Media Ecologies
21-26 April 2008, PAF, St Erme, France (FoAM, nadine, OKNO)
Participants: Gert Aertsen, Rasa Alksnyte, Geska Helena Andersson, Ferdinand du Bois, Robert Brecevic, Carole Collet, Alex Davies, Cocky Eek, Trudo Engels, Nik Gaffney, Liz Haines, Pieter Heremans, Loes Jacobs, Shelbatra Jashari, Theun Karelse, Patrick de Koning, Lina Kusaite, Maja Kuzmanovic, Annemie Maes, Sanjeev Shankar, Johannes Taelman, Junior (Albert) Vandebroeck, Olu Vandenbussche, Bart Vandeput, Angelo Vermeulen, Wendy Van Weynsberghe Thanks to: Jan Ritsema/Association PAF, Perrine Bailleux, Antonia-Belica Kubareli, Pieter de Wel, Jura-Anastasia de Wel en Faust de Wel ”[T]here are other things that need doing, and one of these is the development of an imaginary of technology, an understanding of its poetics and a testing manifestation of those poetics in ways that allow us to think and sense through what that technology is.” – Matt Fuller in .x-med-a. Following the path laid out in “Towards an Ecology of Media Ecology” FoAM, Nadine and OKNO concluded the .x-med-k. series with a final workshop in Saint Erme, France. In this workshop, the three organisations explored media and media technologies as an ecosystem, deeply networked. At an isolated location in the Champagne region, participants gathered for a week of workshops, reflection and practical sessions around the themes of networks, collaborative projects and Tech-Nouveau. The workshop took an 'Open Space' approach, in which all participants took an active role in shaping their activities. OKNO was working on building a windmill and crafting a local wireless network. FoAM undertook hands-on experiments with simulated biological systems, feeding them with discussions regarding complexity, whole-systems, patterns, permaculture, biomorphism and biomimetics in physical and simulated lifeforms and ecosystems. Participants were also contributing to collaborative projects regarding public uses of filmic and photographic systems and technologies, guided by Nadine. Media ecologies is a retreat organised by three organisations: Okno, nadine and FoAM (under the watchful eye of the Guild for Reality Integrators and Generators). The workshop took place between the 21st and the 25th of April at the Performing Arts Forum in St. Erme in France. We slept, ate, worked and played on the PAF (www.pa-f.net/) premises. The workshop was designed as a master class where everyone is considered both an expert and a participant. There are no designated workshop 'leaders', as we expected everyone to take on this role, at least when it's required. The retreat aims to inspire and invigorate, through an intense exchange of ideas, techniques and perspectives. Workshop question and sub-topics The overall question for the workshop as a whole is: “How do we develop an imaginary of technology, in which biological, cultural, mechanical or electronic systems interact?” Following from this question, FoAM focused on “what and how we can learn from nature to design more resilient and responsive cultural, poetic and technological systems?” OKNO focused on the networked connections between physical and digital systems. Nadine explored the poetics, aesthetics and politics of audiovisual technologies in public spaces. More: www.flickr.com/groups/736723@N21/pool/ lib.fo.am/media_ecologies_workshop okno.be/?id=1215 |
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