6. Open Lab Expo -  June 3 and 4

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THE EXPO

This page provides details on the expo for the expo participants, information for the public will be posted on the home page. Discussions can go on the forum thread.

If you are a Facebook user, please help us promote the event by signing up to the Facebook event, sharing it, and inviting people to it!

The expo will be at Vrijplaats Leiden. Take a minute to read more about their history and philosophy (in Dutch). See here for their events (facebook, web).

Date/times:

• • Fri June 3

    • Build up from 09:00 AM (if you really need to build up or test ealier let Peter know)

    • Expo open for visitors 15:00-20:30. We will have visitors come in at 15:00 sharp!

  • Sat June 4

    • Expo open for visitors 12:00-18:00

On Friday May 13 after the morning class we will visit the Vrijplaats from around 13:30 (after class) so that you can experience the location.

As part of regular Vrijplaats programming there will be DJs on Friday evening (21:00 onwards) and on Saturday a vegan cafe (19:00 onwards) followed by live electronic music (21:00).

THE ASSIGNMENT

What is expected?

The goal of the final assignment is simply to create a mediatech / creative science project that you will be proud of and that is memorable.

The overall theme of the expo is 'Futures'. With respect to this umbrella theme, don't let this constrain you. Specifically do not take it too literally. Projects don't need to situated in the future, and shouldn't be simplistically utopian or dystopian. The book cover text of Speculative Everything that we discussed in class is a nice example of direction - speculative design that is open to discussion, and could also provide an alternative view into the present or even the past rather than just the future. See also the front page of the web site.

Good projects tend to have a strong concept, focus and in a natural fashion evoke an experience with an observer. Good projects have a story to it without becoming too obvious, artificial or pretentious. Less good projects are all over the place or attempt to be more than they achieve.

The audience will be a mix of people, and you can assume they are interested, but don't assume a media tech background or anything.

Good projects may ask a clear and intriguing question, with an answer that makes you think (i.e. not too obvious). They may have a link to some underlying scientific research. Or some may be even research - gathering data on the spot.

In terms of the 'how', good projects often achieve this with minimal technical means. Some projects quite on the opposite tackle a difficult technical problem, or completely repurpose a technology for different ends. But technical complexity is certainly not an end and not necessarily a plus, it's the concept and experience that counts. 

Good projects start off with some clear idea, but may change course while being built, without getting lost. Through prototyping and tinkering you may learn something new and adapt.

Don't know where to start? If you don't have an idea, don't start with the project ('the solution') but find a topic or question that interests you first - browse what we have discussed and the various new media project repositories for instance for inspiration (but think about creating something different). When you have defined some kind of topic or question of interest, coming up with a specific topic will be easier. Look at last year's projects for examples but don't imitate.

I will make a selection of output from earlier assignments (Old New Media, OF in Space) that I will ask to include as well if feasible.

You can work in groups of up to 3 people.

What is the setting and who is the audience?

The expo will not be a traditional static exposition, but more like an open Lab, and may cover interactive or scientific approaches to art, or artistic and creative approaches to research and science.  Many of the installations will be interactive, some of these are early studies, others will be more like polished end products, and the students will be around to answer questions about the concepts, ideas and methods behind their work, and even hack some more on the fly. In other words, it will not be a pristine museum environment, but more like feel like a creative workshop or atelier, that has a mix of finished projects as well as prototypes.

We are also considering small 'events' which could small how-to sessions or presentations. If you are interested in running one of these (or devote your project to it) let me know.

We will not be targeting just the usual creative crowd, but also the more general, open minded and curious audience who happen to walk into the expo unplanned. You shouldn't underestimate your audience, but the project should be engaging, fascinating, interesting to the casual visitor.

 DEADLINES 

• Thursday May 19: put work title, group members and up to 3 sentences as a teaser on the front page

• Monday May 30: Longer description than the web site teaser and will be used to print project cards, potentially create some leaflet etc. For completeness this is purely directed at expo visitors so no tech details. I will also ask you to post a project description under the portfolio section but this can also be completed in the week after the event.

• Final project description under portfolio: first version before expo start; can be refined with actual expo photos etc post event.

LOGISTICS

To respect the  some of the background and principles of De Vrijplaats (including the veganist restaurant) please do not include live animals (with the exception of humans :)) in your installation. Should you have any questions on this email Peter.

We cant make structural changes (nails etc) but other than that pretty much all is allowed. There is power and there is wireless and that's pretty much it. So also bring your own extension cables / power cords if you need any. The place will not be completely darkened.

Media tech wont organize the equipment & resources for you this more for you to share what media tech eqpt is already in use as there are ltd resources (speakers etc). Talk to Nanda to see whether projectors are available, in the past a small number were but last year a projector was lost by a student so the policy might have changed. Make a note below if you have 'reserved' certain resources or have resources on offer.

Equipment list:

• On offer

  • Peter has two Core Duo PCs on offer (mini tower or desktop) if you need one for your project (to be returned into the media tech eqpt pool afterwards if still intact). Just drop Peter an email with a short description what you want to use these for.

  • Jeroen can maybe arrange for one extra video projector, if more projectors are required than the MediaTech programme (c.q. Nanda) can supply.

  • FYI there are two new (well new, newly donated) projectors that can be used (do test them first and they dont have cables yet).

• Reserved

  • Speakers?

• ....

Space: 

The location consists of 2 spaces, one approx 15 *6 (upstairs) and one 11 x 7m, with potentially an additional space for a project in the bar area, space outside etc. Agree the set up with the other participants and be respectful of each other needs.

If you want to see the space, just drop by when De Vrijplaats is open or has events (check their website).

What project goes where:

There is a floorplan on Drive where you can mark your spot ( it is not a claim but an inventory) 

• • Helene and Emily - downstairs, the small space to the right (when you face the street) without windows

  • Sieta, Laurens, Els - Upstairs in the theatre room, preferably in a corner, we need a space of 2.5:3 metres

  • Carlos, Lucia, Helena - downstairs, small space to the right (when you face the street) with windows

  • Riccardo and Jonathan - Downstairs, on the left  of the room without the window (when you face the street).

  • Jonna - Outside.

Generator Room (upstairs)