Digital Inter/Section (DI/S) project brought together a consortium of 5 organizations across Europe to explore new business models. We’re reflecting on this collaborative project with Co-director of CHRONIQUES, Céline Berthoumieux.
Meet Céline Berthoumieux, a vibrant force in the world of hybrid arts and digital culture. As the co-director of CHRONIQUES, Céline Berthoumieux juggles multiple hats. She’s also the Director of ZINC, an innovative creative hub in Marseille, and the President of the national HACNUM network. “We need to be able to support public cultural policies in this abundance of creativity,” she shares with passion.
,the Digital Inter/Section partner that she represents, is a major international festival that dives into new aesthetics and imaginative realms, perfectly capturing human’s love-hate relationship with technology. With its roots in both Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, this human-powered organization is quite a chameleon—acting as a biennale, platform, network, and label all rolled into one.
The CHRONIQUES team were the force behind the creation of the Digital InterSection Consortium, as collaborative projects are the name of the game here. "CHRONIQUES, born from the merger of two nonprofits, thrives on cooperative DNA, allowing us to experiment with innovative approaches to sustainability and economic development over the past decade”, explains Céline Berthoumieux. "By identifying shared challenges and dynamics in different European regions, we saw an opportunity to address these issues more effectively through collaborative projects. Our heterogeneous partners, with their complementary backgrounds, enrich our efforts. In different EU countries, cultural business models and funding approaches vary significantly. We wanted to tackle these issues from multiple angles, harnessing collective intelligence to find more comprehensive solutions". Indeed, a collaborative spirit is inherent to the digital art sector, with organizations eager to forge new partnerships and constellations of cooperation, and artists often working in transdisciplinary teams.
Thanks to this collaborative energy and the growing role of digital technology in shaping the future of work and society, this ecosystem has a unique potential. However, it also faces its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to creating and sharing digital art. With 20 years of experience working with artists and creators, Céline Berthoumieux and her team have a keen understanding of these dynamics. Therefore, as part of Digital Inter/Section they decided to develop Marché des Imaginaires Numériques (Market of Digital Imaginaries), “It is an international market for creatives. It brings together people from distribution, production, creation, business, heritage, and development from around the world. Four continents, hundreds of professionals, and endless possibilities!"
“As pioneers in France, we understand that creatives need comprehensive guidance from mentors throughout the entire lifecycle of a project—from development to distribution. This holistic support is crucial, especially since discussing financial aspects in the culture sector can often be challenging”.
More opportunities for creatives and industry professionals to collaborate, alongside ensuring the ongoing evolution of the future of digital art, are only some of the goals set by CHRONIQUES as they expand and enhance the Marché des Imaginaires Numériques.
We’re looking forward to seeing how this project unfolds and can benefit the entire ecosystem. If you are interested in updates on this endeavor, please follow the Digital InterSection LinkedIn profile.
is a visionary leader in the realm of hybrid arts and digital culture. As the Director of ZINC, an innovative incubator and creative hub in Marseille, and the President of the national HACNUM network, she champions the fusion of digital arts and cultures. Céline Berthoumieux co-directs CHRONIQUES, the Digital Imaginations Biennial, a significant event that brings regional and international attention to the pioneering work of ZINC and Seconde Nature in Aix.