Digital meets Culture

online, until 15th January 2021

Destination / Journey – experimental art exhibition

Destination / Journey is an experimental art exhibition that showcases the process behind new original artworks that incorporate AI in the process. This unique exhibition pushes audiences into a future in which creativity, technology, and commerce converge, while reflecting on the journey that got us there.

With featured artists Qinza Najm, Barry Despenza, Mattia Cuttini and Anthromorph, the exhibition features a diverse group of artists and incorporate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Audiences will be privy to a new experience through this shoppable art exhibition.

Visit the exhibition: https://shop.playform.io/exhibition

Through the platform it is also possible to purchase the artworks. All of the products are original artworks created by artists in collaboration with artificial intelligence. All artworks are limited editions with certificate of authenticity.

The Genocide Archive of Rwanda website, an example to prevent such events from recurring

9 December: International Day for the Commemoration and Dignity of Victims of Genocide

Text by Caterina Sbrana.

Today, the 9th December, is the International Day for the Commemoration and Dignity of Victims of Genocide and the Prevention of This Crime, established in September 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly.

Unfortunately the twentieth century offers too many examples of genocide, the ones of Armenians, Jews, Tutsis, Bosnians, etc.

These events cannot fall into oblivion: historians and researchers collect documents, photographs, testimonies to be known by present and future generations and thanks to these documents humanity learns the meaning of the word “genocide”.

Screenshot image of the Genocide Archive of Rwanda Home page; https://genocidearchiverwanda.org.rw/index.php?title=Welcome_to_Genocide_Archive_Rwanda

On the web there are several digitized archives that deal with the genocides of the twentieth century. To celebrate the day of 9 December, I chose the Genocide Archive of Rwanda website.

“Welcome to the Genocide Archive of Rwanda website. Here you will find our digital collection of items related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, pre-genocide history and post-genocide reconstruction processes”.

It seems incredible to receive a “Welcome” on a website archive in which, certainly, are collected dramatic documents of human history of the twentieth century.

In 1994 I was not born yet. And for young people the genocides of the 20th century are written in school books.

Promoting the study of these crimes against humanity means strengthening our determination to prevent such events from recurring.

To explore historical facts through the use of the Internet and the consultation of documents already digitized, is a great opportunity for knowledge.

Similar to the goal set by the UN when the International Day for the Commemoration and Dignity of Victims of Genocide was established (to raise awareness about the Convention on Genocide and its task to fight and prevent the crime of genocide), the Genocide Archive of Rwanda was established to prevent mass atrocity and genocide through education.

Image of the section regarding the Collections we can find in the archive; https://genocidearchiverwanda.org.rw/index.php?title=COLLECTIONS

Let me briefly explain why my choice fell on this archive. First of all, because it is one of the genocides that is hardly mentioned. Secondly, because the staff members is made up of young researchers who present their work with a lot of passion in a video that is located on the home page of the site. As a last reason, because the site has a user-friendly interface.

The layout of the site is very simple and the researcher moves easily between the different sections, represented by a photograph, a title and a short description.

We can start from the testimonies, then consult an interactive map of the places of genocide, or we address the issue of post-genocidal reconstruction.

The online archive features more than 8,000 testimonies, audio, films, documents, photographs collected from institutions, families and friends of victims of the 1994 genocide, local NGOs, government institutions and individuals.

The testimonies collected after the genocide against the Tutsi, under the leadership of Theodore Sindikubwabo, were analog data and to make them accessible online they were converted to digital data, through a digitisation process.

Screenshot image of Featured section; https://genocidearchiverwanda.org.rw/index.php/Featured

Similarly it happened for photos, that have been scanned and stored digitally, for audio recordings or audio visual footage.

The launch of the website took place on 9 June 2015.

This Archive is managed by the Aegis Trust, an International organization working to prevent genocide and mass atrocity in line with what is stated in the Convention against genocide.

The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish. (Article I, Convention of the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide – UN, New York 9/12/1948).

https://genocidearchiverwanda.org.rw

https://genocidearchiverwanda.org.rw/index.php?title=Welcome_to_Genocide_Archive_Rwanda

https://genocidearchiverwanda.org.rw/index.php?title=COLLECTIONS

https://genocidearchiverwanda.org.rw/index.php/Featured

online exhibition, 23 November - 24 December 2020

China and USA Technology & Innovation in Fiber Art

Beijing Culture & Art Fund, together with University of the Arts (UArts) in Philadelphia, and the Academy Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (AADTHU)
in Beijing, is delighted to present the first virtual edition of Technology and Innovation in Fiber Art.

Running from 23 November to 24 December 2020, the online exhibition can be visited via a 2.5D platform developed and built by AADTHU and accessible here: https://fibertechart.ad.tsinghua.edu.cn/.

The 2020 China and USA Technology and Innovation in Fiber Art virtual exhibition presents contemporary Fiber Artists who have demonstrated their research and investigation in innovative approaches in textile methodology, materiality, and technology. Twenty artists from China and twenty artists from the United States manifest a variety of approaches in their art making.

Fan Wu, Symbiosis, 2016. 11.2*4.6*0.3cm, anodized aluminium. Courtesy of the artist.

Yue Song, exhibition co-curator and AADTHU professor, notes: “We are honored to showcase 40 outstanding contemporary fiber artists from America and China who have pushed the boundaries of their medium to explore new technologies and new materials over the course of the past five years. The exhibition focuses on the latest achievements of these innovative artists, who have expanded and combined the traditional techniques of weaving, knotting, coiling and interlacing with current cutting-edge technologies, including scientific, digital technologies, materials and craftsmanship.”

Since its inaugural international acknowledgment in the 1960s, contemporary fiber art has no longer been limited by traditional techniques, materials and craftsmanship, evolving to become a comprehensive, diverse and intersectional art genre. The application of scientific and technological innovation has also provided a larger space and platform for creation, research, education and industrial development.

Mi-Kyoung Lee, exhibition co-curator and UArts professor, says: “As a curator, my focus has been to represent the broad spectrum of textile technology and innovation from analogue to digital, as well as artists’ profound personal, cultural, historical, and social connection to the medium. I hope this exhibition will allow fiber artists, audiences, and supporters to reexamine where this field is at now, and will serve as an inspiration for the future generation of textile artists.”

Lecheng Lin, Guangzhong Li & Yuehong Lin, The Light Pavilion, 2020. 1200x600x600cm, Bamboo, Metal, LED. Courtesy of the artists.

With the support of new scientific and technological materials and information technology, fiber art has expanded in scope from 2-dimensional work to 3- or even 4-dimensional work to encompass cross-professional and cross-field cooperation relationships that challenge a more traditional fiber art perspective that emphasized individual production and manual culture.

Each of the 20 artists from China and 20 artists from the USA presented in the exhibition have been using fiber art to explore a variety of contemporary themes, including gender, intimacy, environment, politics and science, as well as investigate innovative approaches in textile methodology, materiality, and technology.

During the exhibition, Technology and Innovation in Fiber Art will host an international symposium online via the Tencent 腾讯 conference platform (VooV meeting ID is 243699390). Taking place from 9 to 12am CST on 5 December 2020 (8 to 11pm on 4 December EST), the discussion will bring together six fiber artists to share their perspectives on the history of fiber art, as well as details of their practice. Art professionals, students, and other interested audiences are all welcome to participate.

Xie Yong, Cyber Cocoon Kids, 2018. 70cm*70cm*170cm, optical fiber, silica gel, LED. Courtesy of the artist.

Originally conceived as a physical exhibition, Technology and Innovation in Fiber Art was moved to a virtual space in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown. AADTHU recently developed a 2.5D virtual platform, which was initially designed as an innovative “online viewing room” and launched in June with the graduation exhibition at Tsinghua University. It has now been adapted to serve as a virtual exhibition space.

On line workshop: 15th December 2020

REACH project invited to join the HERIWELL supporting partners Deliberative Event

The event is part of a 3-days online participatory initiative, targeting different audiences, with the goal of discussing and validating the main concepts and approach of the HERIWELL project. The first 2 workshops will be followed by a final event, presenting the findings of the discussions.
The HERIWELL Supporting Partner Deliberative event will take place on-line on the 15^th of December from 14,00 to 17,00 (CET).The HERIWELL team will provide participants with a short document presenting the HERIWELL goals and preliminary findings as well as a detailed agenda of the workshop.
Main topics of discussion:

Presentation of the agenda, goals and outputs of the deliberative event (HERIWELL Project team)
First round of discussion: validating the domains of societal well-being most related to Cultural Heritage.
Second round of discussion: validating the definition of cultural heritage provided by the HERIWELL project.
Third round of discussion: the societal well-being most important areas to investigate, according to the actual priorities and challenges, and feasibility of the analysis.
Synthesis and next steps

As supporting partner of HERIWELL, REACH will take part to the meeting.
Participation shall be confirmed via email by Monday 7^th December. The HERIWELL team will provide the project documents useful for the discussion and a detailed agenda of the event.
Supporting Partners profile form, is available here
Contacts: dissemination@heriwell.eu
More information on HERIWELL here

Safe the date: 15th December 2020, on line

Call for participation for UNCHARTED project: HERIWELL invites the supporting partners to join the Deliberative Event

Presentation of the agenda, goals and outputs of the deliberative event (HERIWELL Project team)
First round of discussion: validating the domains of societal well-being most related to Cultural Heritage.
Second round of discussion: validating the definition of cultural heritage provided by the HERIWELL project.
Third round of discussion: the societal well-being most important areas to investigate, according to the actual priorities and challenges, and feasibility of the analysis.
Synthesis and next steps

As supporting partner of HERIWELL, UNCHARTED will take part to the meeting.

Participation shall be confirmed via email by Monday 7^th December. The HERIWELL team will provide the project documents useful for the discussion and a detailed agenda of the event.
Supporting Partners profile form, is available here
Contacts: dissemination@heriwell.eu
More information on HERIWELL here

online, 1-3 December 2020

Cultural Participation and Local Resilience: Strategies for the recovery

Webinar in cooperation with the European Commission and part of the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage

What is the issue?
The direct and indirect impacts of culture on local development are largely achieved through cultural participation and access of diverse groups of population to cultural amenities and activities. Cultural participation is linked to a number of areas of social and economic impact: social inclusion, education and life-long learning, well-being and health. High levels of cultural participation might be conducive to a favourable social environment for cultural and creative entrepreneurship, thereby enhancing the impact of cultural and creative production on job creation. In many cities and regions, cultural participation and specialisations in the cultural and creative sectors are evolving, and being used to tackle and societal challenges (e.g. climate change) from new angles, favouring resilience, skills creation and prosocial behavioural changes. High levels of cultural participation also create the premises for a stronger support of cultural spending and cultural policies from the public opinion, thus contributing to the financial and social sustainability of cultural and creative sectors.

The OECD-EC Policy Webinar
There is however still a lack of capacity at subnational levels to measure cultural participation and design instruments that can effectively increase it. This policy webinar will provide an opportunity to learn from latest academic evidence on the economic and social impacts of cultural participation, approaches to better capture it at regional level and instruments to increase it. The event shall also showcase a number of interesting European and non-European cases in this regard.

More information and registration: http://www.oecd.org/cfe/leed/culture-and-creative-sectors.htm

REACH Stakeholders’ meeting, Thursday 26 November 2020

Towards a permanent coordination structure for cultural heritage research

One year after the “Horizons for Heritage Research” Symposium held in Brussels in March 2019, under the aegis of the European Commission, the REACH project planned to continue the discussion about the need a permanent coordination structure of the cultural heritage research during its Conference planned in June 2020. Because of the pandemic, the Conference was cancelled and it was not possible to carry on the work.
However, the coordination structure of cultural heritage research is still a priority in the agenda of many stakeholders in Europe.
For this scope, the REACH project promoted the Stakeholders’ meeting on 26 November, to follow-up the ideas emerged in the Symposium and to plan future actions.
The meeting was held online and joined by representatives of several Horizon 2020 projects, EC Direction General Education & Culture, EC Direction General Research & Innovation, Europa Nostra, the ECHOES Cluster, Eurocities, Europeana Foundation, Photoconsortium Association, UNESCO, Wikimedia and, of course, members of the REACH Consortium.
Participants debated on the main features of the coordination as illustrated in the following slide presented at the meeting by Prof. Neil Forbes of Coventry University, Coordinator of the REACH project.

The meeting was concluded with the agreement of the participants to create two working groups about:
1) the permanent on-line space for communication and negation among actors of cultural heritage research
2) the periodic physical encounter of the members of the coordination, for example in the form of a scientific conference
Follow us online on the website of the REACH project to be updated about the next steps: www.reach-culture.eu

Download the Report of the Symposium of March 2019
Previous blog on the Symposium

online, 15 December 2020

Languages & the Media Virtual Event 2020

Languages & the Media Virtual Event 2020 is taking place on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 – and the full programme is now online.

When we had to postpone the full conference to September 2021, we decided to host an online event this year to bring a glimpse of the Languages & the Media experience home to you. With this Virtual Event, we’ll be offering our community an opportunity to come together and catch up on what has been happening in the world of content localisation and accessibility. We will be hearing from a great line-up of guest speakers about the disruptive impact of COVID-19 on the industry and how the pandemic has become a trend accelerator for cloud infrastructure and remote collaboration. TV viewing and online video consumption have boomed during global lockdowns and advancements have been made in the deployment of AI and MT in localisation processes and access services.

The keynote and industry roundtable will be followed by another special event: the Jan Ivarsson Award ceremony which is traditionally hosted at Languages & the Media and presented by ESIST.

Click here to view the programme.

Places are limited, so register now for the Languages & the Media Virtual Event. Secure your place to attend the live session and submit your questions to our speakers for the Q&A.

For group registrations please contact registrations@languages-media.com.

online, 2-4 December 2020

CoMuseum International Conference

The 10th CoMuseum International Conference is taking place on December 2 – 4, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 social distancing measures, the 2020 CoMuseum will be a virtual event.

On December 2, the CoMuseum will feature keynote presentations, fireside chats and panel discussions which will focus primarily on the following themes:

Leadership in Museums and Cultural Organizations
The Social Impact of Museums: Communities, Human Rights, Social Justice
Digital Transformation and Digital Skills
Greening the Museum and Wellness for Visitors and Staff

On December 3 and 4, the CoMuseum will present a series of online workshops and master classes for museum and cultural professionals. The working language will be English.

Website: http://thecomuseum.org/

Registration is open through 30 November.

Working language for the Conference and the workshops is English.

Venue: Digital Sphere

Towards a sustainable tourism in the peripheral Danube areas

DANube Urban Brand + Building Regional and Local Resilience through the Valorization of Danube’s Cultural Heritage

DANUrB is a new EU funded project started on July 2020 and leaded by the Budapest University of Technology and Economics of Budapest. It involves 17 Partners coming from 6 East European Countries: Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Serbia.
The project aims to reactivate underused cultural heritage and resources in shrinking settlements of Danube river’s peripheral and border regions, to create new possibilities and make its towns and regions attractive again.
Scope of DANUrB is to use the potentials of an international visible system and turn peripheral situations into advantages by attracting visitors and inhabitants interested in the Danube but searching for slow life with authentic values.
The main objective is the capacity building for local stakeholders in order to enable them to cooperate locally and interregionally for the valorization of their Danube related heritage with local actions under a unified brand strong enough to increase local prosperity and international tourist attractiveness.
Therefore DANUrB+ fosters sustainable use of cultural heritage and resources (PSO) in peripheral regions, demonstarting that this usage is the most beneficial to local communities and translating interregional principles to Action Plans for real local cooperatives.

The project consists of 4 horizontal thematic areas of work:

Interregional network as a possibility
Shrinking cities as a challenge
Locals and their cooperation as a development asset
Heritage as a tool

The topics are carried out by 4 work packages: Research, Planning tools, Education and Actions.
The DANUrB+ project has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the REACH project for the mutual support and dissemination of researches and activities related to the promotion and enhancement of the resilient rural and small towns heritage. The poster of DANUrB+ is available in the REACH digital gallery which collects all contributions coming from the project’s community.

Download the DANUrB+ poster here
DANUrB+ website
#DANUrB