7. Open Lab Expo - July 4

THE EXPO

Current working idea: 

This page provides details on the expo for the expo researchers/exhibitors, information for the public will be posted on the home page. 

For chats see the #nmnt Discord channel.

GROUPS

Add group collaborators (names) or solo, still open to collaborate, first ideas.

If you are working in a group, add who will be available to be interviewed at the talkshow (one or two per group).

SOLO:

Niels - Idea: visualising information/possibility space

Ásbjörn

Kasper - Idea: merging the physical/digital (& robotics)

Thijs

Titus

GROUP:

Simone & Pien (Simone is available for interview)

Xiao, Ingrid, Olaf & Mitchell

Bart & Marthe: both available for interview, Marthe is present at our installation.

Carlo & Caitlin - [Both available to be interviewed]

Daphne, Veerle & Peng - [Daphne & Veerle are available for interview]

Avita & Orissa

Kamil, Melle and Vitor

OPEN TO JOIN A GROUP:

THE THEME

The theme of the expo is 'OPEN'.

With respect to theme, don't let this constrain you. Specifically do not take it too literal, but make a connection to the underlying meaning(s) of the theme - let it inspire you. 

Have a look at 2. Past NMNT Editions to get a flavor for the themes and diversity of works in the previous years.

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 projects are expected to be more 'meaty' on the conceptual side compared to the Lab 1 and 2 projects.

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:

In terms of the 'how', good projects often achieve this with minimal technical means, it's the concept and experience that counts. See what you can strip away from your project without affecting the experience and concept - keep it simple. Technology should become almost invisible or at least not detract visitors from the experience.

Physical is preferable over pure digital; try to avoid 'media tech cliches'. There is no requirement to use whatever form of technology even.

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 (see Past NMNT Editions).

I may 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 (4 by exception). Unless you feel strongly about a personal solo project you want to do, teaming up is highly recommended.

What is the setting and who is the audience?

<Note that the below in based on the 2019 text. This year will be more of a mix of offline and online audience but the general idea still applies>

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.

LOCATION

Digital Realm (Platform TBA)

 DEADLINES & HOW YOU CAN HELP 

RESOURCES

Note that we just introduced a lending system as well that you can check (for the materials in Maarten's/Marcello's offices). At this point 3/4 of the equipment is listed or less so if you want to see what we have, talk to the staff.