We want to express our gratitude to Ars Electronica for their letter of support for the Piksel Festival. Ars Electronica is a leading festival and center at the intersection of art, science, technology, and society—both in Europe and possibly worldwide. Thank you, Ars Electronica!

Linz, 09.12.2024

Letter of Support
PIKSEL Festival

To whom it may concern
Ms. Veronika Liebl

DECLARES

To Gisle Frøysland and Maite Cajaraville, Piksel Produksjoner, Strandgaten 207, 5004 Bergen, Norway (hereinafter referred to as PIKSEL), that our institution supports the work of PIKSEL as a pivotal organisation in the field of digital arts.

Ars Electronica brings forward a comprehensive approach in confronting techno-cultural phenomena and enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence. It its four divisions as a major festival producer, museum operator and R&D lab, Ars Electronica has amassed tremendous knowhow at the nexus of the digital transformation, science and technology, society and the arts.

Since 1979 we celebrate once a year the Ars Electronica Festival. More than 1,000 artists, scientists, developers, designers, entrepreneurs and activists are coming to Linz, Austria, to address central questions of our future. For five days, everything revolves around groundbreaking ideas and grand visions, unusual prototypes and innovative collaborations, inspiring art and groundbreaking research, extraordinary performances and irritating interventions, touching sounds and rousing concerts.

We are convinced that PIKSEL is one of Europe’s leading partners in bridging arts, science and technology, leading to novel ways of innovation as well as societal and environmental change. The knowledge created here over the past decades nurtures an important dialogue on European level and supports not only artists but contributes also to digital literacy.

Yours faithfully,

For Ars Electronica Linz GmbH & Co KG
Veronika Liebl
Managing Director

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Please sign our petition: https://www.change.org/p/petition-for-continued-support-of-piksel-festival-by-the-bergen-cultural-council

To:

@bergenhoyre

@ungehoyre

@hoyre

@apibergen

@arbeiderpartiet

@Fremskrittspartiet

@bergenslisten

@svparti

@degronne

@venstre.no

@ungevenstre

@inpartiet.no

@raudt_bergen

@senterparti

@pensjonistpartiets_ungdom

@bergen_frp

@bergen_sv

@bergenmdg

@bergensenterparti

@bergenvenstre

@bergenungevenstre

@bergenhus_ap

The letters of support keep coming in. Our dear partner in Linz, Stadtwerkstatt, has sent us a heartfelt message. Thank you, @stwst_linz

Stadtwerkstatt (STWST) is a cultural center in Linz, Austria, founded as an artists’ collective in 1979. It has played a key role in media history through significant new media projects and continues to foster artistic and citizen-generated content. The center includes four departments—New Art Contexts, Discursive Media, Club Culture, and Cafe Strom—and hosts initiatives like servus.at, focusing on hacktivism and Open Culture, and Radio FRO, which produces citizen-driven radio shows. Operating as a networked society, Stadtwerkstatt actively explores and experiments with alternatives to current network challenges.

@stwst_linz

Please sign our petition: https://www.change.org/p/petition-for-continued-support-of-piksel-festival-by-the-bergen-cultural-council

To:

@bergenhoyre

@ungehoyre

@hoyre

@apibergen

@arbeiderpartiet

@Fremskrittspartiet

@bergenslisten

@svparti

@degronne

@venstre.no

@ungevenstre

@inpartiet.no

@raudt_bergen

@senterparti

@pensjonistpartiets_ungdom

@bergen_frp

@bergen_sv

@bergenmdg

@bergensenterparti

@bergenvenstre

@bergenungevenstre

@bergenhus_ap

We want to share our heartfelt thanks to David ‘Jhave’ Johnston (Nov 22nd, 2024), Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Digital Narrative, University of Bergen (https://cdn.uib.no/), for his invaluable support letter.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to strongly advocate for the continued support of the Piksel Festival. As a Canadian postdoctoral researcher currently working at the University of Bergen, I bring an international perspective to the value of this unique cultural institution.

Even a decade before arriving in Bergen, I was aware of Piksel’s reputation from Canada. While digital arts and open-source software development are not my primary field of practice, Piksel’s influence extends far beyond these domains, speaking to its extraordinary impact on global creative and technological communities.

In our current global context, where corporate interests often dominate technological

development, Piksel stands as a beacon of alternative possibilities. The festival demonstrates how technology can serve the common good through open collaboration and shared knowledge. The dedication of Piksel’s community to open-source software and art represents more than just technical innovation – it exemplifies a path toward cooperative human flourishing in our digital age.

Bergen’s support of this modest yet influential festival yields remarkable returns in international prestige and cultural significance. Consider:

● Piksel’s reputation for combining technical excellence with artistic vision

● Its role in promoting collaborative, open-source practices

● The festival’s contribution to Bergen’s identity as a forward-thinking cultural center

● Its demonstration of Norwegian commitment to innovative, accessible technology

The impact of Piksel extends far beyond what can be quantified in traditional metrics. Through its dedication to open-source principles and unselfish sharing of knowledge, Piksel helps position Bergen as a visionary city that values both technological advancement and social responsibility.

For a relatively small investment, Bergen gains recognition as a hub for progressive

technological arts and collaborative innovation. The festival serves as a model for how cities can foster cultural initiatives that have global resonance while remaining true to values of openness and cooperation.

As you consider future funding allocations, I urge you to recognize Piksel’s unique role in enhancing Bergen’s international reputation and its contribution to the global dialogue about technology’s role in society. Supporting Piksel is an investment in Bergen’s future as a leader in cultural innovation and cooperative technological practices.

Sincerely,

David ‘Jhave’ Johnston, (Nov 22nd 2024)
Postdoctoral Researcher.
Center for Digital Narrative. University of Bergen https://cdn.uib.no/

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As some of you heard, Piksel’s city funding was suddenly cut without warning. Please sign our petition. Feel free to write a comment, a support letter and/or share the petition. https://www.change.org/…/petition-for-continued-support…

PIKSEL24

#InteractiveMedia

#ElectronicArt

#NewMediaArt

#Piksel

#Bergen

#InternationalNetwork

#TechnologicalFreedom

#LiveElectronics

#ExperimentalMusic

#ElectronicMusic

#LiveCoding

#FreeLibreOpenSource

#SoftwareProjects

#ArtAndPolitics

#DigitalTechnology

#OpenSourceMovement

#ArtTechEconomy

#Festival

#Exhibtions

#Workshops

#Performances

Piksel24 is supported by

@kulturradet

@kulturdir

@bergenkommune_ung

@vestlandfylke

@EFFEAResidencies

@digitalkunst.festival

@prohelvetia

@CultureMovesEurope

@COST

@nordiskkulturkontakt

In collaboration with

@asso_apo33

@stwst_linz

@newcontexts

@madlab_cy

@centerfordigitalnarrative

@unibergen

@cyprusuniversitytechnology

@aaltomedialab

@aaltouniversity

To:

Bergen Høyre

Unge Høyre

Høyre

Arbeiderpartiet i Bergen

Arbeiderpartiett

Fremskrittspartiet

Bergenslisten

It is with deep disappointment that we have learned of the Bergen City Council’s plans to withdraw funding from Piksel Festival, effective from next year. Piksel has been a pioneer of digital art and technological experimentation in Bergen for over two decades, contributing significantly to both the local and international cultural landscape.

Please SIGN the petition

Over the years, Piksel has aligned closely with the City Council’s stated goals of promoting cultural diversity, fostering Bergen’s international profile, and engaging the public in innovative forms of media and electronic arts. Contrary to these priorities, however, the proposed discontinuation of funding not only threatens Piksel’s future but also jeopardizes Bergen’s reputation as a forward-thinking city that embraces cutting-edge artistic forms.

The withdrawal of financial support for Piksel sends a message at odds with Bergen’s vision of a diverse and vibrant cultural sector. It stands to dismantle years of carefully nurtured networks, programming, and practices developed with the Council’s support, which have brought over 1,000 international artists to a diverse audience to Bergen. Piksel’s model of collaboration has been instrumental in providing space for experimental art and in strengthening the city’s reputation as a European hub for creative digital and media arts.

In the 22 years of its existence, Piksel has successfully bridged art and technology through events and installations, broadening cultural participation by pioneering programs for kids to learn electronics in creative ways, or by making digital art accessible to individuals with limited mobility through the Inclusive Digital Laboratory for Art Experimentation (IDLE), a project supported by the Council and Kulturdirektoratet for more than three years and now at risk of disappearing.

We firmly believe that the abrupt removal of funding will disrupt the progress Bergen has made towards establishing a lively and innovative cultural scene. The loss of Piksel is likely to diminish the visibility and growth of Bergen’s cultural sector, limiting opportunities for emerging artists and creatives whose contributions have made Bergen’s culture richer and more diverse.

We urgently ask the Bergen City Council to reconsider its decision and continue its support for Piksel, recognizing it as a key partner in realizing the city’s goals for cultural innovation and community engagement. Without Piksel, Bergen’s cultural ecosystem risks becoming narrower and less representative of the diverse voices that have made it a thriving hub for contemporary arts.

Please sign this petition to call on the Bergen City Council to secure a future for Piksel and, with it, the diverse and dynamic cultural identity of Bergen.

https://www.change.org/p/petition-for-continued-support-of-piksel-festival-by-the-bergen-cultural-council

PIKSEL festival for kunst og fri teknologi
PIKSEL 22 years in Bergen

PIKSEL24 is coming with an array of artistic and and tech-driven workshops both online and in person.

Across two days, participants can join the OHANDA.ONE team’s lab to collaboratively envision the design of a sustainable, open-source research vessel—covering cabin layouts, workspaces, and labs with an emphasis on transparency and community-driven governance. Jordan Magnunson, will teach how to create subversive videopoem games that prioritize reflection over reaction and symbolism over spectacle. Meanwhile, Søren Peter Mørch introduces live coding with Punctual, a GLSL shader-based functional language, bringing visuals to life in real-time performance coding. Finally, Sonus Verbosa by Anastasia Melandinou dives into audio-reactive typography design with p5.js, merging sound and visuals.

For those attending PIKSEL24 remotely, there is an online session on November 22^nd with James Alec Hardy’s Building Environments in the Metaverse workshop introducing tools for creating immersive, VR-compatible spaces on free platforms like voxels.com.

Please send an email to piksel24(at)piksel(dot)no to book your seat in any of the workshops, writing the title of the workshop in the subject. Thank you!

The link for the online workshops will be send to the participants some days before the workshops will be hosted.

All the workshops will be on NOV 22^nd except OHANDA.ONE that last 2 days: Nov 22-23.

(Please get the final schedule updates through our website: piksel.no OR in our social media channels)

IN PERSON

NOV 22^nd & 23^rd @ Alt Går Bra Lokale

• OHANDA.ONE – Juergen Neumann (DK), Tuomo Tammenpää (FI), Julian Priest (DE) @ Alt Gar Bra Lokale

NOV 22^nd @ Studio 207 / Piksel

• How to Make a “Videogame Poem”: Creating Subversive Games with Open Source Tools,  Jordan Magnuson (US)
• Live coded visuals in Punctual, Søren Peter Mørch (DK)
• Sonus Verbosa, Anastasia Melandinou (GR)

ONLINE

NOV 22nd @ BBB Room I – link (TBA)

• Building Environments in the Metaverse – James Alec Hardy (UK)

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OHANDA.ONE – Juergen Neumann (DK), Tuomo Tammenpää (FI), Julian Priest (DE)

@Altgarbra Lokale
November 22^nd and 23^rd
IRL (In Real Life)

PIKSEL24 embraces the workshop OHANDA.ONE, a 2 days LAB in Bergen.

The Ohanda One workshop centers on envisioning a zero-emission ocean vessel and research platform that promotes sustainable oceanic exploration while fostering collaboration and innovation. Planned as a hub for open science, software, and hardware, Ohanda One will operate with no passengers, as everyone on board participates actively in research and daily life. The vessel aims to support up to 150 individuals, each contributing to the project’s goals of sustainable energy, reduced carbon emissions, and environmental research.

The workshop delves into specific themes critical to realizing this vision. Topics include developing self-sustaining systems for life on board, advancing green technology for efficient energy use, and designing both the physical space and social structure on the ship to promote collaboration. A key part of the workshop is planning the vessel’s design, including the layout of cabins, workspaces, and labs, to maximize both function and comfort.

Participants also explore open-source tools for project transparency, governance, and funding strategies, essential to the project’s communal ethos and long-term sustainability.

By the end of the workshop, participants aim to map out the steps toward building the Ohanda One, considering technical, social, and environmental factors that will shape this innovative and collaborative maritime platform​

The OHANDA.ONE team: Juergen Neumann, a Berlin-based artist, activist, IT consultant, and entrepreneur; Julian Priest, an interdisciplinary artist from Germany; and Tuomo Tammenpää, a designer, entrepreneur, and artist.

Sonus Verbosa, Anastasia Melandinou (GR)

@Studio207 / Piksel Library
November 22^nd – 12:00- 14:00 h
IRL (In Real Life)

The workshop studies a meta-linguistic environment where typography, words, letters, the shapes that convey a meaning gets enriched by sound giving them new multi sensory meanings.

In the workshop the users will get the basic guides how to create audio reactive typography in p5js and on the next step each one will be encouraged to make its own modification creating its own sound reactive font.

Anastasia Melandinou is a graphic and motion designer from Greece with an artistic direction in creating motion narratives and typographic explorations with new technologies. She had been awarded twice with the Greek design award (EBGE) in the section of experimental design, has created her own tools with coding to push the design limits further and is always in to combine typography with another technologies that will create a visual engagement.

How to Make a “Videogame Poem”: Creating Subversive Games with Open Source Tools,  Jordan Magnuson (US)

@Studio207 / Piksel Library
November 22^nd – 16:00- 19:00 h
IRL (In Real Life)

Can videogames be a form of poetry? It’s a provocative question that challenges the traditional boundaries between art forms. While poetry is often seen as a medium for introspection and cultural critique, videogames are typically associated with industrialism, consumerism, and resource consumption—more often about conquering worlds than contemplating them. However, these assumptions can be subverted.

In this hands-on workshop, Jordan Magnuson will guide participants through the process of creating “game poems”—small, personal, and subversive videogames that prioritize reflection over reaction and symbolism over spectacle. Using accessible open-source tools such as Twine and Bitsy, attendees will learn how to craft interactive experiences that challenge traditional game design and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive digital culture.

Participants will leave the workshop with a completed “game poem” of their own, along with the skills and knowledge to continue exploring this unique form of creative expression. No prior game development experience is required, making this workshop suitable for artists, writers, and anyone interested in experimenting with digital storytelling and short-form game design.

NOTE: Attendees should bring their own laptop with them to this workshop. (A tablet or smartphone can work in a pinch, but not ideal.) Headphones are useful but optional.

Jordan Magnuson is an experimental game designer and new media artist who seeks to challenge and push out expectations around videogames. Jordan’s serious games, art games, “notgames,” and “game poems” have been featured by Wired, PC Gamer, Le Monde, and others, shown at festivals and exhibitions around the world, and nominated for a variety of awards including the New Media Writing Prize and the IndieCade Grand Jury Award. Jordan is currently Senior Lecturer in Games and Media Art at the University of Southampton, and 2024-25 Fulbright Fellow in Digital Culture at the University of Bergen.

https://www.jordanmagnuson.com

Live coded visuals in Punctual, Søren Peter Mørch (DK)

@Studio207 / Piksel
November 22^nd – 16:00- 19:00 h
IRL (In Real Life)

Learn how to make live visuals using coding. This workshop will be an introduction to Punctual, a functional language based on GLSL shaders. It is more compact that GLSL making it faster to type during a live performance. Punctual runs in the browser, so there is no need for installing anything. Punctual is also part of Estuary so it can be used alongside other live coding languages for collaborative and networked performances.

The workshop will be hosted by Søren Peter Mørch aka darch, a visualist and live coder from Copenhagen. In 2019 he discovered live coding and co-funded Live Coders Collective Copenhagen. Ever since he have been teaching himself and others how to make visuals with code by hosting workshops and algoraves.

Links to my portfolio and socials:

darch.dk (older cv)
instagram.com/darchdk
facebook.com/darchdk
facebook.com/s0renpeter
norrebro.space/@sorenpeter

Building Environments in the Metaverse – James Alec Hardy (UK)

@BBB Room I – LINK / Piksel
November 22^nd – 12:00- 14:00 h
Online

An introductory workshop on creating immersive environments online (for free).

Focusing on the available online metaverse tools which are currently free, or have a freemium model, to utilise the virtual space and create an interconnected metaverse across different worlds and platforms.

Starting with the free spaces which can be built in the game world www.voxels.com

Simple block building and drag’n’drop editing tools to create a VR compatible space which can be connected together with reciprocating links.

Needed:

Internet connection
Metamask browser extension (to create free login to voxels)
PC or Mac with mouse and keyboard
Using site building tools at www.voxels.com
(Alternatively Spatial.io as an alternative TBD)

James Alec Hardy is a pioneering multimedia artist, using analog video technology and digital mediums since 2002 to craft immersive, dynamic installations. His unique aesthetic draws from three decades of screen-based culture, rooted in the D.I.Y. punk ethos and an enduring fascination with analog-to-digital transitions. Central to his work is a studio packed with legacy broadcast equipment salvaged from decommissioned studios, allowing him to produce electronic feedback video and modular sound pieces.

Hardy blends traditional and digital techniques, integrating 3D environments, VR production, and blockchain-supported technology to connect virtual spaces with tangible artworks. His work spans live performance and sculpture, fostering an interactive engagement with audiences worldwide. Over the past two decades, Hardy’s art has been featured in numerous international exhibitions, including biennales in Pakistan, Belgium, and Malta. Notably, in 2019, his work appeared daily as an ident for ITV and was showcased at the Saatchi Gallery in an exhibition on rave culture’s history. Hardy’s impact is further evidenced by his performances at prestigious venues like Tate Modern and Tate Britain, as well as exhibitions at international art fairs.

https://kristinhjellegjerde.com/artists/111-james-alec-hardy/overview

An international festival for society, electronic art and open source computer and technological freedom. This year festival focus on: global media chaos, geopolitical tensions, open knowledge, environmental awareness, new developments in remote performance using IoT, millitary AI, surveillance and much more.

Sign up here

Join us in bringing this vibrant event to life by volunteering in one of the following areas:

Rigging
Camera/Documentation
Exhibition Hosts
Kitchen (simple serving)
Runners/Tech Support

If you’re ready to dive in and be part of something special, we’d love to have you on board!

PIKSEL24
21-24 Nov – Bergen – Norway

Piksel is an international festival for electronic art and technological freedom and involves participants from more than a dozen countries exchanging ideas, coding, presenting art and software projects, doing workshops, performances, and discussions on the aesthetics and politics of free technologies.

You will receive a festival pass with full access to all our events, a festival t-shirt and poster, a work certificate, and an experience for life!

Or send an email to prod (AT) piksel.no with the subject line “Volunteer Piksel Festival 24.”

Looking forward to hear back from you!

Bergen, Norway 21-24 Nov– Art lovers in Bergen are buzzing with curiosity as they observe a decline in exhibitions featuring diverse groups of artists and artworks. Many galleries have shifted their focus to solo exhibitions or site-specific projects, leaving the community to ponder: where are the exhibitions that unite multiple artists and provide a broader, more panoramic perspective on contemporary themes?

Amidst this shift, Piksel, the festival for electronic art and technological freedom, continues to stand strong in this guerrilla warfare of creativity. Now in its 22nd edition, the Piksel festival is set to arrive in Bergen with a robust lineup of artists presenting a significant electronic art exhibition. The festival will feature two nights of audiovisual performances at Østre, workshops, and presentations at Studio207—a shared space located at Strandgaten 207, home to both Piksel and Borealis, as well as various venues around the city.

Piksel is where new media, art, hacking, and DIY culture converge. This year festival presents the opportunity for local artists to connect with active media labs based in Europe. Artist-researchers from APO33 (France), MADLAB (Cyprus), and STWST (Linz) will gather in Bergen to present a new edition of MEDIA()MESS, an intermedia artwork that explores the disconnections in our mediated realities through audiovisual performances, media activism, and collaborative research.

Download PressPictures
Download 1stPressNote ENGLISH (doc) (PDF)

The festival also highlights sustainable ocean research and seafaring. Three visionary artists and engineers are behind the groundbreaking Ohanda.One Project, a utopian zero-emission ocean vessel designed to revolutionize sustainable ocean research. This mobile collaborative workspace and research platform aims to connect artists, scientists, and environmental organizations, fostering innovation while promoting open knowledge and environmental awareness. The ongoing workshop at Strandgaten 207 will serve as a hub for creative minds to tackle the pressing challenges facing our oceans.

The exhibitions will showcase more than 20 artists, theming video games and poetry, artificial intelligence warfare, privacy and the deep net, society defense strategies, and the ethical and environmental impact of technology. Visitors can expect interactive installations and experimental media, alongside live electronics, witnessing a fusion of technology and art that redefines live experiences.

Join us at the Piksel Festival 2024 from the 21^st to the 24^th of November in Bergen, and be part of a transformative artistic journey that challenges perceptions and sparks dialogue around the pressing issues of our time.

PIKSEL24 HASHTAGS
#InteractiveMedia, #LiveElectronics, #ExperimentalMusic, #ElectronicMusic, #LiveCoding, #NewMediaArt, #Piksel, #ElectronicArt, #TechnologicalFreedom, #Bergen, #InternationalNetwork, #FreeLibreOpenSource, #SoftwareProjects, #Workshops, #Performances, #ArtAndPolitics, #DigitalTechnology, #OpenSourceMovement, #ArtTechEconomy

Pictures: Audiovisual performance – Δ [Delta] – Miha Godec – Østre Saturday night
Exhibition and Workshop – Ohanda.one – Juergen Neumann, Tuomo Tammenpää, Julian Priest – Studio207
Audiovisual Performance MEDIA()MESS – APO33 (France), MADLAB (Cyprus), PIKSEL (Bergen), and STWST (Linz) Østre Friday night
Interactive installation – Here’s the Information We Collect- Tansy Xiao – Østre exhibition
Interactive 3D Game – Colateral Vertigo – Chico Ortiz de Carvalho – Piksel Exhibition
Interactive installation – Bioart – Organalog – Miha Godec – Piksel exhibition
Artificial Intelligence installation – Death Mother: As Above, So Below (2024) – Tor-Finn Malum Fitje – Piksel exhibition

Welcome to the Piksel Satellite Performance Event for ICLC the 2024 International Conference on Live Coding (ICLC), Shanghai 2024.

The International Conference on Live Coding (ICLC) is a global platform dedicated to exploring technologies and philosophies interpreting computer code as gesture within live performances. Hosted by NYU Shanghai, ICLC fosters dialogue and innovation within the live coding community worldwide.

On June 8^th guest artists Blaž Pavlica from Slovenia and Flor de Fuego based in Germany, perform the virtual instrument through Hydra instances live coding within IDLE, the Inclusive Digital Laboratory for Experimental Art at Studio 207 in Bergen.

Date: June 8th
Time: 23:00-00:00 CEST
Where: Studio 207, Strandgaten 207, Bergen and Online -> https://www.twitch.tv/pikselfest
Entrance: Free

The Inclusive Digital Laboratory for Experimental Art (IDLE), based in Studio 207, Bergen, is an innovative art project focused on making art more accessible via the internet. Initiated by Piksel, IDLE has undergone significant development, including the establishment of a virtual gallery, integration of IoT systems into Studio 207, and the creation of virtual audio and visual instruments for remote performances. https://idle.piksel.org/

IDLE innovative virtual instruments: IDLE is inviting local and international artists to challenge IDLE’s performing possibilities. During the EFFEA residency last year, guest artists Blaž and Flor de Fuego, contributed to create a virtual instrument. On June 8^th they will perform at the collaborative playground in the virtual gallery and extend its influence to the physical Studio 207.

Virtual Instruments are abstract instruments in the virtual space that can be musical or visual and they work taking into account the position of the avatars in the space, or their interaction with others. Collaborative interactions affect the physical and virtual gallery changing the color of the led lights, or applying different visual and audio effects over both venues.

Artists, art students and audiovisual performers are welcome to participate in the workshops to learn how to use the virtual instruments and create new performances using the developed tools. Join us the 13^th and 20^th of june. Participants will perform right after the workshops on public events!

Full program Live Coding at Piksel Fest Spill 2024

June 8^th 23-24h: Satellite event in Bergen produced for the International conference for Live Coding in Shanghai (ICLC). International performance by Blaž Pavlica (SL) and Flor de fuego (AR/DE) Live Event at the Piksel TV Channel (https://www.twitch.tv/pikselfest) and at Studio 207 in Bergen. ()

June 13^th, 20^th:
15-18h IDLE Virtual Instruments Workshops for art students, artists and general public.
18h: Art Experiences Performances featuring by the participants.

June 28^th:
20 h: Exhibition Program Closure
22 h: Final JAM IDLE Performance

Bergen, Norway – May and June 2024

Piksel Fest Spill Returns to Bergen, Celebrating Art, Technology, and Ecology (PDF)

Stormy Thursdays – Exploring the Convergence of Art and Free/Libre Technologies. Open workshops.

We are delighted to invite you to “Stormy Thursdays,” a series of interactive workshops where we delve into the intersection of art and free/libre technologies, fostering a serene space for exploration and creativity.

Discover the Art-Tech Connection: Immerse yourself in the serene blend of artistic expression and free/libre technologies, where innovation takes a tranquil form.

Participate, Craft, Share: These workshops prioritize hands-on engagement. Join us to participate actively, craft your projects, and share your creations with a community of like-minded individuals.

Free/Libre Technologies: Embrace the philosophy of open-source tools. Learn about free/libre technologies and contribute to a collaborative space of knowledge sharing.

Event Details:

Date: Every Thursday / January and February 2024
Time: 17-20 h
Venue: Studio 207, Strandgaten 207, Bergen

What to Anticipate:

Interactive Workshops
Live Demonstrations
Collaborative Project Showcases
Casual Networking with Creative Minds

Who Should Attend:

Artists
Tech Enthusiasts
Creatives
Those intrigued by the intersection of art and technology

RSVP Today: Send us an email to piksel24(at)piksel(dot)no

Let Thursdays become a canvas for peaceful creativity, an avenue for thoughtful exploration. We look forward to a serene collaboration of art and technology. See you there.

#StormyThursdays #ArtTechConvergence #FreeLibreExploration #TranquilInnovation

Piksel Kidz – LIVE Coding with HYDRA.

Another round of Piksel Kidz is right around the corner! From Tuesday 28th of November until Friday 1st of December kids, parents, youngsters and adults are welcome to studio 207 where the digital-craft artist Florencia Alonso (Flor de Fuego) will guide the group on tips and tricks of Live coding using the open source software Hydra.

In 2015, Piksel Festival, the Bergen festival focusing on new media art and open digital culture, introduced Piksel KidZ Lab, an artistic laboratory for kids to understand and build new media artworks. After 9 years of experience working with kids and technology, the program is rooted in the autumn schools program. Piksel KidZ Lab will be held in Bergen during the autumn of 2023.

Throughout the 3 hours workshop the kids will experiment programming with very simple code sounds and visuals. The workshop intends to de-mystify technology and reveal its design decisions, limitations, and creative potential. Kids will produce a final performance all together at the end of the workshop.

In this workshop, attendees will be introduced to Hydra – a live coding environment created by Olivia Jack. Using live programming, they will have the opportunity to explore image and camera manipulation and create unique visuals. Additionally, we will discuss the various formats where video plays a crucial role, such as live concerts, art installations, and music videos.

Hydra is a web-based video synthesizer. Olivia describes live coding as writing code in real time to make visuals and/or music as part of a performance. Originally begun as a series of explorations in the browser, Hydra is now used by a large community of live coding performers who perform in clubs and other venues, as well as in online streamed performances throughout the pandemic. There are many resources for getting started with Hydra, and a number of spin-off projects including PIXELJAM, also by Olivia, which allows multiple performers to do live coding together. There are also periodic online meetups where live coders worldwide meet up to talk and show off their works created with Hydra.

Hydra is live code-able video synth and coding environment that runs directly in the browser. It is free and open-source and made for beginners and experts alike.

Duration: 4 hours.
The workshop repeats every day in 2 possible schedules:
mornings from 10:00 to 13:00 for schools
late afternoon from 16:00-19:00 for individual kids

Age: 10-88 years old. Parents and young adults are also welcome!

Place: Studio 207, Strandgaten 207, 5004 Bergen

To secure a spot, send us an email to piksel23(AT)piksel.no with the Subject line Piksel Kidz.

Remember to include the day and time you wish to sign up for as well as name and age of participants!