PIFcamp

Mika Satomi & Magdalena Ågren are planning to work on a collaborative music performance project. Mika is an e-textile costume maker and Mag is a musician. Mika will make an e-textile costume for Mag that controls her analog synthesizers and other effects when she plays. Mag will shout through her trombones and megaphones. The eclectic duo is curious to experiment if the e-textiles tame or unleash the performer!

They hope to end the camp with a new performance by Mag with her new costume. They are open to collaborate or get inspired by other campers at the PIFcamp. Join them!

Join our node holder John Richards aka Dirty Electronics on a DIY circuit-bending journey!

Solder & Synonyms is a call to action that draws on sense of place and the picturesque surroundings of the Soča Valley and combines circuit building, writing text and critical thinking. Each day participants will spend time developing texts – for example, stories, poetry, manifesto, schemas, and abstract expressions – and building a DIY artwork circuit board where the text is stored on a microprocessor and “playedback” on a LCD. The text also forms the basis for digital wave-table sound synthesis. The writing part of the workshop offers a counter balance to focused indoor soldering and being tethered to mains electricity. Take inspiration from the natural environment. Wanderlust!

Statement

In 2017, I was first invited to Slovenia to give a workshop that brought together my interests in DIY circuit building and electronics and writing, which by chance took place at the birthplace of celebrated Slovene poet Valentin Vodnik. The circuit was prototypic, being assembled using wire-wrapping techniques and the frame of a wire coat hanger, and a LCD was used for scrolling text written by participants. In the build up to this workshop I’d discussed my interest in both writing music and text, and the semiotics of machines. I wanted to combine these interests with the creation of a singular object. Following this workshop, I’ve continued to explore alternative forms of publication: fanzines, booklets, text embedded on microchips, risograph printing, DIY printers and unorthodox printing formats. I’ve repeatedly stated that my next publication will take the form of one of my synths. Solder & Synonyms will make this happen. An artwork circuit board specially designed for the camp will become, not only a tabula rasa for my next publication, but also for PIFcamp attendees.

The wave-table sound synthesis and the circuit board will build on recent Dirty Electronics’ projects: 57mm, Radical Chip (with Max Wainwright) and Polytik synth.

We are announcing the first PIFcamp project MOTHeremin 2.0, and it coincides with our yamamai graphical identity! MOTHeremin is an analog electronic instrument for the blind and visually impared for learning about endagered lepidopterans of Slovenia developed by Staša Guček.

MOTHeremin, analog electronic instrument arose from the emerald waters of Soča Valley during PIFcamp Nature &Nerdture in 2018, surrounded by forests, mountains and night creatures – moths.

Electronic circuit of MOTHeremin, which is designed as a thorax of the moth, is based on the first electronic musical instrument called theremin. It was invented by a Russian physicist Leon Sergeyevich Theremin in 1920s. This is an unique instrument, because it can be played without touching it and only with changing the distance of users’ hands from two electrodes – antennas or sliding with fingers over the copper lines.

With a wish to spread awarness about rapid decline of insects (so called “windshield phenomen” – 2.5% rate of annual loss over the last 25-30 years, especially butterflies, moth and bees), Staša Guček is going to design an upgraded version of MOTHeremin with electronic circuits replicating patterns of the most endagered lepidopterans in Slovenia. Etched circuits on copper plates form a relief, therefore analog electronic instrument will become a learning sonic tool for the blind and visually impared. Sliding through the copper lines, patterns they will get to know the most endagered butterflies and moths of Slovenia not just through touch, but also through sound. Beside that users will be able to learn the basics of electricity flow and electronic components.

Along with this Staša will introduce you the world of fascinating and peculiar science facts, mythology, notes from literature, soundscapes and other stories about the multi-pattern flying creatures.

Before we close the open call for applications on May 20th we’d like to share this year’s node holders!

Kersikova bio hackers will once again join forces with Dario Cortese, our wild edible plant guru, and work on food fermentation. Dario also expressed some interest in hacking the borreliosis – he’s planning to provide an overview of making preparations for its treatment.

Lynne Bruning will continue to host daily Wandering Cafe in the mornings and e-textile workshops in the afternoons. She also wants to do explore various techniques of block printing on fabric.

Scott Kildall is a new media artist who works with datasets related to natural sciences and how they interact with human civilization, transforming these into sculptures and interactive installations. Scott’s involvement at PIF will be extension of his PIFresidency (Artist-in-Residence programme as part of Feral Labs Network) projects called Unnatural Language. He will use the Soča surroundings to make a dynamically-synthesized soundscape by setting up electronic sound sculptures across the meadows and trees and make them communicative with each other.

Last but not least – all the electronics and DIY synth enthusiasts can join a project Solder & Synonyms by John Richards aka Dirty Electronics which is combining circuit building, writing text and critical thinking.

And there is much more to come! DITOxicate yourself and APPLY NOW!

PS: Those who already applied – expect your answer on Tuesday May 21th.