Aksioma – Institute for Contemporary Art, Ljubljana, in collaboration with NOME and the Disruption Network Lab, presents:

Cirkulacija2 et al.
Access to Tools

PERFORMATIVE FAIR

Cirkulacija2
Tobačna 5, Ljubljana

9 February 2016, from 16:00 to 23:00

Featuring: Borut Savski, Stefan Doepner, Boštjan Leskovšek, Dominik Mahnič, Boštjan Čadež, Nataša Mušević, Robertina Šebjanič (SI), the Radiona Collective (HR), Paula Pin (ES) and Dmitriy Morozov (RU).
 

"Instead of optimizing our machines for humanity, we are optimizing humans for machinery."
-- Douglas Rushkoff
 

Access to tools and knowledge that new communication technologies will bring about was at the root of what the techno-hippies of the 70s were declaring. Half a century later the reality is not quite such. People have been reduced to mere users of “user friendly” technologies – technologies to be used and not understood. Appropriating, dismantling and creatively reinventing these “tools” is the only way to resist their biases, and ultimately to understand them. Open source-code is the key to knowledge and the unlocking of technologies.

The Access to Tools Fair is dedicated to exploring how technologies create new forms of social dialogue. The fair is a new media art and performative event inspired by AND Fair (a concept developed by Abandon Normal Devices during their 2013 Festival in Liverpool) where, much like the World Fairs of old, inventors could showcase new inventions and discoveries. Inspired by this Aksioma devised a “Device Based Fair / Event,” a Temporary Autonomous Zone where experimental products (goods?) are exhibited and exchanged, new relationships are established, and audiences learn from the creators and are introduced to new products.

Artworks and technology will be on display at several stands, and visitors will be able to experiment and interact with them. The authors will be available at all times for explanations, help, demonstrations, consultancy and knowledge exchange, and they might even try to demystify and open up the black box of technology.

The event is in conjunction with AND Fair Rijeka, that will happen on 5–6 February 2016 at Filodrammatica gallery in Rijeka, organized by Drugo more (HR) in collaboration with Aksioma and Abandon Normal Devices (UK).
 

Production:

Aksioma – Institute for Contemporary Art, Ljubljana, 2016

Artistic director: Janez Janša
Producer: Marcela Okretič
Executive producer: Sonja Grdina
Documentation: Katra Petriček
Public relations: Urša Pukart

Organization and programme selection:



Partners: Drugo more (HR), Abandon Normal Devices (UK)

Event realized in the framework of Masters & Servers, a joint project by Aksioma (SI), Drugo more (HR), AND (UK), Link Art Center (IT) and d-i-n-a / The Influencers (ES).



This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Supported by: the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia and the Municipality of Ljubljana.




CONTACT
Aksioma | Institute for Contemporary Art, Ljubljana
 

 

Programme

16:00 - 20:00 individual presentations by participants and "Synthomir" workshop

21:00 - 23:00 Performance Jam with guests
 
Synthomir workshop
Igor Brkić, Damir Prizmić (Radiona, Zagreb)
 
Synthomir is an 8-bit synthesiser based on an ATmega microcontroller and is compatible with the Arduino development environment. The Mozzi Library is used for sound synthesis. Synthomir has three ways of working: rhythm machine (with loop mode), bass and theremin modes. The basic user interface consists of just three elements (potentiometer, photo-resistor and keyboard); future upgrades and modifications of the interface are planned and enabled. The Synthomir synthesiser was thought out as a DIY electronic kit for assembly and was part of the research that Radiona.org carried out during 2014 with the support of the Kultura Nova Foundation. Synthomir is completely open source: code, schematic and all files for the making of the electronic boards are freely available. Igor Brkić did the electronic schematic and the sound concept for Synthomir, while Damir Prizmić designed the electronic boards and proposed the visual concept.

The authors have to date exhibited the synthesiser at the Sound Hybrid –Creative Sonology exhibition in the Technical Museum in Zagreb and at the international exhibition WonderLab in the Museum of Contemporary Art of Vojvodina, as well as within the program of Music Tech Fest in Ljubljana, Device_art 5.015 and KLFM program at Split Art Academy. MORE...

During the workshop, which will last 4 to 5 hours, participants will assemble their own Synthomir.

The number of participants is limited, please apply to sonjagrdina@gmail.com
 
Cirkulacija²
 
Cirkulacija² is an artists’ initiative based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The name originates from the hall that we are currently squatting – the heating station at former bicycle factory Rog. The name nicely points to the principles that we try to elaborate through our collective work: the principles of evolving our production through series of projects – and try to point out to the procesual nature of artists’ work. We are mainly working in technologic areas, which involves media approaches in art (radio, television, video,…robots, mechanisms, devices,…). And as a glue – the demand for intelligent social behavior. The main core of Cirkulacija 2 are: Borut Savski, Boštjan Leskovšek and Stefan Doepner. MORE...