Seminar My Space, 13.09.2007, Tallinn

History

The autumn of 2006 saw Plektrum festival in cooperation with Estonian Media Artists Union (MARTU), a cross-media production company Niijanaa Audiovisual Communications organizing for the first time a series of lectures and workshops under the themes ““From Loop to Real Time” and “City as a Stage”. The events featured both foreign and Estonian presenters and lecturers focusing both on the theoretical aspects and practical case studies related to the subjects. For example Serbian researcher Larisa Blazic analyzed the topic of visual representation of music, whilst Matthias Fuchs from Austria demonstrated his ingenious Postvinyl video game. A special focus was paid to Finland and the Nordic region with presenters Hanna Harris (“Event cities”) from Helsinki Univeristy and Mauri Kaipanen (Taggin’ Tallinn) from Tallinn University. Also the seminars featured academic discussions from urban reseracher Kaja Pae and semioticians Kaja Kotov and Tiit Remm to name a few. The seminars were supported by Helsinki-Tallinn Euregio and Culminatum Ltd, organizations promoting the twin city concept of Helsinki and Tallinn.

Besides seminars also practical workshops were carried out and Plektrum pioneered the first public DIY VJ workshop. During the session lead by leading Finnish VJ duo, Xploitec, the participants got accustomed to the VJ technology and art of mixing videoclips, as well as circuit bending techniques by Gjis Gieskes, C-Men and Goto 80.

Seminar day 2007

The seminar day “My Space” on 13th September at Von Krahl Theater from 17.00 onwards is evaluating the concept of “Space” and its different manifestations and forms such as personal, community, virtual and urban space in the age of information communication technologies and social networking sites such as Youtube and Myspace.

The starting point of the seminar day is the question “What constitutes my space?” How is my space/or the spaces surrounding the individual in contemporary society formed? Who creates these structures and why? And finally, how can an individual shape and influence these constructions through different strategies and actions.

For example under these broad criteria hot topics such as what constitutes creative cities, the role of location based media art, and how new technologies can be used for enriching our environment are presented and discussed.

The theoretical part of the seminar day will be followed by introduction to the history and development of VJ arts and an open VJ stage where seminar participants can themselves let go and create visuals under the guidance of leading practitioners.

Seminar program

How to create a Creative City? / Jussi Kulonpalo (Finland)

Jussi Kulonpalo, an urban researcher from Helsinki University will focus on the discussion how successful Finnish electronic music and art festivals such as Koneisto, UMF and Flow have contributed to the cultural development and image of their host cities of Helsinki and Turku. Besides documenting the festivals’ development, special attention is paid to role of the public sector subsidies, municipalities and festival organizers’ cooperation and the effects of this, both beneficial and negative, to the festivals themselves as well as the cities in question.

The topic is extremely vital from the perspective of the upcoming Tallinn’s 2011 Culture Capital of Europe project and framework giving valuable insights from international festival experience.

Technologies of location. / Tapio Mäkela (Finland)- Tapio Mäkelä, Finnish multimedia guru and a leader of M-Cult new media research center analyzes how do technologies of location such as GPS influence the perception of locations and how media artists deal with the issue? The presentation will also offer critical viewpoints on concepts of media as a space and spatial virtuality.

New technologies, new city? / speaker to be announced soon! Check Plektrum’s website festival.plektrum.ee

Can new technologies, VJ mixes, LCD screens and a range of imaginable gadgets mixed with social intention, creativity and need for self-expression be used to enlighten our cities? How does this relate to the offical viewpoint and what is the perspective of urban planners and decision makers?

“My space” seminar will feature THE hot discussion and perhaps an new meeting point between artists and administrators under the moderation of top Estonian researchers of the field.

The discussion is moderated by Sten Saluveer (Estonia)- is a producer and creative director working in the fields of film, music and multimedia. He consults different non-profits and is involved in production of several international festivals in addition to Plektrum’s seminars.

The History of and Introduction to VJ-ing / Ville Hyvonen (Finland-Estonia)- internationally acclaimed sound designer, theater producer, musician and VJ Ville Hyvonen will talk about the history of VJ arts introduce the methods and concepts involved in VJ-ing on the basis of his experience from international theater productions with Von Krahl Theater (Estonia) and Smeds Ensemble (Finland).

VJ Panel / Xploitec [Finland], Erki Kannus [Estonia], moderated by Sten Saluveer (Plektrum, Estonia)

In the panel Finnish VJ team Xploitec consisting of Sami Sorvali and Heikki Ryynänen, the creators of mobile projection minivan, Guerilla VJ unit, together with one of the longest performing Estonian VJ’s, Erki Kannus, will share their experience on the everyday of VJ’s arts and how urban surroundings have inspired and contributed to their work.

Open VJ-Stage/Plektrum VJ school 2007

Due to the public demand and success of the 2006 Plektrum VJ school, the Xploitec team and Guerilla VJ bus will host an open VJ stage where everyone who is interested in trying out VJ art and video mixing can have their first try. The tutors, as well as festival’s star guests will how and assist You with the essential know-how and help You get started at interpreting the music into images. No previous knowledge of VJing, art education or computer skills are needed- just bring along a creative attitude and a laptop if possible.

The organizers will provide a number or free laptops for the session, but keep in mind that the number of seats is limited.

Also the mobile projection mini-van, the Guerilla VJ unit is available for inspection at the front of Von Krahl Theater for curious participants.

The supporters of the “My Space” seminar day and Guerilla VJ unit are Helsinki-Tallinn Euregio, a NPA developing and promoting cross-border and cooperation between the cities of Helsinki and Tallinn, and regions of Uusimaa and Harjumaa, and Culminatum Ltd, a development company owned by the Uusimaa Regional Council to promote utilization of the highest international standard of knowledge and expertise in business, job creation and regional development.

Contact information and registration

Sten-Kristian Saluveer

“My space” seminar coordinator

Call: +372 51 65242

Write: sten@Plektrum.ee

festival.plektrum.ee

Plektrum introduction

Final program

Programm eesti keeles