First International Symposium on Electronic Art (FISEA) Held in Utrecht

1988 saw the inception of the ISEA conference, initiated by Theo Hesper and Wim van der Plas in 1986, which materialized as the “FIRST International Symposium on Electronic Art” (FISEA) in 1988. Conceived to establish a network exploring the intersection of art and science, the inaugural symposium unfolded in Utrecht, with satellite activities in Groningen and The Hague. ISEA from this point forward became a crucial platform for digital artists. Subsequent events spanned global locations, including Sydney, Minneapolis and Helsinki. Over time, ISEA evolved into a nomadic event, a distinctive feature shaping its history. The name was coined at FISEA in 1988 and the Inter-Society founded in 1990, laying the foundation for an enduring international platform fostering interdisciplinary discourse and the advancement of electronic art. The symposium’s impact on the development of the digital art from the late ’80s onwards is little-known but huge. Is fusion of academic discourse with creative showcases, facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration and showcased cutting-edge electronic art and technological innovations on a global scale for over three decades.