(original article, written approximately 1994) technoRomantics was started in 1989 by Bigtwin, on the suggeston and with the help of friends, namely Susan Goldin, Sam Bruskin, and Didier Cremieux.

The purpose was then, and continues to be, a mechanism for feedback for the participating artists.

Often there is no place for good discussion on this planet, regardless of the topic. In techno-art, discussion groups tend to be "user groups" of a particular program or computer platform. The subtle subordination of the human and the artist inherent in a "user group" is antithetical to the idea of the technoRomantic gatherings.

The original idea was not to have a group, but to make a film out of interviews with artists working with computers/technology to find out how they felt personally and spiritually in their work. But a better idea was that instead of interviews, have a party and invite the people who had been intended for interviewing. There one could get a dynamic from a few people that would be better than just the one on one of an interview, or the artificial nature of videotaping. So, sometime around May or June of '89 the first technoRomantics was held in the loft of Susan Goldin, on 11th street, NYC.

The meetings were then held every 2 to 6 months at the same location, usually having around 8 to 10 people, with a core group and a few guests each time. Eventually attendence became so large as to move the meetings to other spaces, most notably Gargoyle Mechanique on Avenue B. Attendence here was usually at least 30 and sometimes nearing 100, creating problems for coherent discussion and showing of work, but making for some good parties. Currently, meetings are more regularly scheduled, held each equinox and solstice at varying locations around New York City.

UNOFFICIAL LIST OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ATTENDED THESE GATHERINGS
(no affiliation implied by listing here)
Jim Suhre Susan Goldin Didier Cremieux Sam Bruskin Masahiro Kahata David Shih Jaime Levy Kenny Miller Rachael Levinthal Kevin Russell Roz Dimon Ron Martinez Cindy Shapiro Bert Monroy Steve Jones Tim Sweet Zero Boy Fly Orr Karthik Swaminathan Ebon Fisher David Levitt Jon Szinger Nick West Rudy Berkout Tom Ritchford Marianne Petit Jeremy Halpern Laura Clemmons Chere Jalali Jerry Quartley Eric Nadler Coco Conn Peter Wallach Isabelle Sigal Allison De Fren Francois Balmelle Carolynn DiFiore David Sugar Rick Siegal Susan Hammerland Seiko Mikami Sam Dewit Steve Speer Chris Cave Carl Edwards Carl Goodman Robert Curio Jeff Gompertz Owen Bush Dan Green David Brody Kit Blake Heather Wagner Lisa Cavender Tom Beaver Elizabeth Scarborough Marc Scarpa Lewis Umbrellahem Antonio Huneus Lawrence Kaplan Richard Lainhart Damon Torrez Peter Wallach Bob Berger Pete Tronsen

PART 2
1993-2002
(written in 2016)
In September of 1993, bigtwin moved mostly to San Francisco, while keeping a part of an apartment in NYC, There were a few small gatherings held in SF. A couple things/processes happened concurrently during the winter of 1993-94 that changed things. A party advertising itself as a 'Technoromantic' party/meeting, organized by people who had been attendees of the Technoromantic parties, but weren't one of the organizers or originators of the term, created a rift. During this same period, bigtwin was getting increasingly interested in the pyramid of Chichen Itza, and the importance of the Solstice and Equinoxes. Upon returning to full time residence in NYC in May 1994, the next "Technoromantic" party was held on September 20, 1994, advertised as "Equinox." The party format continued to be similar, with art and techno-art discussion, people bringing their work to share, and eventually turning into art parties where people drew, painted or made videos during the party.

The renamed technoromantic parties continued on from 1994 to 2002 as "Equinox" and "Soltice" parties, on or near the days of their namesake. They were held in various locations including the "Collective Unconscious," which was the successor to Gargoyle Mechanique at 28 Avenue B, bigtwin's studio at 17 Greenwich Av., and the loft of Liz Penniman at 49 Bleecker. One memorable party at this loft was on March 20, 1995. The theme to this Equinox was "Would you rather Burn or Freeze?" and included an early mylar installation by Leo Villareal, and a speech/performance by Reverend Billy.

The final party held in this tradition was the Equinox of March 2002.

Some people attending these later parties not mentioned in the earlier list are (again, no affiliation or endorsement implied by listing here) : Leo Villareal Liz Penniman Bill Talen Georgia Rucker Terbo Ted Lorre Powell Karen Ullman Magdalena Sawon Tamas Banovich Jaron Lanier Kaoru Hayashi Olive Newton

I'm sure I have forgotten some. My apologies.