In the month of May and June, Piksel once again invite the general public, artists and thinkers alike to attend a series of interesting activities during the Piksel Fest Spill.

Piksel Fest Spill 2024

Program:

Jan-June 17-20h: “Stormy Thursdays” featuring open weekly workshops exploring various electronic art themes for artists and general public.

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May 21^st, 10-13h: Piksel KidZ Lab Workshop : Discovering Plant Magic: A Sensory Adventure with Soft Sensors.

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May 24^th, 18–22h: Exhibition opening: “Silent Vegetal Thoughts”, site -specific installation, by the artists María Castellanos and Alberto Valverde (SP)

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May 25^th –

• 14h: Artists Presentation, María Castellanos and Alberto Valverde (SP)
• 15-18h: Workshop for artists and general public: Monitoring the Environment of Plants by the artists María Castellanos and Alberto Valverde (SP)

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June 7^th 10-13h: Piksel KidZ Lab: Live coding workshop, by Blaz Pavlika (SL) and Flor de fuego (AR/DE)

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June 8^th 23-24h: Satellite event in Bergen produced for the International conference for Live Coding in Shanghai (ICLC). International performance by Blaz Pavlika (SL) and Flor de fuego (AR/DE)

Live Event at the Piksel Cyber Salon and at Studio 207 in Bergen. (https://idle.piksel.org/)

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June 13^th, 20^th,

• 15-18h IDLE Virtual Instruments Workshops
• 18h: Art Experiences Performances with General public performances. High Schools students, art students and general public.

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June 28^th:

• 20 h: Exhibition Program Closure
• 22 h: Final JAM IDLE Performance

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21^stand 25^th May
Discovering Plant Magic: A Sensory Adventure with Soft Sensors for KidZ

Duration: 3 hours. The workshop repeats two days:
When: Tuesday 21^st from 10:00 to 13:00 for Schools and Saturday 25^th from 12:00-15:00 for individual kids and parents.
Age: 10-18 years old.
Place: Studio 207, Strandgaten 207, 5004 Bergen
To secure a spot, send us an email to piksel24(AT)piksel.no with the Subject line: Piksel Kidz.
Remember to include the day and time you wish to sign up for as well as name and age of participants!

“Discovering Plant Magic,” is an workshop where kids will embark on a captivating journey into the world of plants using soft sensors and IoT technology. In this hands-on experience, we’ll explore the incredible abilities of plants and create “soft sensors” to unveil the secrets of their hidden language.

Introduction to Plant Power:

• Uncover the wonders of plant life and learn how they harness energy through photosynthesis.
• Understand the interconnectedness of ecosystems and why plants are essential for our planet’s health.

The Magic of Soft Sensors:
Dive into the concept of soft sensors – flexible, adaptable devices that can measure changes in their environment. Explore how these soft sensors mimic the sensitivity of plants, making them perfect companions for our green adventure.

Connecting Plants with Soft Sensors and IoT:
Participants witness the transformation as we connect soft sensors to plants, turning them into interactive, data-sharing companions. Learn the basics of IoT technology and understand how it enables communication and collaboration between devices.

Hands-On Exploration: The workshop engages in interactive activities to create own soft sensors to communicate with plants, collecting data on their responses to the environment.

Imaginative Creations:
Collaborate with others to dream up imaginative scenarios where soft sensors and plants work together harmoniously.
Think together about how this technology can be used to create a more sustainable and interconnected world.

Participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the intelligence and sensitivity of both plants and soft sensors. They will understand the basics of IoT and how it enables devices to communicate and collaborate seamlessly. All while they explore the potential for innovative, eco-friendly technologies inspired by the harmony between nature and soft sensors.

A workshop that seamlessly merges art, creativity, and eco-friendly technologies is immensely important for children’s development. This interdisciplinary approach offers a holistic learning experience, engaging kids on multiple levels and encouraging them to explore scientific concepts through hands-on activities. By stimulating imagination and fostering creativity, the workshop provides a space for children to think innovatively and express themselves.

In essence, a workshop that combines art, creativity, and eco-friendly technologies provides a dynamic and enriching learning experience. The hands-on exploration of creating soft sensors and delving into eco-friendly technologies nurtures children with valuable skills and environmental consciousness.

June 7^th
Create your own show with live coding visuals. LIVE Coding!

Duration: 3 hours.
When: June 7^th from 10:00 to 13:00
Age: 10-18 years old.
Place: Studio 207, Strandgaten 207, 5004 Bergen
To secure a spot, send us an email to piksel24(AT)piksel.no with the Subject line: Piksel Kidz.
Remember to include the day and time you wish to sign up for as well as name and age of participants!

The internet is full of open-source and free software that we can use to create exciting sound and visuals. This workshop for children aged 14ish will introduce Live coding to the kids. Live coding is an audio visual performance practice that revolves around the creation and modification of code and algorithms in real-time.

Throughout the 3 hours workshop the kids will experiment programming with very simple code sounds and visuals. The workshop intends to de-mystify technology and reveal its design decisions, limitations, and creative potential. Kids will produce a final performance all together at the end of the workshop.

In this workshop, attendees will be introduced to Hydra – a live coding environment created by Olivia Jack. Using live programming, they will have the opportunity to explore image and camera manipulation and create unique visuals. Additionally, we will discuss the various formats where video plays a crucial role, such as live concerts, art installations, and music videos.

Hydra is a web-based video synthesizer. Olivia describes live coding as writing code in real time to make visuals and/or music as part of a performance. Originally begun as a series of explorations in the browser, Hydra is now used by a large community of live coding performers who perform in clubs and other venues, as well as in online streamed performances throughout the pandemic. There are many resources for getting started with Hydra, and a number of spin-off projects including PIXELJAM, also by Olivia, which allows multiple performers to do live coding together. There are also periodic online meetups where live coders worldwide meet up to talk and show off their works created with Hydra.

Hydra is live code-able video synth and coding environment that runs directly in the browser. It is free and open-source and made for beginners and experts alike.

Hydra can be used:

• to mix and add effects to camera feeds, screenshares, live streams, and videos
• to create generative and audio-reactive visuals, and share them online with others
• in combination with other javascript libraries such as P5.js, Tone.js, THREE.js, or gibber
• to add interactive video effects to a website
• to experiment with and learn about video feedback, fractals, and pixel operations
• to stream video between browsers and live-jam with others online

Stormy Thursdays – Exploring the Convergence of Art and Free/Libre Technologies. Open workshops.

We are delighted to invite you to “Stormy Thursdays,” a series of interactive workshops where we delve into the intersection of art and free/libre technologies, fostering a serene space for exploration and creativity.

Discover the Art-Tech Connection: Immerse yourself in the serene blend of artistic expression and free/libre technologies, where innovation takes a tranquil form.

Participate, Craft, Share: These workshops prioritize hands-on engagement. Join us to participate actively, craft your projects, and share your creations with a community of like-minded individuals.

Free/Libre Technologies: Embrace the philosophy of open-source tools. Learn about free/libre technologies and contribute to a collaborative space of knowledge sharing.

Event Details:

Date: Every Thursday / January and February 2024
Time: 17-20 h
Venue: Studio 207, Strandgaten 207, Bergen

What to Anticipate:

Interactive Workshops
Live Demonstrations
Collaborative Project Showcases
Casual Networking with Creative Minds

Who Should Attend:

Artists
Tech Enthusiasts
Creatives
Those intrigued by the intersection of art and technology

RSVP Today: Send us an email to piksel24(at)piksel(dot)no

Let Thursdays become a canvas for peaceful creativity, an avenue for thoughtful exploration. We look forward to a serene collaboration of art and technology. See you there.

We are honored to host the Goodiepal performance at Studio 207 on Sunday 17th of December 2023. A unique opportunity to know this enigmatic and influential figure of the experimental music in Bergen.

Goodiepal: The Enigmatic Sound Pioneer

Goodiepal, born as Parl Kristian Bjørn Vester, is an avant-garde composer, electronic musician, and multi-disciplinary artist hailing from Denmark. Born on September 11, 1974, in Rønne, Goodiepal has become a fascinating figure in the realm of experimental music.

Known for his eccentric approach to sound and performance, Goodiepal has spent decades pushing the boundaries of traditional music genres.

Goodiepal’s sonic journey is a kaleidoscope of influences, ranging from electronic beats to avant-garde compositions. He has carved out a unique niche in the music scene, blending technology with a deep appreciation for the avant-garde. His performances are unpredictable, immersive experiences that challenge the norms of conventional music.

In addition to his work as a musician, Goodiepal introduced the concept of Radical Computer Music in response to the prevalent Scandinavian practice of categorizing notated music as “serious music.” Seeking to redefine the relationship between humans and machines, he advocates for communicating with computers using newly created languages. According to Goodiepal, this novel linguistic approach has the potential to elevate the man-machine relationship to a higher level, fostering innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of computer music.

Goodiepal remains an enigmatic and influential figure, leaving an indelible mark on the world of experimental music. His creative spirit continues to inspire those who seek to explore the limitless possibilities of sound and expression.

#RadicalComputerMusic #Innovation #ManMachineRelationship

https://komponistbasen.dk/node/8812#1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodiepal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radical_Computer_Music

The Piksel (no) festival tours have been cancelled, the festival activities will proceed as programmed on Thursday and Saturday, with the exception of the tours around the city and Rare Earth Walks with Max Dovey – Piksel Kidz.

Please follow our webpage and social media for updates.

Thursday 23.11:

Piksel (NO) Festival opening Studio 207 18:30-23:00

18:30 DJ Performance Anders G.

21:00 Piksel festival activities presentation

• IDLE presentation: “Discovery artists” EFEEA residency artists Flor de Fuego and Blaz Pavlica who have developed an unique visual instrument for the Web Virtual Reality (WebVR) environment IDLE using the live coding framework Hydra.
• Presentation of the exhibition “A knock from below heard at the bottom” from Polina Medvedeva and the artistic director Julie Lillelien Porter from Lydgalleriet.

22:00 Open studio207 • Open decks • Open Beamer
Showcase of Free/Libre & Open Source New Media/ DIY/OSHW / Electronic Art

Saturday 25.11: Piksel (NO) Festival “Discovery artists” EFEEA IDLE Performance.

21:00 Open studio207 • Open decks • Open Beamer
Showcase of Free/Libre & Open Source New Media / DIY/OSHW / Electronic
Art

22:00 PIKSEL (NO) Festival is presenting the “Discovery artists” EFEEA
residency artists Flor de Fuego and Blaz Pavlica, IDLE Performance

23:00 Open studio207 • Open decks • Open Beamer Showcase of Free/Libre
& Open Source New Media/ DIY/OSHW / Electronic Art

For more info:
https://no.piksel.no

Dear Collaborators and Community,

With mixed emotions, we announce the conclusion of our collaborations with the guest curators for the 2023 edition of the Piksel Festival. Due to increasing differences regarding the scope of their involvement, we feel that the only way of moving forward and still keep the integrity of the Piksel Festival is to end our collaboration at this point.

The Piksel (no) festival is still happening, festival activities will proceed as programmed on Thursday and Saturday, with the exception of the tours around the city.

Please follow our webpage and social media for updates.

We express our gratitude to the curators for their contributions and dedication throughout our time together. Additionally, we want to thank the artists included in the program and apologize for this last-minute decision and any inconvenience it may cause.

We remain committed to fostering creativity and excellence in our endeavors, and we eagerly anticipate new opportunities and partnerships that align with our vision and values.

Thank you for your continued support.

Piksel Kidz – LIVE Coding with HYDRA.

Another round of Piksel Kidz is right around the corner! From Tuesday 28th of November until Friday 1st of December kids, parents, youngsters and adults are welcome to studio 207 where the digital-craft artist Florencia Alonso (Flor de Fuego) will guide the group on tips and tricks of Live coding using the open source software Hydra.

In 2015, Piksel Festival, the Bergen festival focusing on new media art and open digital culture, introduced Piksel KidZ Lab, an artistic laboratory for kids to understand and build new media artworks. After 9 years of experience working with kids and technology, the program is rooted in the autumn schools program. Piksel KidZ Lab will be held in Bergen during the autumn of 2023.

Throughout the 3 hours workshop the kids will experiment programming with very simple code sounds and visuals. The workshop intends to de-mystify technology and reveal its design decisions, limitations, and creative potential. Kids will produce a final performance all together at the end of the workshop.

In this workshop, attendees will be introduced to Hydra – a live coding environment created by Olivia Jack. Using live programming, they will have the opportunity to explore image and camera manipulation and create unique visuals. Additionally, we will discuss the various formats where video plays a crucial role, such as live concerts, art installations, and music videos.

Hydra is a web-based video synthesizer. Olivia describes live coding as writing code in real time to make visuals and/or music as part of a performance. Originally begun as a series of explorations in the browser, Hydra is now used by a large community of live coding performers who perform in clubs and other venues, as well as in online streamed performances throughout the pandemic. There are many resources for getting started with Hydra, and a number of spin-off projects including PIXELJAM, also by Olivia, which allows multiple performers to do live coding together. There are also periodic online meetups where live coders worldwide meet up to talk and show off their works created with Hydra.

Hydra is live code-able video synth and coding environment that runs directly in the browser. It is free and open-source and made for beginners and experts alike.

Duration: 4 hours.
The workshop repeats every day in 2 possible schedules:
mornings from 10:00 to 13:00 for schools
late afternoon from 16:00-19:00 for individual kids

Age: 10-88 years old. Parents and young adults are also welcome!

Place: Studio 207, Strandgaten 207, 5004 Bergen

To secure a spot, send us an email to piksel23(AT)piksel.no with the Subject line Piksel Kidz.

Remember to include the day and time you wish to sign up for as well as name and age of participants!

Piksel Cyber Salons: A Brief History

The inception of Piksel Cyber Salons can be traced back to 2020, a year marked by the rapid emergence of new ways to connect in response to the global pandemic. While virtual reality (VR) was not a novel concept, WebVR became more accessible and easier to develop, aligning well with the prevailing spirit of the times.

Piksel FestSpil 2020 – COPY PASTE

The inaugural Piksel Cyber Salon took place during the Piksel FestSpil in 2020, curated by Antonio Roberts. Its aim was to embrace the essence of digital artworks that could only be exhibited in the digital realm. Artists Matthew Plummer-Fernandez and Julien Deswaef presented glitchy collages of random objects sourced from freely accessible 3D online repositories, resulting in a peculiar landscape.

The Piksel Cyber Salon was part of the Ars Electrónica Garden BERGEN

You can explore the salon here: Link to Piksel FestSpil Cyber Salon.

GLOCAL, Piksel Cyber Salon 2020 Piksel Festival

The second Piksel Cyber Salon, held in 2021, experimented with the festival’s slogan letters, transforming the salon into an electronic literature saloon. Created by artist Malitzin Cortés (CNDSD), each artwork was linked to ring-shaped sculptures, and curated video programs played continuously on various screens. A live connection was established with the festival in Bergen.

Explore the salon here: Link to GLOCAL Cyber Salon.

Piksel 21, Reboot Me Softly

The third Piksel Cyber Salon, known as Piksel 21, embraced a semi-dark environment, symbolizing our gradual emergence from the global outbreak. Alongside digital sculptures created by 3D artist, creative coder, and sound artist Santiago Ramírez Camarena, the Cyber Salon served as a virtual arena for following the festival’s streaming activities. A TV studio was set up at Piksel to facilitate streaming, attracting newcomers to the world of streaming and expanding the content.

Visit the salon here: Link to Piksel 21 Cyber Salon.

PikselXX, AI, AI, AI

Marking 20 years of New Media Art and Free/Libre technologies in Norway, Piksel XX featured a seminar, special projects, an extensive exhibition, concerts, performances, artist presentations, and workshops. The fourth Piksel Cyber Salon served as a hub for experiencing all these events. Furthermore, the development of the new Cyber Salon aimed to establish a more profound connection with physical spaces. This led to the creation and premiere of IDLE in November 2022. Learn more about the IDLE project here: IDLE Project Details.

To enter the Piksel Cyber Salon, follow this link: Piksel Cyber Salon.

Enjoy your visit!

IDLE Inclusive Digital Laboratory for Experimental Art

As a part of our ongoing project Inclusive Digital Laboratory for Experimental Art (IDLE), Piksel is hosting an information meeting/ workshop.

Friday May 26th, 12:00 – 14:00
Studio 207, Strandgaten 207, Bergen
Tools needed: Own Laptop and Headphones

Open to anyone interested in creative and innovative digital solutions for the inclusion of people with reduced mobility/functionality.

The meeting will include a presentation of IDLE so far, an exploration of Piksel Cyber Salon, and end with a small workshop on how to navigate and utilize opportunities available on this platform.

The goal for the evening is to inspire participants to take further part in the project as IDLE mediators, cultural organizations, and artists.

To sign up, please send an email with the subject line “IDLE Mediator Meeting” to piksel23(at)piksel(dot)no

Ps: The event is BYOL- Bring Your Own Laptop (and headphones) !

Inclusive Digital Laboratory for Experimental Art (IDLE) is an innovative, artistic, and participatory project based on a digitally upgraded meeting place, Studio 207 in Bergen. The goal is to make the physical art space Studio 207 available online via Piksel Cyber Salon with the aim that everyone can interact and create new artistic experiences without having to be physically present.

The project started with the premise that social gatherings on digital platforms give a greater opportunity to participate when unable to meet up physically and explores how to open access to electronic and contemporary art in new ways.

To test the preliminary manufactured technology and eventually disseminate the completed tool, we at Piksel wish to put together a team consisting of representatives from cultural/artistic/humanitarian/health organizations or institutions that work with people with reduced mobility physically, socially, and/or infrastructural. This includes actors who wish to include the aforementioned groups in their activities.

As an IDLE mediator, one will:
• Be among the first with user knowledge related to an innovative tool.
• Gain expanded knowledge about creative inclusion opportunities within art and culture.
• Interact with the artists behind IDLE.
• Be able to influence the finished result so that it is adapted to the needs you see as suitable to be met.
• Get arranged use of the Piksel Cyber Salon and specially adapted workshops organized by Piksel.

*28th International Symposium of Electronic Art *

Piksel is presenting the project IDLE Inclusive Digital Laboratory for Experimental Art at the ISEA SYMBIOSIS 23 as a part of the event program Analysis, theory & politics of care (in Electronic Arts) May 17th at 4:30 GMT+2 at Mains d’Œuvres.

The event is organized by the EU funded project Toolkit of Care, an Action’s network to share collective expertise and technical knowledge employed in creative ways to develop knowledge and methodologies of care. Enabling creative technology to form a “critical network of care”.

https://isea2023.isea-international.org/en/programme/view/47/analysis-theory-politics-of-care-in-electronic-arts

With our ongoing project Inclusive Digital Laboratory for Experimental Art (IDLE) recognized as a useful tool by the Toolkit of Care network, Piksel representatives will present the concept of IDLE and its possibilities to the International Electronic Art Symposium 2023 Audience.

IDLE intends to offer a creative virtual meeting point for school kids, youngsters, people with reduced mobility, artists performing remotely who want to interact with the physical world, and all of those art curious lovers that want to look for new physical-virtual new experiences.

https://piksel.no/2023/01/28/inkluderende-digitalt-laboratorium-for-eksperimentell-kunst-idle

DIGI.KOMP is a Cultural cooperation with Slovenians partners through the EEA and Norway Grants. 

DIGI.KOMP answers the growing demands for the use of digital content in society, which are difficult for teachers, other pedagogical workers, and training organizers to follow and use in their day-to-day work. Children, adults and the elderly need quality training to raise their digital competencies for work and everyday life. The main goal of the project is the development and pilot implementation of 39 new teaching and learning practices for work and life in the field of digital competencies.

Piksel has prepared 3 workshops about basic electronics, DIY bioart instruments, and digital streaming competences:

• Basic electronic knowledge – how to teach computer skills, how to start working with electronics, how a computer works. Useful for teachers teaching children around 8 years old.
• How to use microscope with your mobile phone – a creative approach to science that teachers can do at schools (11-18 years old or more)
• How to use OBS Studio – Streaming video to different platforms (YouTube, others) where the lecturer can integrate slides, documents, web pages, different cameras, webcam, high-performance real-time video/audio capturing and mixing, create scenes made up of multiple sources and more.

The first part of the project is planned for March 2023 when the Piksel team travel to Slovenia to host the first series of workshops. To help lead the workshops we are lucky to be joined by the artists Sarah Grant, Hamilton Mestizo and APO33/Julien Ottavi. 

DIGI.KOMP is a collaboration with Slovenian Partners: Zasavska ljudska univerza, The Institute for Culture Delavski dom Trbovlje and Knjižnica Toneta Seliškarja Trbovlje, with the support of EEA and Norway Grants.

Supported by:

In February the Spanish national TV program – Metrópolis – successfully aired a PikselXX special where they showed highlights of AV performances, the AI AI AI exhibition and interviews with artists and curators. Capturing the essence of Piksel in the beautiful framing of sunny Bergen and KiB, – Kunstskolen i Bergen, our main festival venue. The show is a must watch for any new media art enthusiast with a case of wanderlust. The full program with English subtitles can be seen here: https://www.piksel.org/nextcloud/index.php/s/Xj9oFdZnjoYNmdL

Featured artist include: Oscar Martin a.k.a Noish (ES), Miller Puckette (US), Kerry Hagan (IR), Derek Curry (US), Jennifer Gradecki (US), Nick Montfort (US), Luz María Sánchez (MX), Ben Grosser (US), Özge Samanci (TR/US), Hillevi Munthe (NO), Elisabeth Schimana (AT), Sarah Grant (DE/US), Teresa Dillon (IR), Joana Chicau (PT/GB), Juan Pablo García Sossa (CO/DE), Lauren McCarthy (US), Shortwave Collective (UK).