Urban Dialogues© is a group of nine artists from different cities and cultures, experimenting with collaborations which bridge their global diversity and artistic similarities.

The group examines the complex interactions between artists, cultures, nature, urban interventions, cities, and technology, via photography, digital art and video, capturing the contradictions and analogies of our individual and collective histories, reflecting today's new era of global engagement. UD artists all met via an artist social networking website, came together and virtually exchange photos of their cities and art. The collaborative artworks are hybrids of each artists' unique vision, time and place.

Never before in human history have we faced so many rapid changes in technology and lifestyles. Our world and our lives are becoming more and more global, complex and interdependent. Current day technologies are creating a world with very different boundaries, bringing those from distant shores closer together. At the same time, everything is very fragmented and we feel disconnected. In the middle of the crowded streets, or in an art studio, one can feel isolated.

"Urban Dialogues©" is questioning the nature of artistic practices in today's digital age: is art made by the sole artist alone in their studio or can collaborative works push us to new heights?

 
Urban Dialogues© video developed by Frie J. Jacobs for the exhibition ¡°DIFFERENCES?/SIMILARITIES!¡± at the Exhibition Center De Bij,l Belgium

"Urban Dialogues is not trying to make beautiful pictures/photos, but to create new inter-actions that provoke spectators to look at their work multiple times. The work reveals itself upon repeated visits. It makes the viewers think deeply about the world that surrounds them, offering and asking for contemplation."

Kris Rotsaertk, KR-Line Photo Art Gallery
http://www.kr-line.com