BUSAN, South Korea, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-Asia/ –

– Became the discussion forum of world renowned game, animation and movie CG specialists
– About 2,600 digital contents professionals and preliminary workers from 15 countries participated in the event

The bureau of ICON2009 (Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency (BIPA), http://www.iconconf.or.kr , President: Gyucheol Kim) announced that it has successfully hosted ICON2009 (International Contents Creator’s Conference) for 2 days from Nov. 26 to 27, in the biggest scale ever for the event.

Celebrating the 3rd year, the theme of this year’s event was “Future Vision of Core Leading Contents of Digital Entertainment Industry.” For the first time, the conference was held in Busan along with G-Star 2009, adding more profundity to the whole event.

Each year, world renowned game, animation and movie CG specialists participate in ICON and present the current trends and the future vision of their technology. In this year’s event, 28 professionals from 8 countries, including the US, China and Japan, and 26 Korean specialists lectured in 45 classes in 4 sessions.

The keynotes included the introduction to Blade & Soul by Jaehyun Bae, the Chief of Development Unit in NC Soft; the presentation on the world gaming industry by Nocolay Nickelsen, the vice president of Funcom, famous for Age of Conan; and the one on the Chinese market by Diana Li, the CEO of Shanda games. Each of these keynotes was hailed by industry followers.

Also, the development know-how and the trailer videos were revealed for the first time ever in the world to draw attention from many enthusiasts. An online game Dragon Ball Online and a Japanese animation Yonayona Penguin were partially revealed by the developers before their official launch in the market.

“In the event, the current trends and the future vision of creating, marketing and developing digital contents were presented, and the Korean professionals and preliminary workers could find information and hope for moving one step ahead of their current position,” said BIPA, the organizer of this conference.

Increased by 38% from last year, 2,596 people from 15 countries worldwide participated in this year’s event, which was far more developed both in quality and in quantity. Also, it is expected to play a large part in creating a new image for Busan as a world-class city specializing in digital contents.

    Contact

     Jungwon Yoon
     Tel:   +82-51-749-9432
     Email: gardeny@busanit.or.kr

SOURCE BUSAN IT Industry Promotion Agency

A theme throughout “Holidays on Display” is the evocation of the holiday spirit and the opportunities for self-expression such projects allowed. The exhibition focuses on the craftsmanship and creative effort involved in holiday displays and the memories they created. “Holidays on Display” examines the subject from the viewpoints of artists, producers and the public for whom the displays were made. For many Americans, department-store displays stand out as an enjoyable memory and an integral component of civic, social life.

“Holidays on Display” showcases numerous photographs, postcards and illustrations of parade floats — including examples from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade — and window displays from stores such as Marshall Field and Co. and John Wanamaker’s. Featured objects related to the early creation of these displays include prop stars, illustrated children’s storybook souvenirs, a paper novelty toy chest with miniature merchandise and an animated seal figure that balances a ball on its nose. The exhibition is made possible with support from Macy’s and will be on display through September 2010.

“Holiday celebrations with their festive parades and animated window displays have always had a place in American history,” said Brent D. Glass, museum director. “This exhibition looks closer at these commercial displays to understand the emotional responses evoked by them and why they hold such treasured memories for many people.”

The exhibition delves into two primary areas of holiday visuals–parades and department-store retail display. Historically, the parade float and retail display were made by the same companies and shared common construction materials and techniques.

The first section examines parade floats in the early 20th century, which typically spotlighted workers and manufacturing by heralding a product, whether coal or toys. By the 1920s, the themes were shifting to consumer-oriented fantasies of home and community life. Innovations such as the parade-float kit democratized access to artistic design, and new material such as floral sheeting (originally made of tissue paper and later vinyl), large helium balloons and various mechanizations elevated the parade float to today’s custom-made creations.

In the exhibit, an archway modeled on an artist’s rendering for a toy department display leads visitors to the second part of “Holidays on Display,” which explores the history of department-store theme settings. These displays were most impressive during the Christmas season, when they provided a rewarding visual that created emotional bonds between the store and shoppers. Even today, the “storybook style” of the 1920s’ holiday display, noted for its village scenes and walk-through attractions, remains popular as the visual announcement of Christmas.

A companion book, “Holidays on Display” by William L. Bird Jr., is a comprehensive overview of the art and industry of the holiday display. Published by the Smithsonian in association with Princeton Architectural Press, the book is available for sale in the museum’s shops.

The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. The museum shines new light on American history after having been dramatically transformed by a two-year renovation. To learn more about the museum, visit http://americanhistory.si.edu. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000, (202) 633-5285 (TTY).

SOURCE Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

A patch/hatchet job to make up for years of fundamental neglect.

The 3 Amigos: Carr, Iemma, Costa.

Neglect under Bob Carr (especially), Morris Iemma & on to Nathan Rees.OK, Nathan hasn’t had a chance yet.

A special word goes to the spectacularly self-aggrandising Michael Costa. Costa managed to leave fingerprints 3 inches deep on several disastrous portfolios.

Infrastructure.

In an economic & property boom, no funding was spent on:

1) Transport

2) Schools

3) Infrastructure

4) Urban Planning

5) Roads

6) Energy infrastructure.

Wasted opportunity.

Property Developers.

Instead, the whole process was outsourced to private sector, property developers.

The NSW State Government were warned by their own public service, about this.

I worked for the NSW State government & professionally heard incidents that made me cringe in NSW. I won’t speak about specifics.

In general, the public service system is politicised, privatised and ideologically broken.

There are frustrated intelligent individuals. But I can say the system they work in is grindingly inefficient. It kills innovation.

T actually be competent inside the NSW system is in many departments is unrewarding. Sometimes, impossible.

Ahoy, HMAS NSW.

Good people in Government don’t rock the boat.

And this boat is a sinking ship.

Fortunately, Sydney hit rock bottom in 2006 & 2007, and is now in the nascent stage of rebuilding.

The key issue is ethics. The government is focussed on personal interest, and money; not on the long-term good of the State. NSW could do with a few good Catholic Democrats.

And less left-wing atheist capitalists, who have no faith in their own ideology of the Left.

But as usual, recovery will require local innovation.

The NSW government don’t deserve their jobs.  They are good for nothing.

If there was a case for oversight of politicians, this is it.

Do you live in NSW? Have you seen it’s recent decline… ?

Most Australian small airports are superior to most North American small airports. Although in larger airport terms, Boston’s Logan or SFO are superior to the large Sydney airport most international visitors experience.

One of Australia’s great smaller airports is the comfortable, practical Adelaide airport.

With crisp clean design lines, comfortable seating, work desk areas for non-lounge members and a good choice of food and shopping, Adelaide airport does it well.

Lounges at Adelaide

The Adelaide Qantas Lounge (for oneworld frequent flyers) has a comfortable feel, a great series of computer stations, and amenities that North Americans would die for.

On the inside of the gates, the no-fuss yet thorough security, and the ease of access to the CBD, make Adelaide a great hub to transit through.

For you international visitors, however if I was to visit Adelaide, I would spend less time in the city, and more time in the numerous food and wine regions surrounding the centre.

Marvellous McLaren Vale, the Clare Valley or Barossa await.

My favorite olives I had in the world (to date) I had with some of the best fetta cheese, in McLaren Vale local restaurant, Awganix.

Stay overnight, grab a hire car or taxi from the airport there, and stay in a food & wine region. Taxis are not expensive, and a price guide can be had from tourist information.

On the Return, back to the uncrowded Lounge

When you come back, make sure to get a pass through any oneworld frequent flyer scheme or a lounge pass international card, and get into the Qantas Lounge.

Whilst there enjoy either breakfast or a comfortable buffet, with better amenities than any American lounge, as well as a drink or two.

Also, wireless internet is free inside the lounge, as are domestic fixed line phone calls.

Links Between Tourism & Airport Policy

The Federal government and Australian airlines need to support regions, by a policy of routing less flights through Sydney, Australia’s busiest airport, and more through Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane or Cairns.

Adelaide is under-utilised and a decision needs to be taken to route more people through this airport, and promote Australia’s food regions abroad.

Australia’s food regions will get people to Australia, flippant advertising campaigns stuck in the 1980s with offensive tag lines will not!

Enjoy Adelaide, and try routing your next international flight direct to Adelaide, and spend your first few days in Australia in a food and wine region.

Berlin is building a Ferris Wheel, Europe’s highest in fact.

Melbourne is building a Ferris Wheel, as a landmark at new district Docklands. Opening next year.

Singapore is building a huge wheel, and Beijing started last year

The City Ferris Wheel Fad

When each city is doing the same thing, and London has already done it, it is not a unique phenomenon. It can’t express what is inside your city’s soul.

Sure it is a money-spinner for London, and it does offer a stand-out skyline image. But for the same money and effort, could not something more permanent and meaningful be created for each city?

Unique Brand of the City

The 2thinknow view, is that each city has a unique essence, that needs to be brought out. The city succeeds when it’s brand is expressed in a way that at that time there is a demand for the brand of that city.

I know each city would like it’s own landmark, but they should be unique to the city.

So with that said, here are 5 City brands, instantly recognizable worldwide.

City Brand Paris

The Eiffel tower means Paris. Grand, over-reaching, central, powerful, strong yet melancholy.

City Brand Sydney

The Harbour Bridge means Sydney. Sunny, optimistic, always on the water, always partying.

3 Other City Brands

The Brooklyn Bridge, Chrysler Building, Empire State, Woolworths building mean New York. Multicultural, multi-style, multi-epoque. And every person worldwide (well, almost) recognizes the I ? NY logo. Every ironic use, or skyscraper reinforces the New York brand, a point raised in the comments to Ezra Kleins post.

The twin-spired Cathedral means Cologne, Germany.

Berlin is the Space Needle-esque ‘Fernsehturm’, television tower.

City Branding, a rising phenomenon

As cities become brands, and instant branding becomes important, cities with unique landmarks that capture the greatness of a city will become more valuable.

Not more Ferris Wheels, but unique landmarks encapsulating a city’s essence.

For Melbourne, it is the trams and conductors, if they were brought back, perhaps!

Not a Ferris Wheel.

What do you think?

What landmark does or doesn’t capture your city? What would you like to see? Or do you love your city’s Ferris Wheel?

Write us your thoughts short or long below…