Workshop "Demystifying the Æther" by Félicien Goguey (CH) and Matthias Hurtl (AT)

10 months ago

Le Commun

MAPPING FESTIVAL

During this exceptional 5-day workshop, participants will not only learn the basics of the electromagnetic waves that fill the Æther [1], such as radio signals and phantom satellites, but also build their own antenna to receive them. [1] The Æther is a medium that was once supposed to fill all space and support the propagation of electromagnetic waves, an intervening substance through which signals can travel as a means of communication. Watch the presentation of the workshop by clicking here Speakers : Félicien Goguey (CH) / Matthias Hurtl (AT/NL)Dates : from Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 May 2023 Schedule : 10am - 5pm (lunch break 12pm - 1:30pm)Language : English Pre-requisites: all participants have to come with their own computer and to have basic English Age: from 16 years old NB: Limited to 15 people    Workshop description The workshop « Demystifying the Æther » explores the world of electromagnetic waves and their omnipresence in our lives. By taking the visible infrastructure as a starting point, media artist Félicien Goguey and sound artist Matthias Hurtl will introduce the participants to the notion of hertzian space and to the activities conducted within (broadcasting, telephony, aerospace, military, trading, surveillance…). After being introduced to dedicated hardware and Software Defined Radio, participants will aquire radio signals from different frequency bands on their own – not only as a raw material for sound and image – but also to explore and understand the socio-political dimension of this space from a citizen perspective. By doing so, participants delve into the narratives of the invisible signals around us that illustrate the expansive, systemic, and geological attributes of the Technosphere.   Biography of the speakers Matthias Hurtl / MMTHS (AT/NL) is a media artist and researcher exploring the links between sound, electromagnetism and telecommunication networks. His interdisciplinary work takes the form of audio-visual performances, sound installations, fixed media compositions and electronic devices. In recent years, knowledge transfer and demystifying radio technology have become a crucial part of his practice through the intersection of art and education. Félicien Goguey is a media artist and interaction designer who explores the creative potential of programming languages and new technologies to create interactive installations, live performances, applications and connected objects. His main interests lie in the factors responsible for the imperceptibility of communication networks, as well as their political and social consequences.