As a part of Digital Cultures 2019, a series of workshop will be held on the 28th of September 2019.
The workshop will be held by designer, technologist and educator Philo van Kemenade (Amsterdam).

"We need mirrors"

The world as we know it will soon cease to exist. How can we preserve it for posterity? These workshops on 3D and photogrammetry techniques are inspired by the work of Stanisław Lem.

In recent years, photogrammetry and 3D object imaging have become widespread. Cultural institutions and creators can easily build three-dimensional objects by themselves without outsourcing, using simple tools and their own resources. During these workshops, participants will have a chance to scan selected objects themselves, then render 3D-model files of them to be deposited online for free.

The main theme of the workshops will be the works of Stanisław Lem. As the planet faces an impending crisis, dystopian science-fiction scenarios are becoming our reality. As it turns out, nature was less resilient than we thought. What should we keep for posterity? During the workshops, we will look at ways to preserve both cultural and natural heritage, and consider our relationship with the environment.

Based on Lem’s Solaris, we will scrutinise the Earth from an explorer’s perspective, and attempt to document it in 3D. What is the world around us? Why should we make digital maps of it? The Solarian ocean projects our human nature, embodying our fears. If Mother Nature could speak, what would she have to say about all our worries and collective remorse?

The workshops will be conducted by Philo van Kemenade. As a full stack developer at the Slovakian National Gallery for the last few years, he co-authored projects to make resources available online. He runs regular workshops for cultural sector employees, and advocates extending digital literacy in cultural and arts institutions.

“We are only seeking Man. We have no need of other worlds. We need mirrors. We don’t know what to do with other worlds. A single world, our own, suffices us.”

– Snaut to Kelvin
Stanisław Lem, Solaris

Workshop participants:
Around 10 people will be taking part.

We would particularly like to invite people who are:

• interested in using digital tools creatively;
• responsible for safeguarding archives, building digital collections, and uploading resources;
• utilising digital models for arts and research purposes;
• creators in visual, audiovisual, and other media.

No previous skills required.

The workshops will be held n English.

For the workshop, please bring:

• • Your own laptop with Agisoft Metashape (Standard Edition) installed
• • Digital photographic equipment (ideally DSLR or other camera, alternatively smartphone)
• • Cable / Card reader to transfer photos to your laptop

Participants are encouraged to read Stanisław Lem’s "Solaris" before the workshop.

Participation is free of charge however, filling in the application and being accepted as a participant is required.
Application form will be open until 15.09.2019

The conference curators will review all applications and deliver the invitation to the workshop participants via e-mail on September 18th 2019.

Date: 28.09.2019
Time: 12:00-18:00
Duration: ca. 6 hours
Venue: Adam Mickiewicz Institute, 33/35 Mokotowska Str. Warsaw, 2nd Floor, Room: Ballady i Romanse