Hackateria: Biolectronix for Artists

Dates: 8, 9, 10, 12 March 2011 Location: Pajasali, Suomenlinna

'Biolectronix for Artists' is built around the central Hackteria idea of bringing scientific apparatus and protocol into the sphere of art, electronics hacking and open source environments. The workshop is an experimental maker-workshop with multilayered outcome for people interested in DIY-biology, microscopy and simple technological interaction with living microorganisms for example through sound. Participants will become involved in sourcing and isolating microorganisms from the environment and develop open hardware and software environments with which these organisms can be both viewed and become the subjects for simple interactions. A primary aim of the activity is to demonstrate that scientific/artistic experimentation can take place within the DIY and open source domains, and that biology and custom made electronics and software can be friends. The workshop is an experimental maker-workshop with multilayered outcome for people interested in DIY-biology, microscopy and simple technological interaction with living microorganisms for example through sound. Participants will become involved in sourcing and isolating microorganisms from the environment and develop open hardware and software environments with which these organisms can be both viewed and become the subjects for simple interactions. A primary aim of the activity is to demonstrate that scientific/artistic experimentation can take place within the DIY and open source domains, and that biology and custom made electronics and software can be friends. The workshop is lead by Marc R. Dusseiller and Andy Gracie. It is organised in collaboration with the Finnish Bioart Society www.bioartsociety.fi. Andy Gracie is an artist working between various disciplines including installation, robotics, sound, video and biological practice. The work he produces is situated between the arts and the sciences, creating situations of exchange between natural and artificial systems which allow new emergent behaviours to develop. Marc R. Dusseiller is a transdisciplinary scholar, lecturer for Micro- and Nanotechnology and artist. He works in an integral way to combine science, art and education. He performs DIY-workshops in lo-fi electronics, music and robotics, has made various short movies and is currently developing means to perform biological science (mammalian cell culture, microfluidics, live-microscopy) in a DIY fashion in your kitchen or your atelier. Workshop schedule Day 1 introduction and overview microscopy and scale overview webcam hacking and microscope building Day 2 urban micro_walk / collection of microorganisms set-ups for extraction and isolation of organisms improve the microscope / leds, motors and sensors Day 3 designing and building bioelectronix devices investigation of samples collected Bio-Arduino / controlling bioelectronix device observation of organisms and bio-hacking Day 4 introduction to Pd for microscopy (if necessary) bio2sound and sound2bio communication finalising microscopes and devices brainstorming concepts for installations/performances – optional presentation More information about Hackteria: www.hackteria.org >> THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR HACKTERIA WORKSHOP WAS 14 JANUARY >> THE WORKSHOP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED