FoAM - splinterfields

Splinterfields: Mathematickal Arts

maja — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:59:43 +0000

Start: 2011-07-23 10:00 GMT+2

End: 2011-07-25 19:00 GMT+2

What: Mathematics, Textiles & Computer Programming workshop
When: 23rd - 25th of July 2011
Where: FoAM, Koolmijnenkaai 30-34, 1080 Brussels, Belgium

Mathematician & machine artist Tim Boykett (Time's Up, AT) and textile designer & educator Carole Collet (Central Saint Martin's, UK) will lead a 3 day workshop bringing together The Arts of Mathematics, Textiles and Computer Programming.

Mathematickal Arts workshop investigates the tangible, abstract and conceptual threads binding materials and machines in a series of practical and theoretical experiments. Participants will use knots, weaving, sorting algorithms, notation and geometry to explore unfamiliar territories of mathematics or crafts using familiar practices of artistic and technological experimentation.

"To me the simple act of tying a knot is an adventure in unlimited space. A bit of string affords the dimensional latitude that is unique among the entities [...] another dimension is added which provides an opportunity that is limited only by the scope of our own imagery and the length of a ropemakers coil."
--Clifford W Ashley, The Book of Knots.

In progress: http://lib.fo.am/mathematickal_arts_2011

This workshop is a part of Resilients (http://x4.fo.am/resilients) and Splinterfields (http://x4.fo.am/splinterfields)

With the support of the Culture Programme (2007 - 2013) of the European Union and the Flemish Authorities.

Splinterfields: Electromagnetickal Arts

christina — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:05:32 +0000

Start: 2010-12-10 15:05 Europe/Brussels

End: 2010-12-12 19:00 Europe/Brussels

Interference-free Foraging Mobility in Brussels
on Electromagnetism, Psychogeophysics and Urban Beekeeping

Electromagnetic fields can have adverse effects on living organisms - honeybees are especially sensitive.

Although urban environments provide beneficial habitats for bee colonies, the electromagnetic field concentrations can disturb the bees' orientation and communication capabilities. To assist city bees with this issue, participants can work on an interference free foraging map.

Detectors for both high and low electromagnetic frequencies can steer through gradients of signal intensity. Detailed contour maps can be constructed using DIY equipment during city walks, visualizing the situation across diverse city locales. Simple experiments provide insights into complex wave interactions; offering a view of "spectral ecologies" and their relation to visible architecture and habitats.

Participants get an intro to the social behavior of honeybees, and their communication, hive structures and materials used in beekeeping, as well as work on construction plans and new designs for DIY tools for electromagnetic field visualizations during expeditions to the city of Brussels.

Get inspired for a new series of Brussels postcards and an interference free foraging map for Brussels honeybees.

Aims of the workshop: understanding electromagnetic waves and gaining a feel for their complex interactions in the city and their impact on living systems. Exploring the possibility of making the "invisible" fields and their subtle changes over time and space both visible and audible. Exploration of electromagnetic fields in Brussels. Basic understanding of honeybees and working with beekeeping materials.

Martin Howse and Christina Stadlbauer
Friday, 10th of December, 15:00-19:00
Saturday, 11th of December, 10:00-19:00
Sunday, 12th of December, 10:00-19:00
max 12 participants

Images from the workshop:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/foam/sets/72157625582022890/with/5254352478...

Splinterfields : re/touches

maja — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:03:11 +0000

Start: 2010-12-17 14:00 Europe/Brussels

End: 2010-12-19 00:00 Europe/Brussels

workshop organised by Constant

In the weekend of the 17th-19th of December we will look at the act of repairing. We focus on textile and clothing, looking how something is woven, stitched together, consisting of threads and layers, and how these structures break, wear and tear with a body inside.

The Friday afternoon from 14 to 17h Abla who works as a volunteer in the Vaartkapoen repair and retouche atelier (http://www.vaartkapoen.be/socecnaai.htm) will show us the work they do. She will also show a technique for repairing.

In the weekend we will alternate looking at this wear and tear, share stories, exhibit images... If you want to enroll and for more details on this programme
please contact: wendy [attt] constantvzw.org

Repairing requires an understanding of the item you want to work on. How far would you go in repairing coveted item of clothing? What parts of clothes are fragile? Where does an item of clothing wear and tear? what are fragile points? What is the relationship with your body and your activity?

Repairing prolongs the life of a manufactured item, something not really stimulated in these times of fast consumption. This workshop is meant to let us learn repairing techniques from each other coming together is a way of transmitting knowledge. Techniques which were previously more taught in a family context, because clothes were rare thus making them precious because. We would like to talk about this subject and work together. Bring your favourite reparations How did you learn to repair? Do you have favourite methods? Did you learn specific techniques for particular items of clothing?

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipe...

images:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/foam/sets/72157625897643550/

— -

Splinter Fields is an initiative of Brussels based organizations active within the fields of technological and media arts (Constant, FoAM, nadine and OKNO) to foster collaborative, agile and flexible learning. The programme of workshops, study-groups and field-tests is open to artists, designers, technologists and other generalists curious to explore tools and mindware for experiments in contemporary culture and daily life.

splinterfields

nik — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:15:07 +0000

Splinterfields is an initiative of several Brussels based organizations active within the fields of technological and media arts (Constant, FoAM, nadine and OKNO) to foster collaborative, agile and flexible learning. The programme of workshops, study-groups and field-tests is open to artists, designers, technologists and other generalists curious to explore tools and mindware for experiments in contemporary culture and daily life.

Bend, sew, touch, feel, read

nik — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:24:33 +0000

Start: 2009-07-25 10:00 GMT+2

End: 2009-07-26 18:00 GMT+2

http://www.kobakant.at

To explore the possibilities of bringing electronics closer to bodies and plants we are organizing a workshop with the artists Hannah Perner-Wilson and Mika Satomi in which you will learn how to use textiles and electronics to interact with humans and plants.

Human bodies and plants are not rigid, but flexible, soft and pliant. Computers, keyboards, mice and peripherals, all rigid, fixed, made from plastic or metal, will be objects for surgery in order to salvage parts that can made flexible. Activities could range from building gigantic felt push buttons, to obtaining information on how a leaf turns towards the sun, to integrating electronics into clothing.

We will work with conductive and resistive textile, arduino and all manner of electronic components.

Maximum amount of participants: 12 Please send an example of what you are currently working on and towards what you would like to work to wendy*at*constantvzw.org

Mika Satomi and Hannah Perner-Wilson:

Our collaborations explore the realm of wearable technology as a medium for commenting on technological and social aspects. Throughout our projects we are conscious of wearability and functionality. We believe in the spirit of humoring technology and a twisted criticism toward the stereotypes it creates. For us, technology is to be hacked, DIYed and modified by everyone to fit our needs and desires.

Mika Satomi is originally from Japan, currently based in Linz, Austria. Her current interest leads her to explore the concept of an urban body extension in the realm of wearable technology. http://www.nerding.at

Hannah Perner-Wilson studied Industrial Design and Interface Cultures at the Art University in Linz, Austria. She enjoys breaking technologies down to a basic level, from which she is able to develop her own interaction solutions and scenarios. http://www.plusea.at