[spectre] V2_ Newsletter November 2014

[Arie A]

V2_ Newsletter November 2014

www.v2.nl

In November there’s no less than three Blowup events at V2_. On 6 and
7 November there is a two day extravaganza on new materials and new
methods – including a workshop. On 27 November we have invited a
variety of non-expert experts to bring hidden knowledge to light. If
that’s not enough, we present two new printed books, and there is an
exciting collaboration with Dutch artist Renzo Martens and the
Institute for Human Activities.


Blowup: New Materials, New Methods
6 & 7 November 2014
20:00–22:00h
V2_ Institute for the Unstable Media, Rotterdam
v2.nl/events/blowup-new-material-new-methods
v2.nl/events/blowup-new-materials-new-methods-day-ii

V2_'s research into Innovation in Extreme Scenarios was inspired by
the amazing but true story of Geoffrey Pyke and his dream to build an
aircraft carrier made of a special kind of ice that he had invented.
Pyke was widely acknowledged as an eccentric but brilliant innovator
who contributed to many aspects of society. The British Security
Service (MI5) has recently declassified a treasure trove of
information about Pyke and his contributions to the Allies' efforts in
WWII. British writer Henry Hemming has written a new biography of Pyke
based on these new revelations. In researching this book, Hemming
discovered evidence of a method for innovation that Pyke followed, and
it is this method we will explore in a workshop on ‘How to Pyke’. As
part of the workshop you will also hear about the contemporary uses
for this intriguing material, from team members who made the Pykrete
Dome (the world's largest ice dome) possible. On November 7, on the
second day of the Blowup: New Materials, New Methods, you will hear
brief talks reflecting on innovation, art and science, and the role of
new materials: a massive ship made of ice was the dream of the
forties, what is the impossible dream for new materials today?
Featuring a live stage interview with renowned Dutch artists Driessens
& Verstappen by Boukje Cnossen, insights into the innovative practices
of Superuse Studios by their Head of Research Jan Jongert, and a
re-enactment of a lecture on the divide between art and science by
C.P. Snow, played by Giles Lane. Contributors: Henry Hemming | Pykrete
Dome team | Driessens & Verstappen | Boukje Cnossen | Jan Jongert |
Giles Lane (as C.P. Snow).

Attendance is free, but spaces for the workshop (6 November) are
limited and registration is required. Henry Hemming is the workshop
leader, coming to V2_ fresh from running a highly successful workshop
on similar themes at MIT Media Lab. It will be a fun evening which
will also bring a lot of insight into new ways of looking at your own
professional practice and how you can be more innovative using
sometimes unconventional techniques. To secure your place send an
email to Michelle Kasprzak: mk at v2.nl


Blowup: Non-Expert Experts
27 November 2014
20:00–22:00h
V2_ Institute for the Unstable Media, Rotterdam
v2.nl/events/blowup-non-expert-experts

The same small circle of experts circulate on the world's conference
stages... but what of all the specialist knowledge under our noses?
Who are the unacknowledged experts in our midst? The maker movement
has done a good job of uncovering hidden technological talents, but
which other domains are developing innovative techniques with possible
wider impacts? With artist Melle Smets, researcher Cynthia Hathaway,
and the collaboration of the Open Design students at the Willem de
Kooning Academy, V2_ has been on a hunt for the most interesting
'non-expert experts' in the Netherlands. At this event, we will hear
from a wide range of unsung experts in several divergent areas: from
giant vegetable growers and their 500 kg pumpkins to natural
weightlifters lifting twice their body weight, and anything else you
can imagine. The aim is to bring hidden knowledge to light, and to
reveal the surprising techniques, motivations, and results that our
experts achieve.


V2_ Presents two new Books
Two printed books are forthcoming from V2_Publishing in November.
v2.nl/publishing/iedereen-een-kunstenaar
v2.nl/publishing/een-stuk-van-mij-gaat-een-paar-keer

Arjen Mulder’s new book Een stuk van mij gaat een paar keer (‘A piece
of mine goes a couple to times’) is an essay about art and
documentation. He argues that the relation between original and
documentation has completely shifted over the past thirty years. Art
is no longer autonomous, as the 20th century wanted it to be;
documentation is what keeps a work of art alive. The second book,
Iedereen een kunstenaar (‘Everyone an artist’) by Ruben Jacobs, is
about authenticity, art and the creative industries. Both books are
published in Dutch and will be available later in November.


V2_ and Renzo Martens’ IHA
V2_ is the production partner for a new project by Renzo Martens'
Institute for Human Activities.
v2.nl/lab/blog/v2_-collaborates-with-renzo-martens-iha

>From November 22 to February 22 the Institute for Human Activities is
part of the exhibition Confessions of the Imperfect, curated by
Alistair Hudson and Steven ten Thije at the Van Abbemuseum in
Eindhoven. The Institute for Human Activities will also tour to V2_ in
2015, details forthcoming. More here:
v2.nl/lab/blog/v2_-collaborates-with-renzo-martens-iha


V2_ sends Karolina Sobecka to the Amazon
Karolina Sobecka goes on an expedition in the Peruvian Amazon with
support of V2_. It will result in an artwork concept and a voyage
report for a forthcoming ebook.
v2.nl/lab/blog/the-clipperton-project

The artist Karolina Sobecka will be part of a boat expedition on the
Amazon River, organised by The Clipperton Project. She is part of a
mixed group of artists and scientists that has departed from Iquitos,
Peru. After the expedition, Karolina Sobecka will develop a proposal
for a new artwork based on her reflections onboard, interactions with
crewmates, and impressions of Iquitos and the Peruvian Amazon. Her
proposal and reflections will be released in a V2_ ebook in November.


Meshenger Meetup
>From 3 – 8 November there's a Meshenger meetup at the V2_Lab.
v2.nl/events/meshenger-meetup
Roel Roscam Abbing and Dennis de Bel have organised an expert work
session to further develop Meshenger. The event takes place from 3 – 8
November at the V2_Lab in Rotterdam. Meshenger is a messaging software
used for a speculative broadcast communication project. The starting
point is an electronic messaging system running on a wireless mesh
network. The meetup is for invited participants only.


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