[spectre] DESIGNING RIXC MEDIA SPACE, Riga/Latvia

[Andreas Broeckmann]

(from nettime)

Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2002 18:01:46 +0200 (EET)
=46rom: Ieva Auzina <ieva@re-lab.net>
Subject: Media architecture designs the space

INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTS AND ARTISTS WORKSHOP -
DESIGNING RIXC MEDIA SPACE
March 11=9615, 2002 in Riga, Latvia, organized by The Center for New Media
culture RIXC in Riga.
http://rixc.lv (since 11th of March, 2002)

During March 11=9615, 2002 an international group of architects from Helsink=
i,
Tokyo/Rotterdam, Budapest/London and Copenhagen together with young architec=
ts
from Riga will work on innovative design concept and schematic development
of =93RIXC Media Space=94 =96 open public space for media culture activities=
 in the
city of Riga.

> media architecture designs the space=85

Urban environment adjusts itself in accordance of demanding info-economy
through communication technologies... City turns into cross-linked
labyrinth of
transitions with lounging portals, where happens border flux of labor and
entertainment, public and private... Dominating is dictatorship of economy o=
f
flows, ever-changing sense and meaning alteration of immaterial...
New media culture is our attempt to provide alternative aware by
reconstructing
logic of flows... Social dynamics of virtual networks applied to physical
conditions over again facilitates expansion of public space...
During sequential transformation of the Media space, the process of itself
becomes a platform for artistic, conceptual and communicative collaboration,
where representatives of interdisciplinary fields - artists, designers,
architects, technicians, scientists contribute in joint effort...
Let this space to be our different languages common contemporary metaphor...

> location

RIXC Media Space will be located in 11. Novembra Krastmala 35, next to the
building of Artists=92 Union of Latvia, in old city of Riga, right by the ri=
ver
Daugava. The space is former 110 m" sculptor studio. (some pics of the space=
:
http://re-lab.net/rasa/rixc)
RIXC Media Space intends to become a meeting place for different types of
culture. This location is also chosen in order to connect traditional art
areas
with new media culture activities, and to bridge the traditional gap
between 'high' and popular culture and the divisions between various youth,
sub-
 and minority cultures.

> development

The building needs serious reconstruction (incl. fortification of foundation=
s)
and it might take couple years while it's finished. Therefore the process of
reconstruction itself will be seen as creative art (plat)form. In the variou=
s
stages of building, in-, within- and around- of this space various activitie=
s,
workshops, performances will be organized and experimental art projects
dealing
with real and virtual spaces, will be developed and produced.

International architect's workshop is the first step towards further
development of the RIXC Media physical space, which will contribute for both=
 -
visualization of the future space and developing the context for prospective
activities within it.

> program

During the workshop, RIXC will organize different related activities:

MONDAY, March 11
20.00 - presentation of newly reconstructed RIXC portal (http://rixc.lv) and
presentations by participants at the multimedia center MA1Z3
(http://ma1z3.com), DJ's and live jam session

TUESDAY, March 12
20.00 - discussion at net. radio OZONE on "Post-modern urban geographies and
public spaces" together with participants and representatives from Riga City
Council (http://ozone.re-lab.net/live.ram)

=46RIDAY, March 15
16.00 - visual presentation of workshop results and screening of video
documentation will take place in RIXC Media Space future physical premises =
=96
former sculptor studio of Artists House, 11.Novembra Krastmala 35.

> participants:

Tuomas Toivonen (Finland) <tuomas@aula.cc> - architect, journalist, musician
from Helsinki, co-initiator and international co-cordinator  of the symposiu=
m
Bjarke Ingels (Denmark) <bjarke@plot.dk> - architect, co-founder of PLOT in
Copenhagen
Laszlo Fecske (Hungary/UK) <laszlo_fecske@yahoo.com> - architect, free
consultant at PLOT (Copenhagen) and OMA (Rotterdam), currently studies at
London
Shohei Shigematsu (Japan/Netherlands) <shoheis@hotmail.com> - architect,
currently working at Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in Rotterdam
Ivars Shmits (Latvia) <shmita_kungs@hotmail.com> - architect, studied at Rig=
a
Technical University, Department of Architecture, and Bremen Architecture
University in Germany
Mariina Gavrjutina (Latvia) <marina_in_europe@hotmail.com> - architect,
studied
at Riga Technical University, Department of Architecture and at Milano
Politechnical University in Italy
Maksims Shentelevs (Latvia) <maxis@nams.arch.lv> - architect, currently
studying MA at Riga Technical University, Department of Architecture
Mikelis Putrams (Latvia) <mikelis_putrams@one.lv> - Currently studying at Ri=
ga
Technical University, Department of Architecture

> remote participants (on-line):
Mr.Snow (Australia) <mr.snow@laudanum.net> - interface designer and media
artist from Sidney
Luke Jerram (UK) <luke@jerram.swinternet.co.uk> - artist, based in Bristol,
works in cross disciplinary field, successfully fusing aesthetics, science a=
nd
technology.
Janis Garancs (Latvia/Germany) <jg@x-i.nu> - artist and "architect" of virtu=
al
reality and networked databases
and others (now and later)

> artists from Riga:
Raitis Smits (Latvia) <raitis@re-lab.net> - media artist, co-founder of E-LA=
B,
net.radio OZONE and Xchange network (http://re-lab.net)
Girts Korps (Latvia) <korps@nordik.lv> - digital media artist, founder of
SEMEMA, developing symposium web page (http://semema.org)
Carl Bjorsmark (Latvia) <loco@parks.lv> - filmmaker, photo and video
artist, co-
founder of K@2 - informational and cultural public space in Liepaja, Karosta=
,
will contribute with video documentation of the symposium
(http://karosta.org),
(http://borderland.tv)

> organisers and coordinators:
Rasa Smite (Latvia) <rasa@re-lab.net> - media artist & activist, co-founder =
of
E-LAB, program director at RIXC, coordinator of the symposium (Mob.: +371-
6546776)
Ieva Auzina (Latvia) <ieva@re-lab.net> - art scientist, curator, project
coordinator at RIXC, press coordinator of the symposium (Phone: +371-7228478=
)
Signe Pucena (Latvia) <signe@re-lab.net> - manager of RIXC, coordinator of t=
he
symposium (Phone: +371-7228478)

> Support:

Workshop is supported by Riga City Council, Latvian Cultural Capital
=46oundation, DATI Komerccentrs, Nordic Council of Ministers Information Off=
ice
in Riga, development of RIXC media lab and Acoustic Space Research programm =
-
by Daniel Langlois Foundation and Prince Bernhard Foundation.