Hacker-in-Residence Programme
The Hacker-in-Residence Programme is jointly organized by various people from the environment of Bitwäscherei, and directed primarily by Marc Dusseiller aka dusjagr, Center for Alternative Coconut Research, in his role as as co-founder and board member of both the Swiss Mechatronic Art Society and Global Ambassador of the Hackteria Network.
Ongoing
Andrey Chugonow (Yekaterinburg, Russia / Glasgow, UK) - 1. Oct - 30. November 2024
"During my stay in Switzerland, I plan to start developing a project that takes my autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, beyond my body into the realm of peer interaction. I plan to create a performative situation within which we will begin to interact with this autoimmune agent, forming several feedback loops in an attempt to find the equilibrium of the event."
Andrey Chugunov is a conceptual artist working at the intersection of digital and analogue media. He combines sound art, light installation, generative graphics, technological sculpture, media performances and readymade in his practice. He researches topics of mortality, temporality, autonomy, and memory decay in his artworks from the perspective of meditative media.
He got a master's degree in Digital art at the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, Russia in 2018-2020. He participated in the "Laboratory of a young artist" at the Ural branch of the State Center for Contemporary Art in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2018. He received an engineering degree in the field of alternative and renewable energy sources at the Ural Federal University in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2008-2013.
Andrey was born in Sverdlovsk, USSR in 1991.
Now he resides in East Kilbride, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Giulia Tomasello (Italy) - 5. - 24. October 2024
Interaction designer and educator committed to female’s healthcare and its innovation, combining biotechnology and interactive wearables. Founder of ALMA Futura.
Giulia will visit Switzerland and collaborate with GaudiLabs in Luzern (5-10. Oct) and at the Hackteria ZET - Open Science Lab (15-24. Oct) on participatory community research and hacking around the theme of reproductive justice and DIY pregnancy tests.
"Xenopia is a research, art and design project aimed at prototyping a domestic hormones Beta Hcg test as a tool to address reproductive justice and the right to access abortion. We will investigate the historical scientific practices around living interfaces as controlling technologies (i.e. the living pregnancy test Xenopus Leavis frog, mice, seeds). The right to access abortion is under attack and Beta Hcg testing is a mandatory test to access safe abortion but is poorly available for people living in rural areas and in marginalised conditions. Weeks of pregnancy are the playing field on which the war against access to abortion is waged, so we see in this prototype the possibility of facilitating the path autonomously by giving people back control. Collectives defending reproductive rights in countries where abortion is illegal or restricted (as Italy) and safely providing support, do not have access to this kind of easing. With an inter-species perspective, we would therefore develop this prototype and participatory workshops as political act of empowerment and concrete response to reproductive justice."
In preperation
Others
Maximiliano Laina (filmaker) and Olivia Laina (youth-activistin) are visiting Zurich on the weekend of 11.-14th April, as part of the More-Than-Planet exhibition curated by Ewen Chardronnet and Martina Huber at Löwenbräu Zürich, We are AIA | Awareness in Art.
11.04.24, 6 - 9pm "Flying with Patcha - Into the Aerocene" Films creening at Luma Schwarzcafé
14.04.24, 9 - 12 am political Manifestation "Earthrise" flying the solar ballon at "Alte Kaserene"
Testimonials of our Residents of the past
Tengal (Manila, Philippines / Berlin, Germany) - 1. - 10. August 2024
Tengal is a composer, media artist, and cultural instigator, engaged in research-based production that bridges art, technology, and society. Since 2005, he has initiated numerous projects and collectives in Manila and across Southeast Asia. Notably, he founded the organization SABAW Media Art Kitchen, a curatorial platform specializing in sound, media art, and interstices between art and science. In 2008, he established the Philippines' first international media art and experimental music festival, WSK Festival of the Recently Possible where he has served as artistic director since its inception.
From 2017 to 2018, Tengal curated the exhibition "INTERSTICES: Manifolds of The In-between" and served as exhibition director for the "Self-reflexivity: Thinking Media and Digital Articulations" exhibition at the Tokyo Media Art Festival MeCA | Media Culture in Asia, initiated by the Japan Foundation.
Tengal co-created the international music platform NUSASONIC, a creative collaboration between YES NO KLUB, WSK Festival of The Recently Possible, Playfreely/BlackKaji, CTM Festival, and the Goethe Institute. Nusasonic was a multi-year project that explores a wide spectrum of experimental sound and music cultures in Southeast Asia, fostering dialogue not only within the region but also with Europe.
Recently relocating to Berlin, Tengal served as curator-at-large at Art Laboratory Berlin and played a significant role as co-curator of the projects "Hackers, Makers, Thinkers”, and “Radyo Somatodelia: Experiments in Sonic Animism.”
Elisa Chaveneau (Le Mans, France) - 01. - 15. July 2024
Bio: Elisa Chaveneau is a French artist born in 2000 who specialises in the design and exhibition of sculptures,
installations and materials on the subject of «Other-than-human». Her search for new media involving geo-materials and fermentation processes is keen to question inter-species relations in an ecosystem and consumer habits facing industry. With specialist training in geomaterials and ceramics at the Le Mans Fine Arts School, the materiality and supposed aesthetics of the material take on a primordial role in her approach to creation, as well as in her formal process is to rediscover the links with the living world. Through her interests in ecology, design, craft practices and performance, she tries to focus our imagination and make us contemplate the landscapes and the immensity of the ecosystems we are confronted with.
Her work has been exhibited at the Centre Contemporain de Céramique de la Borne and in a duo with Noémie Vincent-Maudry at the 2022 Saint-Etienne Biennial and at the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris for the Flammes exhibition.
https://www.instagram.com/elisachaveneau/
Workshop: Saturday 13.7.24, 12-18h
https://www.hackteria.org/wiki/Kitchenlab_Bioplastic
DIY Workshop on BIOPLASTIC Making. Together with Hacker-in-Residency(SGMK) Elisa Chaveneau (FR) we dive into the topic of bioplastic as novel material research. Starting point is the kitchen lab! Why working with materials that originate from our kitchen and how easy and fun it is to repurpose materials from there to revalue and repurpose and close circles. Circular thinking at the base of everyday practice! Starting with a Lunch by Gasthaus Kitchenlab we will be working on testing and creating various recipes and experimentations on Bioplastic.
Moch Hasrul (Jakarta, Indonesia) - 11-14. July 2024
"I have known Hackteria ZET and SGMK's MechArtLab for quite some time, and I always enjoy visiting their shared studio and laboratory. The atmosphere is incredibly pleasant and inspiring, filled with a playful yet highly productive energy. When I was a speaker at a talk about Operasi Plastik, I was truly impressed by the enthusiasm and participation of the attendees. Additionally, the experience of preparing a dinner together was delightful, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Hackteria ZET, Bitwäscherei, is truly a special place for creativity and collaborative learning."
Bio: Moch Hasrul is a media artist based in Jakarta who combines art and technology in his work. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Art Education from Universitas Negeri Jakarta and a Master's degree in Fine Arts from Institut Teknologi Bandung. Currently, he serves as the director of Serrum and teaches at Kalbis University. His artistic practice includes experiments with computational devices, mechanical and electronic systems, and plastic recycling. Managing Studio Batur Jakarta and actively involved in the Gudskul Ecosystem, Hasrul initiated GudRnD, focusing on plastic recycling experiments. He is also developing context-based, student-centered learning methods using art approach.
TALK: Operasi Plastik - 18:00 Saturday 13. July 2024 @ Bitwäscherei
Hasrul will give an overview of their activities, researching and developing OPERASI PLASTIK, an artistic approach to plastic waste management. After the talk everybody is invited for a dinner, exploring Indonesian cuisine and cooking together.
OPERASI PLASTIK is an initiative that offers an artistic approach to plastic waste management by incorporating artistic and imaginative aspects into the process. By using art as a medium, OPERASI PLASTIK not only focuses on conventional plastic recycling but also transforms the waste into captivating and meaningful artworks. This approach aims to raise public awareness about plastic waste issues while changing their perception of materials that are usually considered trash.
Servando Barreiro (digital nomad, Spain) - February 2024
"During my time at Bitwäscherei, I had a blast! Interacting with a bunch of creative minds from different backgrounds was super cool. We did some coding, had fun with puredata, and created some awesome stuff together. The weeks at Bitwäscherei flew by, filled with lots of laughs and learning. I'm already thinking about coming back for more. It's a great place to explore new ideas and make music with like-minded folks. Thanks, Bitwäscherei, for the awesome experience. Looking forward to hanging out again and making more magic together!"
Biography
I'm an Audiovisual artist with a background in electronics, sound, and audiovisual communication. I lived in Madrid, Berlin, Peru, and Stockholm, among other places. I'm A Pure Data expert (If you know, you know..). I created music and/or software for brands such as Audi, Redbull, Polestar, and Teenage Engineering. My work has been exhibited in renowned locations such as: Reina Sofia Museum, Medialab Prado, Transmediale, and Ars Electronica. For more information, keep browsing this site.
Workshop at Bitwäscherei
See more about the Puredata (Pd) Workshop with Servando
Yuzuru Maeda (Japan) - Dec 2023
Biography
Yuzuru born in Japan, Gifu. Yuzuru graduated from LaSalle College of Arts, Singapore in 2009 for Bachelor of the Arts program in music composition. She has embarked on performing music and improvisation and making video, installation and performance art with [Zentai Art Project - http://yuzuru.weebly.com/]. She also organizes Zentai exhibition, Zentai walk, Zentai performance with Zentai Art Festival.
For her residency at Bitwäscherei she will conduct interviews with people on their life and practices wearing a Zentai outfit while doing and creating friction in how to perceive the oposite. She also wants to conduct a participatory Zentai performance in public space in Zurich.
If interested in giving an interview or participate at the zentai performance pls contact "zentaiartproject[at]yahoo.com"
"I embarked on an artistic exploration using Zentai suits as a central component in my video work. This unconventional choice served as a catalyst for probing the complex layers of identity within the realm of art and human interaction. During my residency in December 2023, I had the privilege of engaging in insightful interviews with notable figures such as Serge Bertschy, Oliver Jaggi, and Chruut. These encounters provided invaluable glimpses into their creative processes and methodologies. It was a fascinating journey delving into their artistic minds, discovering their techniques, and learning about their endeavors to push the boundaries of expression. One of the most profound lessons gleaned from these conversations was the importance of innovation and resourcefulness in the pursuit of artistic vision. Witnessing how each individual crafted their own tools and methods to breathe life into creations inspired me to seek out my own unique approaches in my artistic practice. Moreover, these interactions sparked a deeper contemplation on the interconnectedness between art and sustainability. I was profoundly moved by the dedication of these artists to not only their craft but also to contributing positively to our planet. Their commitment to sustainable living resonated deeply with me, prompting introspection on how I, too, could leverage my art to foster a more environmentally conscious world. As I reflect on the insights gained during my residency, I am filled with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. Armed with newfound inspiration and a heightened awareness of the intersection between art and sustainability, I am eager to embark on my own journey of creative exploration and meaningful contribution to the world around me."
small trailer of the zurich session:
Shih Wei-chieh (Taipei, Taiwan) - 11. September - 1. November 2023
What was the purpose of your residency in Zurich? What did you learn from it?
“In addition to my pursuit of practical solar applications, my most successful DSSC prototype currently produces only around ~2.5 mA per square centimeter. The significance lies more in the opportunities to collaborate with scientists and engage in visits to the laboratory at ETH. This experience has served as valuable training for me, offering insights into how scientists work with nanomaterials. Understanding the conventional applications and purposes, as well as the established protocols for synthesizing nano materials, has been a rare and precious experience for artists. It raises pertinent questions about the relationship between art and science, and how these two domains can and should collaborate effectively.”
“Although it was a fantastic experience for artists to work with scientists with complete freedom and full access to knowledge, I wonder how we can repeat the model without any funding to support the free sofa accommodation and the efforts from volunteers. On the other hand, I believe this is a great model that differs from those residency organized by institutes and centers which always comes with political requirements and demands. The property of the community plays a big part too. During the residency I have met many community members in Bitwäscherei, the role of them are usually very mixed, like chemist with musician background or artist with scientific degree, or engineer with profound knowledge for history of analog computer, the people are a great library and the culture was naturally provided by the community. This dynamic is relatively rare in Taiwan, where career roles tend to be more singular, and scientists typically don’t serve other fields in the same integrated manner.”
Part 1/2: “From e-textile to Grätzel cells, encounter with the taiwanese designer Shih Wei Chieh“, Makery 2023
Part 2/2: “A residency to research Grätzel cells at Hackteria, encounter with Shih Wei Chieh“, Makery 2023
施惟捷 Shih Wei Chieh works with wearable art, e-textile, and laser audiovisual. He is also a self-taught material science researcher. His "Laser Dye Project" innovates an optical textile printing method by programmable laser projector and New Cyanotype solution, which inspire him to explore the trans-disciplinary collaboration between new medias and traditional craft techniques. He’s the founder of “Tribe Against Machine”, a project exploring how culture preservation works with modern technologies. His current research develops a DIY dye sensitized solar glass made with natural dye in a large size format, which is used for both energy and as a smart interface for sonic art.
Application to NanoArts grant done / not received :-(: https://www.hackteria.org/wiki/Prep-NanoArts
Now combined with Workshop at Energy Giveaway @ WEAREAIA, to be held on 22/23 September 2023.
More info is documented on the hackteria wiki: https://www.hackteria.org/wiki/Abao_Residency
Helmi Hardian (Surabaya, Indonesia) - Mid July - Mid August 2023 | BIR residensi
Reflection / Testimonial
Best residency ever!! - Helmi
During my residency, I had the opportunity to collaborate on the project The Loose Energy Curriculum for the exhibition at the Humus Punk Library in Zurich. We created a low-voltage and high-energy visual performance, utilizing previously unknown equipment from the hackteria studio. The experience of playing together and improvising with the hacked equipment was incredibly rewarding.
One of the highlights was simply attending a wide range of workshops at the Homemade Summercamp in Switzerland, which differs a lot from my usual practice usually being the host of workshops. This privilege of learning from others and expanding my knowledge in various media arts fields felt utterly precious. From building a music station where we learned to play drums, to skillbuilding on keyboard, DJ equipment, and more. The overall cultural exchange during cooking time allowed us to share and transform traditional recipes into vegan and vegetarian versions. And the plurality of trips and destination furthermore offered precious insights into local cultures. Stops included: Randelab, GaudiLabs, collaborating with Hackteria ZET in Zurich, attending Homemade Summercamp, visiting the art and science residency at Max-Planck in Konstanz and organizing the program "Pasar Senggol" at Chaos Communication Camp outside of Berlin.
It was unexpected but exciting to explore personal studios for local artists, experiencing the different styles of how collective spaces can be implemented and getting to know the individual studio approach. The residency taught me valuable lessons in space management, as I observed how collectives like Bitwäscherei or Fashion Revolution collaborate with the municiapal government to establish independent spaces. Overall, this residency provided a rich and diverse learning experience. - Written by Francisca Tan during a discussion with Helmi in Chiang Mai
Biography
Helmi Hardian is a grassroots artist and ghetto scientist, with a specific interest in cooking and smoking at the same time. He lives in Surabaya, the city that is well known for its industry and technology, as well as being the center of electronic component trading (chiefly, Pasar Genteng). Hence, almost all of his works are closely related to science and technology as the medium of creativity. He is the co-founder of Waft Lab, a creative-based initiative that works at interdisciplinary practices. Currently, he focuses on tech development through DIY/DIWO culture and playing his role in researching, hacking, or deconstructing daily materials to provide some devices with new functional aspects, as well as developing workshop kits, lecturing contents, and presentation materials, which aim to learn, share, and exchange knowledge.
- https://waft-lab.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/helmihardian/
- File:Helmi Hardian - Artwork and Workshop 2022.pdf
- Recent TUAK residensi in Tuban: https://www.hackteria.org/wiki/TUAK
- Application submitted: https://www.suedkulturfonds.ch/
- Download application here: File:Dossier-iiw0pYiT.pdf
- Full project outline here: File:2023_ProjectOutline_Helmi-Residensi.pdf
Arnont Nongyao - Thailand | early May 2023
Biography
Arnont Nongyao lives in Chiangmai (TH) - Ho Chi Minh city (VN) and He is an artist interested and fell in love with the vibration of things. He likes listening to everything that inspires him to do experimental sound art. The most important teacher “the master Khvay Loeung "inspired him to listen and “destroy yourself from being yourself” .-.. .. ... - . -. -.-- --- ..- .-. ... . .-.. ..-.
Born in Bangkok, works and lives in Chiangmai (TH) - Ho Chi Minh city (VN). Arnont is working with various and different media includes sound, video, installation, site specific, public art etc. Arnont’s work is engage with his interest in vibration; he works on diverse art experimental projects, vibration-related.
Arnont has been interested and research into sound with concentration on vibration, so most of his works are differently experimental and relative to vibration in order to search for the value of vibration derived from connected things, such as human beings, objects and society. His works are involved in a specific space and audience’s participation. They are also connected with the mode of listening/hearing in a social situation, and with how people interact with and participate in sound. Moreover, also he is Co-Director of Aesthetics of Error ( Chiang Mai Collective) with Thatchatham Silsupan and Pathompong Manakitsomboon that is a group of sound artists & musician working on sound art & experimental music in Chiangmai.
Some of his selected exhibitions include solo exhibition “Sphere”, SAC Art lap, Chiang Mai, Thailand(2018).“Another Sound” co-work with Khvay Loeung, Sa Sa Art projects, Phnom Penh and Chiang Mai, Cambodia - Thailand (2018). and group exhibitions “Opera of Kard”, Singapore Biennale 2019, Singapore. “Currents 2019”, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. “A Visiblelity Matrix”, The Secession 2019, Vienna, Austria. Bangkok Art Biennale 2018, Bangkok, Thailand. “Postcripts” Bangkok Biennale, Bangkok, Thailand (2018).“Unstable(ry) Life”, 2016, Manif d’art, Quebec, Canada. 16th Media Art Biennale WRO 2015: Test Exposure, Wroclaw, Poland, TRANCE at Gallery VER, Bangkok, Thailand (2014). PROXIMITY, part of inSPIRACJE International at 13 MUZ, Szczecin, Poland (2014).
External Links
Bostjan Čadež (Ljubljana, Slovenia - April 2023
Bostjan Čadež (b. 1979, Ljubljana) is a new media artist whose interdisciplinary practice explores the intersections of art, technology, and human experience. His innovative installations and performances often challenge the boundaries between the digital and physical world, incorporating elements such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics, and real-time data processing. Čadež’s art is characterized by a dynamism and unique life that stems from the algorithms and guidelines he uses to shape his works. His interest in simple guidelines from which an infinite number of images or situations arise, which are never the same as before, is one of the key aspects of his creations. His works often include interaction with viewers, who with their involvement become part of the artistic experience and at the same time co-create the work they observe.
Dann Disciglio (Chicago, USA) & Angelina Almukhametova (Chicago, USA) - March 2022
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the Hacker-in-Residence program at the Swiss Mechatronic Art Society. The atmosphere of curiosity and artistic research was both inspiring and endlessly encouraging. During my residency, I led a workshop called, “Biodegradable Sound: Gelatin Records.” This hands-on workshop aimed to explore the intersection of recorded sound and biodegradability by introducing a method for creating functional and fully biodegradable phonograph records made from gelatin. The Swiss Mechatronic Art Society and its diverse group of members not only helped facilitate this workshop, they supported me by offering the resources and technical support needed to realize the event. My residency also produced various connections with other artists, musicians, and hackers which I continue to maintain to this day. I cannot wait to return to SGMK to continue to explore new topics of research, and continue picking the brains of the incredible community who stands behind this space”
During their short residency they will work on their research with parametric speakers, host a workhop on "Biodegradable Sounds" and do a performance with artist-made video transmitters, and retro tech!
See this little add by the Hive people, where in the end they show the workshop and performance: https://peakd.com/hive-127039/@mind.force/ladjdnnz
Angelina Almukhametova
An G is a Chicago based neon artist who creates digital & physical works in pursuit of happiness.
Angelina Almukhametova’s work interfaces digital and analog technologies with custom built software and handmade electronics to create responsive audiovisual installations and performances. She holds a BFA in Art and Technology from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2020) and has exhibited work and performed in New York City, Chicago, Houston, and Iceland. She has led workshops at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Experimental Sound Studio in Chicago.
Dann Disciglio
Dann Disciglio (b.1993) is a US-based intermedia artist whose practice investigates contemporary ecologies through both analog and digital technologies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College (2015) in art and media theory and a Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Sound Department (2019). Disciglio has shown work and performed in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Zürich, Leipzig, Iceland, and Panama City and has published texts in the Journal of Visual Culture (SAGE) and the Minding Nature journal. In 2022, he was selected to be an Emerging Artist Resident at Franconia Sculpture Park (Shafer, MN), Hacker-in-Residence at the Swiss Mechatronic Art Society (ZRH), and as a Creative Resident at the Bloedel Reserve (WA).
Miranda Moss (Cape Town, South Africa | wuwäähä, Sweden)
Artist / designer Miranda has been popping into SGMK events since 2017. In the period 2020-21 she has been conducting chicken/robot research at Bitwäscherei and Randelab as part of the "Chicken-in-Residence Program", along with Daniel Brownell, co-ran a solar water bot workshop with Dj Livia, joined the Homemade summercamp for the first time where she turned everyone's pee into electricity, continues to collaborate on sound and water geeking with Oli Jäggi, and regularly comes to the 2D OpenLab. She has also become the in-house graphic designer for events, always makes sure everyone has enough beer to drink, and is also the resident anticolonial feminist killjoy.
She says:
"I'm super grateful to have had all the time as a hacker in residence at the Bitwäscherei. I am always meeting new amazing and inspiring people, am constantly learning cool things, and new projects and collaborations seem to blossom exponentially. I try to take the spirit of the lab with me on all my travels and to the other global communities I am involved in. Can't wait to return!"
Miranda's recent residency was supported partially through her artistic research project "Gallus Gallus Roboticus" within the konS paltfrom, funded by European Union and Cultural Ministry of Slovenia. Other visits privately and partially through Pro Helvetia.
Scott Beibin (Philadelphia, USA)
Scott Beibin, aka Groucho Fractal has been a regular visitor to the MechArtLab over the last couple of years.
Liz Cole - Evil Twin Booking Agency (Philadelphia, USA)
Elizabeth Jane Cole is co founder of Evil Twin Booking Agency (eviltwinbooking.org), a podcast producer, writer, and DIY biology and open source hardware enthusiast. She participated in the Wild Open PCR Project @ Hacketeria (mentored by Urs Gaudenz of GaudiLabs and Marc Dusseiller).
"I’m very grateful for the time I spent at Bitwäscherei! The passion for collaboration and understanding how things work embodied in the culture of the space is so inspiring. Bitwäscherei empowers people to explore their environments through building open source tools and technology, and it opened up a new world of creativity for me."
Adam Zaretsky (Woodstock, USA | somewhere in Greece)
First I am thankful to Hackteria – Zentrum für Experimentelle Transdisziplinarität (Center for Experimental Transdisciplinariy), Research Node: ReproTech & Art / Germline Hacks and Designer Babies
Including time spent well in the Swiss Embassy of San Francisco and Garage MCA in Moscow working on Methods of Transgenesis and GMO DIY Crispr Baby workshopoligies.
I also do want to than the Swiss Mechatronic Art Society for the time in residence plotting and making a crying machine and exploding miso neck living gooper gore bioart special effects performance.
We got into the wetness of reproductive technology, open source science, and the text to flesh interface of human germline genome editing. We learned how to read GENbank, FASTA, PubMed and SciHub pubs creatively. We got beyond the intimidating complexity by uploading equally as complex analogical and qualitative artistic data including: accordion music, drawings, collages, poetry and experimental video and more.
We involved people from wildly diverse backgrounds and international origins as is normal for Hackteria a global open house for odd, queer and oblique DIYbioart Hacker tweek and freekerz. We also group-geeked hard and stayed ridiculous about reporter genes, safe harbors, inducible promoters, off target mutations and IVF microinjection.
What we did was amazing. Like truly groundbreaking, wildly silly and depth informative. Beyond the call of duty living on the fumes of Marc's covid pay and minky little eth donations... We taught hybrid simultaneous in-person and online/off--ground... which is a form of super depleting heroism. I think it was super inspiring for those involved and has yet to mature but will make a great database if it continues.
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Mind thGAP
We made three super relaxed bioinformatics primer labs for public understanding of databases of hereditary data (gene scans and gene scrolls) but also an understanding of the social implication of issues of gene piracy, genetic privacy.
- Lab 1 - Transgenic Human Genome Alternatives Project (thGAP)
- Lab 2 - Generic Open-Source Plasmid for Human Arts (GOSPHA)
- Lab 3 - Creative Germline Constructs Bank (CGCB)
Future Plans: We are going to be making an Open ArtSci Call for Creative Science Fiction Writers, Citizen Bioethicists and Untrained Art Critics to critically review the 5 entries we have compiled online on the CGDB. After that we might put some of the results up on GitHub and then make an NFT of them. Then we will call the World Congress on New Reproductive Technology Arts, for a GLOBAL AESTHETIC RESPONSE TO TRANSGENIC HUMANS AS BIOART and work on updating to a ‘real’ database. Oh yeah, and we did come up with a list of fifteen next steps, all of which are near impossible legally and technically so we should. Finally, we wrote a letter to the WHO Expert Advisory Committee on Developing Global Standards for Governance and Oversight of Human Genome Editing. No word back from them but I am sure they got the message. We might need to get their attention.
https://www.hackteria.org/workshops/thgap/
Adam's residency was supported privately by Marc Dusseiller and partially with some of the profits of the Hackteria Crypto Food Fund (HCFF).
Dominik Mahnič (Ljubljana, Slovnenia)
Residency gives me rare opportunity to present, discuss and make different new works influenced by people, the enviroment of Bitwesherai and the city of Zurich. It was an intense experience in a place that offers great working conditions, deep reflections, and a friendly atmosphere.
Dom's residency was supported privately by the Center for Alternative Coconut Research.
Zohar Messeca - Fara AKA the idiot | idiot.io (karkun, Israel)
I have been very lucky to escape the israeli wilderness between Covid lockdowns to spend long month’s geeking like an idiot at the Bitwäscherei hackerspace and SGMK activities of the past year. Had great time sharing my DIY approach and attitude with my latest flexible circuits methods and techniques while spreading idiot.io latest kits and propaganda at multiple workshops. Met plenty of talented local and international freaks/artists with mutual interests and curiosities. Also collaborated on several projects with the locals and made plenty of new friends!!
SGMK network is fantastisch!!! See you soooon!!
- http://idiot.io/ idiot.io
Zohar's residencies were supported by himself. Accommodation was shared with dusjagr and Veli.
Short term visitors
Fransisca Tan
Fransisca Tan / artist statement
“I first visited the Bitwäscherei in August 2022, coinciding with the open lab day. I was immediately smitten with the creative chaos, diversity and infrastructure of this hacker space. Chatting with some local and other visiting international artists I got to exchange on projects and find inspiration while food hacking throughout a lively evening.
This community exchange set the first seeds for future opportunities to collaborate, such as for the performance “Future Food” at Kunsthaus Zürich (Oct 2023, CH), the LLL CoLaboratory in Chang Mai (Jan 2024, TH) and Amazonies Spatiales (Apr 2024, FR).
My experience at this Hackerspace underlines the core of what these community spaces ought to achieve: bring likeminded people together, have late night conversations about random stuff over a club mate and see if inspiration flows to join for a collaboration.”
Ressources & Links
- https://www.hinto.net/de/events/future-food-kunsthaus-zuerich-zuerich-e420326-20.html
- https://www.hackteria.org/hackterialab/cnx-openlab/
- https://amazonies-spatiales.fr/
Biography Fransisca Tan is a creative producer and food experience designer with a background in internet & media, communications and cognitive sciences
Her diverse spectrum of engagement ranges from hosting workshops as science communicator, consulting artists and creatives on project management, to producing events such as festivals, art performances and hybrid residencies. All these root in her second nature as facilitator with a firm belief in a community arts approach.
In her work and art she aspires towards bringing together people from all strides of life and revealing the value of community and collaboration.
Find more on her portfolio on * https://www.fransiscatan.com/
Fran Quero, et al
The visit was part of their µ-residency at GaudiLabs in Luzern, where they shared newest experiments with qLAMP, openDROPs and electro-active bacteria.
Juan Duarte (Berlin / CDMX, Mexico)
Sound spatialisation multichannel instrument
During our short stay I could develop further a new iteration of this sound spatialisation instrument:
This also was thrilling to connect with some members of the community in the lab, specially those who are also making with synthesisers and other sound gadgetry. Although the time to put together the instrument was quite intensive and busy, it was also good to discuss with other colleagues about the instrument’s potential in future. altogether, it was a very productive and fun experience to be here.
Mary Maggic (Vienna / Los Angeles, USA)
Mary Maggic comes to hang out and prototype various art projects and interventions, and geek out in nature!
Some examples of projects:
- Molecular Queering Agency - an experimental performance with a heavy metal hardware fountain for corona safe urine worshipping.
- Lap Dance - motorized panorama camera for collective disobedience on a pink gynecology chair.
- SCOBY Spin Cycle - rotating disc bioreactor for industrialized production of kombucha scoby.
- Genital Panic - 3D printing genitals.
- Weed Brownies (hide them from the kids).
Ewen Chardronnet (Paris, France)
Paula Pin (Lugo, Spain)
coming soon...
František Apfelbeck (Czech Republic / Vale de Saire, France)
When in Zürich I've had the opportunity to organize Cider Tasting at MechArtLab, which for me, is an interesting cross between hackerspace and bio hacking spot with quite a strong artistic approach. For me of course I liked a lot that they do lots of bio stuff, from kombucha artificial skin production, mushroom growing and many others to fermentation so when I've a chance I would like to visit again. Also I've found the building, which is a formal hospital laundry facility very interesting. I would say there are well over ten different projects of the alternative scene which makes a decent foundation for exchange and functioning as kind of independent entity. At the end we have set up outside just by the entrance of the building and were "fishing" for some people to join the core group for our noble activity spending a really nice evening together with open minded people. Next day I've actually joined the MechArtLab group on their trip to Saint Gallen were we have done another tasting event as part of the open doors of Ruum 42 hackerspace and theirs SGMK On-Tour: Chill & Taste happening, fallowed later on by tasting of distillates made by local producer, barbecuing experimental locally made sausages by their creators and so on. It was a really nice finishing of the Switzerland part of my tour and I hope I can pop in again.