[spectre] Call for A-i-R Proposals: Soft Technology

[V2_]

Call for Artist-in-Residency Proposals

*Soft technology*

V2_Lab, the artistic Research & Development (aRt&D) department of V2_
Institute for Unstable Media in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, has a
vacancy for a three-month artist’s residency from January 15 to April
15, 2009.

*Deadline for applications: December 7th 2008*

To download your application form please follow this link:
http://files.v2.nl/portal/Applicationform_AIR.rtf

Background
V2_Lab has an extensive history in the field of wearable technology. In
recent years, we have carried out various aRt&D projects in
collaboration with various artists and universities. For example, we
developed soft, wearable interactive objects with Thecla Schiphorst
during Soft(n). We recently took these developments further in the
direction of fashion and wearable technology with Di Mainstone’s
Sharewear. In these projects, we combine knowledge from various domains
to produce surprising or critical artistic statements. V2_ is seeking to
further investigate the combination of fashion and technology by means
of an experimental residency.

Introduction
A true revolution is currently under way in the form of personal
fabrication. Wikipedia is already talking about “fabbers” – a new word
for the emerging miniature factories. Around the world, initiatives like
the Fab Labs and a lively DIY community bear witness to this
development. This way of working is also increasing in popularity in the
area of wearable electronics.

V2_ Lab sees a great need for simple solutions for wearable electronics
people can make themselves with a bit of know-how. The proliferation of
workshops in things like Arduino and crafting and the success of V2_’s
workshops in Shanghai and Cluj, Romania, seem to support this. As a lab,
we believe it is important for artists and designers to gain knowledge
and hands-on experience with the technical and conceptual possibilities
and impossibilities of these technologies in a professional environment.

At the same time, we wish to combine our creative powers to develop
innovative materials that will enable a far-reaching integration of
electronics with their textile carriers. If this technology finds its
way to artists and designers, it will certainly have an impact on future
wearable projects.

Goal of the residency
The research and development part of the residency will focus on the
development of flexible, textile-integrated circuit boards and
electronic components, manufactured from easily accessible materials. We
wish to involve the artist in this research at the earliest possible
stage, so that the accumulated knowledge will remain easily
transferable. This residency is also geared toward achieving a
satisfying end result in the form of a visually attractive working
prototype.

This residency is relevant at the artistic level because making low-tech
materials and techniques available will enable a much larger community
to develop wearables.

Technology and way of working
The artist will be responsible for the artistic theme, design of the
wearable, and realization of the prototype; he or she will receive
support from the designers and developers at V2_ Lab. In collaboration
with V2_, he or she will develop innovative materials and applications
that will help to realize the goal of creating a working prototype in
which the technology and the textile medium integrate into soft and
flexible circuitry. We will work with DIY and crafting technologies as
well as with rapid prototyping machines.
We highly value convincing design. The integration of technology and
craft, however, is part of ongoing research at V2_, so the technological
aspects may keep an experimental character. The final result will be
presented to the public at one of V2_’s events.

Team profiles
The artist will:
• be an artist/developer/designer having an affinity with textiles.
• be innovative in his/her field and wish to experiment with the
aforementioned technologies, and
• preferably have basic knowledge of electronics, or at least have
experience working in a multidisciplinary team.

The experts at V2_ Lab will:
• offer support with software and hardware development,
• work with the artist on research into the integration of textiles and
electronics,
• have knowledge of materials, and
• be familiar with various crafting technologies.

We work with FabLab Utrecht Protospace, which offers
• the use of milling machines, laser cutters and 3D printers, and
• occasional support from a professional.

*V2_Lab offers:*
• an artist’s fee up to a total of €3,000.00, depending on experience
and activities,
• free lodging in Rotterdam, and
• travel to and from Rotterdam up to €250.00.

The contact person for this call is Piem Wirtz, piem at v2.nl,
Tel: +31-10-206-7273.

www.v2.nl