Videotext works by Eduardo Kac (1985-1986)
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The videotext system allows users to log on with a remote terminal and
access sequences of pages through regular phone lines. This videotext network
was a precursor to today's Internet and functioned very much like it, with
sites containing information about countless subjects. It also allowed
users to send messages to one another (email). Different countries, such
as UK, France, Japan, Canada, USA and Brazil, implemented different versions
of the videotext concept under their own names. The UK called it Prestel.
The Brazilian system was dubbed Videotexto. In Canada it was known as Telidon.
In the USA the network was named Videotex.
Under the name "Minitel", France implemented a comprehensive videotext
network that was widely used throughout the 1980s. In 1984 Minitel terminals
were distributed to subscribers free of charge, which helped to further
popularize the network. From 1983 to 1994 (the year of the Internet boom),
use of the Minitel grew continuously. In 1995 there were 7 million Minitel
terminals in France. Although most countries no longer use videotext, the
medium is still employed in France. It is also possible to access the Minitel
through the web.
The works listed below were created by Eduardo Kac between 1985 and
1986 with the Brazilian videotext network (which was the same system as
the French "Minitel").
Further reading on videotext
Reabracadabra, 1985 - Videotex animated poem shown in 1985 in the
group exhibition Arte On-Line, a national videotext art gallery presented
by Companhia Telefônica de São Paulo. Please click here
to see stills. See Reabracadabra here. In 2003 Reabracadabra was adapted for cel phones.
Tesão, 1985/86 - Videotext animated poem shown online in the group exhibition Brazil High-Tech (1986), a national videotext art gallery organized by Eduardo Kac and Flavio Ferraz and presented by Companhia Telefônica de São Paulo (in Portuguese). Please click here to see stills.
See Tesão here.
Recaos, 1986 - Videotex animated poem shown in the group exhibition
Brazil High-Tech (1986), a national videotext art gallery organized by
Eduardo Kac and Flavio Ferraz and presented by Companhia Telefônica
de São Paulo (in Portuguese). Please click here
to see a still. See Recaos here.
D/eu/s, 1986 - Videotex animated poem shown in the group exhibition
Brazil High-Tech (1986), a national videotext art gallery organized by
Eduardo Kac and Flavio Ferraz and presented by Companhia Telefônica
de São Paulo (in Portuguese). Please click here
to see a still. See D/eu/s here.
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