With the introduction of the new category “Cybergeneration U19” in 1998, the Prix Ars Electronica entered a new phase of structural stabilization and advancement. This evolutionary step for the Prix did not adapt the grid of categories to accommodate emerging new phenomena, but to include new generations with an open focus towards “freestyle computing”. The category successfully complemented the opportunities the Ars Electronica Center could offer to young visitors and marked a milestone in the involvement of young generations in Ars Electronica. With over 540 submissions, the first Golden Nica of the new category u19 in 1998 as well as the enviable prize of a multimedia Pentium PC and free internet access for a year went to Valerian Wurzer, Michael Mossburger and Florian Nehonsky, eighth year students at the college preparatory school BRG 6, Marchettigasse Vienna, for their project titled TITANIC, a black and white animated short film, which included elements of classic silent movies. Coincidentally, the same year American visual effects supervisor Robert Legato won the Golden Nica in the category “Computer Animation/Visual Effects” for his work on the feature film Titanic, directed by James Cameron.
In our Throwback series, we take a look back at past events, exhibitions, installations and other exciting happenings from the Ars Electronica universe since 1979.