*** FLASH NEWS ******

you can buy Hamster Sqauredance T-shirt now... Check:
endemicworld.com/NZ_Brands/Kookoo.htm

*** NEWS ******

- Hamster Squaredance is featured in Threaded Magazine, issue #07 ( threaded.co.nz/ )

- Hamster Squaredance was exhibited at Chaumont Festival in Chaumont, France. A big thank you to Étienne Mineur ( my-os.net/blog/ or codesource.cc )
It was hold from May 16th to June 14th, 2009.

- Hamster Squaredance is part of the special programme of animation which will take place on the days of the XIX "Message to Man" International Film Festival, June 15-22, St Petersburg, Russia
( message-to-man.spb.ru )

- Hamster Squaredance is featured in ProDesign Magazine, issue #101
( agm.co.nz/index.html?category=25&id=21 )

- Hamster Squaredance will be presented at Pecha Kucha, in Auckland, New Zealand.
It will be on August 5th (NEW DATE, previously July 1st), 2009.

- Hamster Squaredance has been selected to be presented in FILE Hipersonica Screening that will be part of the exhibition FILE 2009 - Electronic Language International Festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
It will be hold from July 27th to August 30th, 2009. ( file.org.br/ )

******************
"Hamster Squaredance" music video is the result of an Auckland based French / German / New Zealand collaboration. It is an exercise in reflecting on today’s communities in relation to emerging technologies by creating a playful approach of story-telling: Helmut, the hamster, is chased by various protagonists…

The framework of "Hamster Squaredance" explores an aesthetic and conceptual relationship of rhythm and narrative by developing a new visual approach for displaying on small screens, mainly iPHONE. Furthermore "Hamster Squaredance" explores a new narrative structure (short-duration, screen limitations, narrative synchronised with music) and reinterprets the aesthetics of computer game industry from the early 80s into nowadays trend. While using basic, modular and simple graphics, which denote the early stage of computer development and its graphics, it develops yet highly crafted visuals, using the most advantageous elements of photography, illustrations and mix-media technique.

"Hamster Squaredance" is also an interactive music video that uses mobile technology such as QR ("Quick Response" bar codes that can be read by mobile phones) embedded into an animation. In Asia and Europe mobile tagging is now gaining traction: mobile tagging connects static information carriers with the Internet and encourages the interactive behaviour of the user however, the future success will go beyond simply linking to URL's. Aiming for absolute convergence between information media, "Hamster Squaredance" objective is to extend the primary function of mobile tagging: the viewer/audience is encouraged to interact with others to enhance the notion of community rather than simply being directed on a website (URL connection via QR).

Lastly, humour is a key factor in "Hamster Squaredance" in order to generate emotion from the audience via Helmut’s journey. It aims to inspire a new genre of music video for the future generation.

Further information about Patricia & James:
vimeo.com/burgetsmaier
mrhayday.com/