Tech_2 draws on the network of people, ideas and experiences from the tech_nicks programme in 2000, but aims to work in a more focussed way with specified tasks, constituencies and user groups. The programmes are devised by MAP working closely with artists and media producers, and in collaboration with the host venues.
In Bristol the theme of the event was "Independent Infrastructures". The core participants of the 8 day workshop were all involved in building up social, community or cultural communication infrastructures - servers, open publishing systems, spaces and / or social projects developing new software tools for specific social purposes. The week was organised and programmed in collaboration with the Cube cinema, although due to a fire in the cube's building, the workshops were re-located at last minute to the great surroundings of Windmill Hill City Farm (daytime) and The Hatchet pub (evening events).
In Leeds, tech_2 spread itself over a 6 week period and was based at Archway Housing Resources Centre in Chapeltown, organised in the partnership of Pavilion and the Switched-On training course. A week-long workshop, "Archway Versions", was an opportunity to work intensively with a group of 10 centre members and associates. This workshop was an opportunity for the participants to develop new content, learn new multimedia skills, and also to programme a showcase event for Black History Month, scheduled for 13 October 2001, at Leeds Central Library. There was also a small presentation event at Host Media Centre to round off that week, with guests including Jackie Christie (broadcaster and community artist), Mark Iration (Iration Steppas sound system), Breakers Unify, Audrey Okyere Fosu (Hull Community Radio). After the workshop week the participants had a month to pull together the event and their own new content.
13 October was a brilliant day with presentations ("Black Presence in... "seminar) during the day time, and the evening gig, "Straight Outta Leeds", with 3 new multimedia works by the workshop participants and DJ, dance and poetry performances from their invited guests.
The workshop facilitators for Leeds Tech_2 were Carole Wright (lead), Jason Skeet, Graham Maynard and Ruth Eccles with special shout to Andy from Switched On.
All the info for the forthcoming Tech_2 workshop in Lancaster and Cumbria is at http://tech2.southspace.org.
In Lancaster the tech_2 residency was based for a whole month at the folly - a small gallery and media centre and had the overall title "grow your own media lab". The first two weeks was taken up with a two week occupation of the gallery by Redundant Technology Initiative from Sheffield, and a new group: Access to Recycled Technology (a2rt) from Birmingham. During these two weeks old computers donated to the project from lancaster and sheffield were repaired, rebuilt and loaded up with the Linux operating system ready to be deployed as access computers in either Sheffield, Birmingham or Lancaster. For the next week the project hosted a short course in renewable energy systems taught by wind power expert Hugh Piggott for 20 participants. for the final part of the project we de-camped to Grizedale forest for rural wireless communication experiments, wind and solar powered.
Project partners: Folly, Lancaster, Access to Recycled Technology, Birmingham, Redundant Technology Initiative, Sheffield, Grizedale Cumbria and many other participants.- Full Programme and participants info: http://tech2.southspace.org
- Open Publishing Documentation site http://tech2.southspace.net
- Straight Outta Leeds site http://straightouttaleeds.org.uk
- Tech_2 newspaper: pdf download (beware! 8MB - original format is A2 - this is a 4 x A4 version)
- Notes towards Summer 2002 project:here
Unfortunately the mailing list archive for planning tech_2 in bristol has been lost :(
Tech_2 has been experimenting with on-line tools and methods aiming to make transparant and efficient working processes. The programme and info. site is database driven: it allows participants to update their own biographical info and also has private sections accessible to participants only to share contact information, travel plans and so on. (made by Safetycat inc). The documentation site is based on "active" software by developed by the IMC geeks.
Tech_2 is funded by the Arts Council of England through the National Touring Programme. The original application is here
Links:
- The Cube Cinema
- Pavilion
- Switched On
- Windmill Hill City Farm
- Juha's tech_2 pics (nice ones... have a look)
