V2_ Newsletter November 2014 www.v2.nl
In November there’s no less than three Blowup events at V2_. On 6 and 7 November there is a two day extravaganza on new materials and new methods – including a workshop. On 27 November we have invited a variety of non-expert experts to bring hidden knowledge to light. If that’s not enough, we present two new printed books, and there is an exciting collaboration with Dutch artist Renzo Martens and the Institute for Human Activities. Blowup: New Materials, New Methods 6 & 7 November 2014 20:00–22:00h V2_ Institute for the Unstable Media, Rotterdam v2.nl/events/blowup-new-material-new-methods v2.nl/events/blowup-new-materials-new-methods-day-ii V2_'s research into Innovation in Extreme Scenarios was inspired by the amazing but true story of Geoffrey Pyke and his dream to build an aircraft carrier made of a special kind of ice that he had invented. Pyke was widely acknowledged as an eccentric but brilliant innovator who contributed to many aspects of society. The British Security Service (MI5) has recently declassified a treasure trove of information about Pyke and his contributions to the Allies' efforts in WWII. British writer Henry Hemming has written a new biography of Pyke based on these new revelations. In researching this book, Hemming discovered evidence of a method for innovation that Pyke followed, and it is this method we will explore in a workshop on ‘How to Pyke’. As part of the workshop you will also hear about the contemporary uses for this intriguing material, from team members who made the Pykrete Dome (the world's largest ice dome) possible. On November 7, on the second day of the Blowup: New Materials, New Methods, you will hear brief talks reflecting on innovation, art and science, and the role of new materials: a massive ship made of ice was the dream of the forties, what is the impossible dream for new materials today? Featuring a live stage interview with renowned Dutch artists Driessens & Verstappen by Boukje Cnossen, insights into the innovative practices of Superuse Studios by their Head of Research Jan Jongert, and a re-enactment of a lecture on the divide between art and science by C.P. Snow, played by Giles Lane. Contributors: Henry Hemming | Pykrete Dome team | Driessens & Verstappen | Boukje Cnossen | Jan Jongert | Giles Lane (as C.P. Snow). Attendance is free, but spaces for the workshop (6 November) are limited and registration is required. Henry Hemming is the workshop leader, coming to V2_ fresh from running a highly successful workshop on similar themes at MIT Media Lab. It will be a fun evening which will also bring a lot of insight into new ways of looking at your own professional practice and how you can be more innovative using sometimes unconventional techniques. To secure your place send an email to Michelle Kasprzak: m...@v2.nl Blowup: Non-Expert Experts 27 November 2014 20:00–22:00h V2_ Institute for the Unstable Media, Rotterdam v2.nl/events/blowup-non-expert-experts The same small circle of experts circulate on the world's conference stages... but what of all the specialist knowledge under our noses? Who are the unacknowledged experts in our midst? The maker movement has done a good job of uncovering hidden technological talents, but which other domains are developing innovative techniques with possible wider impacts? With artist Melle Smets, researcher Cynthia Hathaway, and the collaboration of the Open Design students at the Willem de Kooning Academy, V2_ has been on a hunt for the most interesting 'non-expert experts' in the Netherlands. At this event, we will hear from a wide range of unsung experts in several divergent areas: from giant vegetable growers and their 500 kg pumpkins to natural weightlifters lifting twice their body weight, and anything else you can imagine. The aim is to bring hidden knowledge to light, and to reveal the surprising techniques, motivations, and results that our experts achieve. V2_ Presents two new Books Two printed books are forthcoming from V2_Publishing in November. v2.nl/publishing/iedereen-een-kunstenaar v2.nl/publishing/een-stuk-van-mij-gaat-een-paar-keer Arjen Mulder’s new book Een stuk van mij gaat een paar keer (‘A piece of mine goes a couple to times’) is an essay about art and documentation. He argues that the relation between original and documentation has completely shifted over the past thirty years. Art is no longer autonomous, as the 20th century wanted it to be; documentation is what keeps a work of art alive. The second book, Iedereen een kunstenaar (‘Everyone an artist’) by Ruben Jacobs, is about authenticity, art and the creative industries. Both books are published in Dutch and will be available later in November. V2_ and Renzo Martens’ IHA V2_ is the production partner for a new project by Renzo Martens' Institute for Human Activities. v2.nl/lab/blog/v2_-collaborates-with-renzo-martens-iha >From November 22 to February 22 the Institute for Human Activities is part of the exhibition Confessions of the Imperfect, curated by Alistair Hudson and Steven ten Thije at the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven. The Institute for Human Activities will also tour to V2_ in 2015, details forthcoming. More here: v2.nl/lab/blog/v2_-collaborates-with-renzo-martens-iha V2_ sends Karolina Sobecka to the Amazon Karolina Sobecka goes on an expedition in the Peruvian Amazon with support of V2_. It will result in an artwork concept and a voyage report for a forthcoming ebook. v2.nl/lab/blog/the-clipperton-project The artist Karolina Sobecka will be part of a boat expedition on the Amazon River, organised by The Clipperton Project. She is part of a mixed group of artists and scientists that has departed from Iquitos, Peru. After the expedition, Karolina Sobecka will develop a proposal for a new artwork based on her reflections onboard, interactions with crewmates, and impressions of Iquitos and the Peruvian Amazon. Her proposal and reflections will be released in a V2_ ebook in November. Meshenger Meetup >From 3 – 8 November there's a Meshenger meetup at the V2_Lab. v2.nl/events/meshenger-meetup Roel Roscam Abbing and Dennis de Bel have organised an expert work session to further develop Meshenger. The event takes place from 3 – 8 November at the V2_Lab in Rotterdam. Meshenger is a messaging software used for a speculative broadcast communication project. The starting point is an electronic messaging system running on a wireless mesh network. The meetup is for invited participants only. Email not your thing? You can also follow V2_ on the social medium of your choice: • Google+ • Facebook • Twitter ______________________________________________ SPECTRE list for media culture in Deep Europe Info, archive and help: http://post.in-mind.de/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/spectre