Sirikit Amann has been a part of u19 ever since its inception in 1998. She’s been working in the field of cultural education especially in conjunction with new media on the national and international level since the ‘80s, and has been a curator on behalf of Ars Electronica since 2006. Her projects include “Young Animations,” a collection of animated films created by young filmmakers.
Our go-to guy for interactive applications is Robert Glashüttner. He’s a journalist, author, on-the-air personality and researcher specializing in video game culture and digital life. Since 2002, Robert has been with youth culture-oriented radio station FM4, where he’s editor in charge of information technology, internet policymaking and video game culture.
Martina Sochor was an independent contractor in the advertising industry, all the while discovering her true calling working with young people. In the summer of 2011, she launched UMLAUT M. to produce TV content designed expressly for young people. Its motto: “Medien um laut zu sein” (media to make noise). Since its inception, the organization’s editorial staff—currently numbering 15—has enjoyed ample opportunities to acquire impressive skills and use them to disseminate their views. Martina Sochor describes herself as a mediator whose mission is to enable adults to get to a point at which they can understand how young people see things.
Martin Hollinetz defines himself as Social education worker and teacher, regional developer and passionate advocate of Digital Bohème. A temporary “steady job” in the field of regional development put him in a position to set up OTELOs in the Upper Austrian towns of Gmunden, Vöcklabruck and Kirchdorf. Their areas of emphasis are the creative economy, media, textile art, robotics and exhibition development for kids age 10 and under. Again in 2012 OTELO is partner of Ars Electronica’s u19 – CREATE YOUR WORLD Festival.
Markus Sucher isn’t a newbie at u19 either. In 2005, he won a Golden Nica for a media art project entitled “Rennacs Studies.” Now he’s on the other side of the awards process, deciding with his fellow jurors on who’ll be taking home this year’s honors. Since completing his studies at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, Markus has been working as a visual artist. Since 2006, he has concentrated on producing commercials and music videos (MTV, Pro7,GoTv, Cinema), numerous illustrations, design concepts, art projects as well as feature films.
Which projects and ideas have made the jury really sit up and take notice will be announced in early May at a press conference and on www.u19.at.