge increase. The demand and supply have been developed and is for many of the organizers, musicians and other interested parties not overlookable anymore. There are no labels as copyright holder of VJ work that appear to be protecting these rights and structures the market.

Simultaneously, in recent years, several video websites (YouTube, Vimeo, ..) have been grown. Most providers on these platforms focus however, that users quickly and easily can show a clip to the world. The legal situation for any further use of the clips is not clear, mostly this is even technically prevented. The consumption of the clips and financial interests of the operators are in the fokus, which is not least due out astronomical sums, which accompany takeovers.

As VJs and video artists, like DJs are part of the remix culture, and the share idea now is widespread, there is no way to legally get material, which serves as the basis for their own performance and can be used, as well a platform on which their own clips can be made available under controlled conditions.

Goals

Videopong is specifically designed for VJs and video artists, and offers besides the usual upload options the following advanced options:

  • The download of the unchanged original clip is possible, if the owner allows.
  • The clips are published under Creative Commons licenses, which allow remixing (creativecommons.org).Users can choose between different licensing options.
  • Remixes can be linked to the source clip: Thus, the remix chain keeps visible and understandable
  • Videopong is completely ad-free and works as non-profit organization
  • The direct download of a specially converted Clipformat for VJ tools is possible
  • Users take an active part in the development process.
  • A portable take-away Server (see Glossary) for VJ festivals and events without Internet access that offers the functionality of Videopong locally

Vision

In the near future Videopong has in the VJ and video art community the role of a mediator between VJs and video enthusiasts to share content or even whole VJ sets and video works and to exchange and develop them together. VJs can present themselfes on the public Videopong.net and can profit through clip sales or by orders which have come from Videopong.net. Here Videopong closes the gap between video providers (VJs and video artists) and video-users (event organizers, festivals, clubs, etc.).

Videopong openes the VJs and video artists the opportunity to participate actively in the share and remix culture, without loosing the rights to their own works.

Videopong acts as a curator, be it within the Videopong.net platform itself (Channels, Front Page, etc.) or as a presentation platform at specific locations (take-away server and the kiosk system).

Videopong will be sent to various national and international festivals with the Take-Away Videopong server to support the video artists on the spot as a tool available to their work and also to present their work interactively accessible to the audience.

As broadband Internet connections are increasingly common and available everywhere, a VJ-tool which uses the content directly from the Videopong.net is being built to give VJs a maximum of flexibility.

Glossary

Videopong.net

Videopong itself is a self-developed web application which  can be used and operated in various ways and in different contexts:

  • The online platform for VJs and video artists called videopong.net
  • The portable version which is installed on a portable computer and therfore can be taken at a certain place, is called the portable Videopong Take-Away Server

Portable Videopong Take-Away Server

As portable Videopong Take-Away server we call the physical machine which runs the web application Videopong to use it at locations without or poor Internet connection. So as tool for VJs and video artists that offers the same opportunities as Videopong.net and also Advanced Features which only in a limited context and local computer network work (very fast upload and download, shared network drive, ...).

After the event, the so-prepared content can be integrated in the online version Videopong.net and is also presented in separate channels.

VJ

As a mixture of video art, music, design and the work of a DJ was the VJing (generation of moving images in real time, usually in connection with music - work as a visual jockey, "VJ") end of the 80s. In the meantime it has become an established art form of visual music. Along with an ever more rapid technological development that paved the art from Europe found their way into all sorts of cultures in the world. About its original context, such as clubs, festivals, theater and dance out, now holds the VJing as an installation and performance in public spaces, in exhibitions, galleries and museums increasingly feeder.


The VJ is now an established part of the club culture and extends an audio performance to the visual component.

 

Videokultur

Videokultur is an amalgamation of VJs, mostly active in Switzerland. Videokultur rises the quality of VJing, increase VJs networked together and provides them an environment in which constructive part in joint projects. Videokultur communicates the work of VJs in the public and broadcasters to build partnerships, projects, labels and companies.

The collaboration with partners such as the Shift Festival (Basel), the Copy Festival (Zurich) and others allow the public concerns and to present the work of the members to an interested public.

Videokultur is currently composed of five VJ crews: Bildstörung (ZH, SZ), Kim & Jim (LU), Pixelpunx (AG, LS), Projektil (ZH) and Suffix (LU).

As a label, organizer, platform and network Videokultur did already successful projects since its founding in 2007: The series of events "Electro-Lux", the music television in the club context "Musikvideobar», mobile, 360 °-recordable space «Quadroplex", which Experimental sending format "nebenkanal" and the events for Visual jockeys, "VJ Stammtisch"and "VJ-Camp", where projects presented new concepts are tested and collaborations are established.

Videokultur has been supported by the town of Baden and the Shift festival.

© videopong.net 2009