Netochka Nezvanova

From Free net encyclopedia

Netochka Nezvanova is the enigmatic author of [[NATO.0+55+3d]] software, a set of QuickTime externals for Max. The name Netochka Nezvanova, which can be translated roughly as "nameless nobody", is widely believed to be a pseudonym taken from the name of the eponymous title character in Fyodor Dostoevsky's early unfinished novel.

Famous for her temperamental behaviour, exasperated outbursts and unashamed assaults on others in public, Netochka (or nn for short) made her presence felt through public mailing lists such as Rhizome Raw and nettime. There are many folk stories about her being banned from such public forums, and the resulting backlash as she pursued those she believed had wronged her. Some say she terrorised other subscribers, others describe how love was her motivating factor.

There is widespread disagreement over Netochka Nezvanova's identity. She appeared in person at many art festivals throughout the world—few seemed to notice that it wasn't the same person each time. Some artists claim to have even seen her passport, confirming her identity. There were allegations that certain well-known celebrities were behind the fictitious Netochka. To this day, the truth is not generally known, despite Netochka being one of the most important personalities in early 21st century internet art and software art.

On the other hand, Florian Cramer claims that "It is known today that N.N. was a collective international project, with the person who wrote NATO differing from the one who wrote the message [by Netochka Nezvanova] quoted above." - see Words Made Flesh. So, even years after the hype around NN has faded, her identity is in dispute.

She co-won the 2001 artistic software award with Adrian Ward at Transmediale in Berlin, and held the post of Director of Leaves and Petals at the esteemed Dutch Steim Institute.

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