AVARA – Art & Tech <3 Sustainability

Picture: Jenina B. / Design Inspis

AVARA – Art & Tech <3 Sustainability is a networking and co-creation event in the fields of art and technology. This international gathering focuses on various themes of digital and sustainable development within the creative industries.  

The event is specifically aimed at art and creative professionals, as well as students, who are interested in exploring digital possibilities in their creative work.  

During the event’s two days, there will be keynotes, discussions, workshops, co-design sessions, and performances related to new technologies and sustainability. Professionals from diverse countries will showcase projects, share best practices, and highlight the latest developments in the field of art and technology. 

The content of the event is primarily in English, unless stated otherwise in the program.

Programme

Thursday, 16th November 2023: The Connection of Art and Digitality

8.30 Registration
Coffee and tea

9:00 Opening the event, Blair Stevenson (Oulu University of Applied Sciences) & Sofia-Charlotta Kakko (Arts Promotion Centre Finland)

9.15 Keynote: Sustainably Digital? On the Future Existences of Art and Culture, Tanja Sihvonen (University of Vaasa)  

10.00 Workshops 

Emerging Technologies  

Workshops featuring emerging technologies offer an opportunity to receive a hands-on introduction to how to utilize some of the latest technologies in creating artworks and productions. Choose one workshop to attend and explore the other technologies during the following speed dating session.

Xsens (motion capture)
Varjo (VR)  
Studio Moritz Simon Geist (sonic robots)

Finding Funding

Creative Net: From idea to project Do you have a project idea in mind that could strengthen expertise or increase employment within the creative industries? The Creative Net’s workshop focuses on clarifying project ideas and helping to make ideas suitable for ESF+ funding.   


EU Creative Europe programme project workshop   Are you planning a project dealing with digitalization, green transition, audience building, inclusion or other themes together with European partners? In this workshop you will get a short introduction into Creative Europe and can develop your project ideas together with other participants.

12:00 Lunch

13.00–13.45 Panel Discussion: Emerging technologies: Art & Tech – Sustainable match? Nuno N. Correia (Tallinn University), Jari Kauppinen (Theatre Academy, Uniarts Helsinki), Mónica Riki? (ES)

14.00 Speed Dating with Technologies (X-Sense, Varjo, Studio Moritz Simon Geist)  

Coffee and tea

15.00 Cases: Greener Creative Fields: Hans Antonsen/Theatre Green Book (NO/UK), Anne Puolanne/Ekosetti (FI) 

15.45–16:00 Closing Day 1  

16.30–18.00 The Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture (NDPC): Creative Residency for Sustainability (Cultural Centre Valve, Hallituskatu 7)

18:00– Reception and performance at Cultural Centre Valve (Hallituskatu 7): Moritz Simon Geist: Tripods One

Friday, 17th November 2023: “The Foundations of Sustainable Development”  

8.30 Coffee and tea

9:00 Orientation to Sustainability Sessions: Andrew Melchior (UK)

9.15 Cases: Scale of Sustainability: Sophia Alexandersson/ShareMusic (SE), Tunde Olatunji/Arts Arkade (UK)  

10.00 Sustainability Sessions: Small group discussions and co-design activity?focusing on challenges with creating sustainable art and culture  

12:00 Lunch  

13.00–13.45 Panel Discussion: Funding talk – possibilities for sustainable digital future! Kai Huotari (EIT Culture and Creativity), Riikka Koivula (Creative Europe Desk Finland), Kaisa Rönkkö (Arts Promotion Centre Finland)

13.45–14.30 
Networking
Coffee and tea

14.30–15.00  Wrapping up Sustainability Sessions  

15.00–16:00 Closing Day 2  

17:00 Lumo Light Festival Oulu  

The event is organized as a parallel event to the Lumo Light Festival held in Oulu and is part of the GRIN project.

For information and registration please click on the link below.