In 1984, Apple introduced the Macintosh home computer. In a million dollar, one time only advertisement directed by Ridley Scott and broadcast during the Super bowl, Apple promised a new era of personal freedom through technology. 21 years later, and half way across the world, relics and technology from the era are inspiring some surprising activity.

A world-renowned nation of early adopters New Zealand has always been quick to uptake international technology trends. The influence of this enthusiasm is reflected in C:DOS/RUN where poetry, filmmaking, music and award-winning visual art sit alongside arcade-style games, 3D posters and a Nintendo power glove.In 1984, Apple introduced the Macintosh home computer. In a million dollar, one time only advertisement directed by Ridley Scott and broadcast during the Super bowl, Apple promised a new era of personal freedom through technology. 21 years later, and half way across the world, relics and technology from the era are inspiring some surprising activity.

A world-renowned nation of early adopters New Zealand has always been quick to uptake international technology trends. The influence of this enthusiasm is reflected in C:DOS/RUN where poetry, filmmaking, music and award-winning visual art sit alongside arcade-style games, 3D posters and a Nintendo power glove.In an exciting development and a popular move with staff, the Film Archive proudly presents the world premiere of Jaspers Journey's.

Lexaloffle Games Ltd is a Wellington based video game development company. Founders John and Joseph White have spent 9 years making Jasper's Journeys, Jasper is an elf, who travels through magic lands in search of his stolen cat. Where most contemporary game companies are driven towards creating ever more 'virtual' representations of mortality and the physical world, Lexaloffle's work is closer in spirit to the arcade games of the 1980's. Despite this Lexaloffle games demand skill and concentration; Jasper's Journey's takes most players months to complete. Come in buy a coffee and give it your best shot.

Again focusing on local technology, Poly's Concept (1984) is a film demonstrating the remarkable Poly computer, a networked machine designed to deliver lessons and resources to New Zealand schools. Designed by computer scientists at Massey University it was a commercial failure but its innovations in reliability and usefulness were ahead of it's time.

Stephen McGregor's ZX Spectrum, recites a piece from Louis Johnson's 'Four Poems form the Strontium Age' - a post nuclear musing on what the earth might've looked like to those pre-holocaust beings...

And for those of an aural persuasion a selection of CD's featuring original compositions created on hand-held Gameboy machines will be available on a listening post, and in a special one night performance The Film Archive will also present a live performance by local electronic musician Disasteradio, whose music is created entirely on early 80's personal computers. Disasteradio will be supported by EMU.

C:/DOS/RUN - Remembering the 80's computer
At the Film Archive Mediaplex
Cnr Taranaki and Ghuznee Streets
From 9am Monday - Friday
From 12pm Saturdays

C:/DOS/DANCE - with Diasateradio and Emu
Thursday 22 September 7pm
Admission $8 Concession $6