Category: project
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SOUND DAYS in Liepaja
The festival “Sound Days” dedicated to sound and media art will take place from May 18 to 21 in Liepaja University Art Research Lab (MPLab, mplab.lv), Kurmajas prospekts 13, Liepaja, offering open, free workshops for those interested in sound art. The program is created for young artists, students and professionals. The festival “Sound Days” will open with a discussion “Sounds of Independence” on the evening of May 18 with two participants of different generations – guitarist, political activist and co-founder of “Līvi”, Juris Pavītols, and talented guitarist Roberts Dinters, who supports artistic independence free of any borders. The intergenerational discussion will introduce a 3-day program with workshops and performances dedicated to sound art and media art, creative freedom of expression and electronic experimental music.
The festival will focus on meeting in person – both by strengthening mutual relations with the creative community and by experiencing and enjoying the sound in space, and acquiring new skills by choosing to work in one of the festival’s workshops. Some workshops will also be available for online participation.
“Sound Days” will bring together emerging artists, musicians, students, professionals and those interested in sound and media art. The festival will host a program consisting of workshops, discussions, presentations and performances. The central event of the festival – the “Sound Days” concert – will offer an audiovisual program of electronic and experimental music, as well as allow them to experience the magic of surround sound by playing works created in a workshop in a live performance system around the audience. The concert will take place on Saturday, May 21 at 19:00, at the Liepaja University Art Research Lab, merging the boundaries between art and music. Performance event line-up: Latvian electroacoustic and experimental music composer Platons Buravickis, new media artist Glociks, experimental electronic music duo Nejauši, Slabens and Nosalis, Imantas Reivists, and DJ Orthodox.
4 creative workshops are offered to participants:
Platons Buravickis (LV) – composer, pianist and improviser of academic music, electroacoustic music occupies a special place in his work. The workshop will focus on the importance of material in contemporary art and introduce the granular synthesis of sound in the MAX visual programming environment. The workshop is also available for online participants.
Huan Duarte Regino (MX / FI) – media artist, researcher, PhD candidate in Aalto University, Finland. Works with interaction in generative art experiments that study the manifestations of digital and analogue platforms under the influence of environmental media. In the workshop, participants will learn the process of creating a multichannel surround sound instrument, as well as sound performances and installations. The workshop will mostly use open source programs such as Pure Data, Supercollider and Reaper.
Krišjānis Rijnieks (LV / FI) – new media artist and expert of the community creative laboratory FabLab, currently working at Aalto Fablab, Aalto University, Finland. In the workshop, participants will learn how to use the open source multimedia processing program FFmpeg to supplement your video with unique filters using the GLSL shader repository Shadertoy.
Reinis Naivivaiko (LV) – digital, creative, electronical musician and sound artist, enthusiastic researcher of the world of modular synthesis. In the workshop, nature-inspired sound objects will be created with the help of modular synthesis. Participants will learn the basic principles of how to operate a modular synthesizer in the MPLab studio.
Program:
Wednesday, 18.05.2022. 7 pm
OPENING (Liepaja University Art Research Lab, MPLab, Kurmajas pr. 13)
Opening and discussion “Sounds of Independence” (with Juris Pavītols and Roberts Dinters)Thursday – Saturday 19 – 21.05.2022. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WORKSHOPS (Liepaja University Art Research Lab, MPLab, Kurmajas pr. 13)
Workshops, work on individual and group creative projectsSaturday 21.05.2022. 7 pm
CONCERT (Liepaja University Art Research Lab, MPLab, Kurmajas pr. 13)
Concert and presentations of the workshop results – performancesMore info and application form for the workshops: https://sound.mplab.lv/
“Sound days” is organized by Liepaja University Art Research Lab (MPLab) in cooperation with ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education. “Sound days” is created with the support of Liepaja City Municipality institution “Culture Department” and State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia (VKKF).
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AR app and website ART+ has been launched
A new augmented reality platform ART+ has been published for Android and iOS users, as well as all web users. ART+ offers more than 15 visual and sound artworks, which can be found in various places in Liepaja (can be viewed using a telephone or a tablet). The media and sound artwork included in the ART+ application can be viewed and heard from a distance, and explored close-up, some of them can even be entered. For those who cannot go for an art walk in Liepaja, a special website has been created, where all works can be viewed in a simulated augmented reality experience (website: https://artplus.app).
ART+ users should note that the application will require permission to use the Camera app and location (GPS). The application is available for both Android and iOS users.
The ART+ platform is designed as a digital gallery. Currently, the artworks in augmented reality can be viewed only in Liepaja, as the creators of the application are the Liepaja-based artists’ association ASTE. The creators of ART+ are working on curating more artworks that could be placed also in different locations.
What is augmented reality (AR)?
Augmented reality, AR, XR – these terms describe technologies and user experiences where an extra layer is added to the surrounding environment (the real life) using a digital device. These technologies can be more sophisticated, such as wearable technologies like Google Glass or Microsoft HoloLens, virtual reality (VR) devices, or simpler ones, such as a phone and a tablet. The content of augmented reality is mainly made up of training or learning simulations, games, audio guides, for example, in museums, galleries, tourist information points.
ART+ uses a phone or a tablet to allow the user to see the artwork as through a window. When the artwork is found by walking up to it in its location, it is placed in this augmented reality environment – the viewer then can explore all the objects from a distance or up-close. We are inviting viewers to walk through and in between the objects, to search for different experiences and possible sound compositions in sound pieces. It is advisable to use headphones for the sound art objects.
ART+ artists: Maija Demitere, Eva-Maria Lopez, Liga Velina, Eltons Kuns, Jekaterina Jevdokimova, Ivo Taurins, grupa “Nejausi”, Andrejs Poikans, Kristaps Pukitis, Milda Ziemane, Adelina Kalnina, Haralds Dravnieks, Marta Gutmane, Undine Celiane, Kaspars Levalds, Uldis Hasners u.c.
ART+ on web: https://artplus.app/.
ART+ for Android: Play Store
ART+ for iOS: Apple store
ART+ was created with the support of the State Culture Capital Fund (VKKF) program KulturELPA. ART+ is created by ASTE, an association of artists based in Liepaja, in cooperation with Liepaja University Art Research Lab (MPLab, https://mplab.lv/).
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Media art ARCHIVE updated
During 2021, with the support of the Liepāja Culture Board, the Liepaja Media Art Archive was updated – arhivs.aste.gallery. The archive is created in cooperation with the Liepaja University Art Research Laboratory (MPLab). Phase 2 of the archive includes information for the period 2010-2020.
From 2010 to 2020, the Liepāja new media art community focused on in-depth research of specific media, specializing in various areas of media art – sound art, video projection mapping, eco-art, virtual reality content creation, etc. Initiatives also developed to disseminate the knowledge gained through studies and work to the general public through public discussions, presentations and creative workshops. Since 2013, the sound art festival “Sound Days” has been held, devoting one week each year to experimental sound production in May. But Liepāja University’s International New Media Art Week I-Week gradually grew into a media art festival UPDATE for a wider audience with an intensive online program for international audiences as well. In 2017, a student initiative flourished – an interdisciplinary cycle of open art education named OPEN LAB for youth audiences, in which new media artists and young people without prior knowledge could meet renowned artists from different fields of art (performance art, photography, etc.) and develop audiovisual projects that reflect the views of young people – the future generation – on current issues – false news, technological improvements, etc. in the form of hackathon. Promoting public media literacy is also one of the main goals of ASTE.
The Liepāja New Media Art Archive is available at https://arhivs.aste.gallery/. It can be used for further research and the study process of new media art. The archive was created by Paula Vītola, a doctoral student at the Liepaja University, Diana Lelis, a multimedia artist and writer, and Anna Priedola, the head of the Art Research Laboratory.
The project will continue in the coming years, with the introduction of a database of the most active artists in the community, convenient search engines and English translations of content.
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Online masterclasses and workshops on new media arts and technologies
The new media art festival UPDATE will take place from November 22 to 30. The festival program includes discussions, masterclasses, lectures and workshops on art and technologies online. UPDATE is intended for students, young artists, professionals, and other interested parties who want to supplement or acquire new knowledge and competencies in working with digital technologies. The festival program is intended for everyone, including those without prior knowledge, all events are available free of charge. Working language: English.
On Monday, November 22 at 6PM (GMT+2) everyone is invited to take part in the masterclass hosted by artist, art critic and curator Ellen Pearlman. Pearlman will share her unique knowledge and philosophy gained through research and practical work. The master class is intended for those who are interested in such areas of technology as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, human-computer communication, and interfaces.
On Wednesday, November 24 at 6PM (GMT+2) there will be a panel of presentations and a discussion of the project GREEN participants. GREEN (“GREEN Revisited: Encountering Emerging Naturecultures”) project reconsiders pervasively used notion of “green” that is symbolically associated with everything “natural”, claiming that such superficial notions are used to mask the increasing technical manipulations of nature and environment. More: http://green.rixc.org/.
On Thursday, November 25 at 6PM (GMT+2) there will be a discussion event focusing on AR and XR; participants will be able to listen to case studies, experiences, and opinions about the development of AR apps and projects from practicing developers, producers, and artists.
On Friday, Nov. 26 at 6PM (GMT+2), there will be a 2-hour master class on the skills, knowledge and mindset needed to work in the highly profitable industry of VR development. The masterclass will be hosted by Steven Jupijn, the technical artist at Apollo Journey (www.apollojourney.com/).
On Tuesday, November 30 at 6PM (GMT+2), there will be a discussion on the artist’s role in this struggle against climate change and promotion of a more sustainable lifestyle. The discussion will look for answers to questions such as: how to talk about waste, recycling, sustainability, and resources in art practices? Aren’t sustainable artists part of a greenwashing strategy?
During the festival, participants are invited to join workshops. The aim of the workshops is to provide specific, technical knowledge, new inspiration, and experience in working with certain technologies. The program offers sound recording and editing workshop, building of immersive sound installation workshop, participants will work with modular synthesizers, 3D scanning and motion tracking technologies. It will also be possible to learn to use the program vvvv, which is a tool used in VJing (real-time or staged video manipulations used in audio-visual installations or as a background for music, concerts, performances, etc.).
The festival will take place on the ZOOM platform. The full festival program, additional information and registration can be found on the website: https://update.mplab.lv/.
UPDATE is organized by Liepaja University Art Research Lab (MPLab, www.mplab.lv) in cooperation with ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education (www.aste.gallery), RIXC, the centre for new media culture (www.rixc.org) and BIAN, Baltic Immersive Audio Network (https://www.balticimmersive.net/).
UPDATE is created with the support of the European Union program “Creative Europe”, the project “GREEN REVISITED. Encountering Emerging Naturecultures”, Liepaja City Municipality institution “Culture Department” and State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia (VKKF). The workshop “Space in Sound | Sound in space” is created with the support of “Nordic Culture Point” programme.
Full program and registration: https://update.mplab.lv
For future communication: Maija Demitere, maija@mplab.lv, +371 29948430
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Exhibition “Art Extends Lives” in Riga
An audiovisual exhibition “Art Extends Lives”, created with the support of the European Union program “Creative Europe”, Liepāja University, the State Culture Capital Foundation and the Liepāja Culture Board, will be opened in Riga, Sporta 2 kvartāls from September 15 to 21 (from 12PM to 17PM, September 19th, 20th, 21st from 12PM until 21PM).
The opening events of the exhibition will take place on September 15 at 17.00. The opening will be an opportunity to get involved in an interactive performance by the artist Ieva Vīksne, the sound of which will be determined by the activity of the artist’s brain. Visitors will also have the opportunity to influence the performance by joining the artist’s movements. You will also be able to listen to Robert Dinter’s performance, created in collaboration with video artist Anna Meldrāja.
The exhibition is part of the DIVI 9 project activities. Within the framework of the project, more than 30 artists have joined together to to draw public attention to mental health and addiction issues.
The idea of the exhibition started two years ago, when the curator and producer Paula Vītola started to curate works that could offer the viewer new experiences. The exhibition was offered to the public for the first time at the end of 2020 in Liepaja. The exhibition is also available online: https://gara.aste.gallery/
Our understanding of the world comes from external impulses that the brain receives as an electrical signal. In order to prolong their lives, people need to stimulate their brains on a daily basis with new experiences, using all the senses available to us.
The modern way of life requires us to live a fast paced and long life, that is also short, from the perspective of perception. Artists are trying to change this way of life. Art allows for new experiences and the artist is the person who creates and seeks these new experiences. Art provides an opportunity to experiment and manipulate space, the environment and perception. The artist often also shapes his life as an experiment, constantly looking for new ways to live, see, think.
The exhibition “Art Extends Lives” is created as a place to feel time differently. Artworks that you can spend time with and gain new experiences. Artworks in which we reflect on our way of life, perception, state of mind, relations with the modern world, environment. Research of different processes, new realities and alternative visions of life.
Exhibition artists: Krista Dintere, Ivo Tauriņš, Andrejs Poikāns, Diana Lelis, Maija Demitere, Rogier Jupijn, Paula Vītola, Anna Priedola, Marta Mēness, Kaspars Jaudzems, Anna Meldrāja, Fricis Kalvelis.
Curated by: Paula Vītola
The exhibition is produced by the foundation ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education.
The central event of the project DIVI 9 is a multimedia show “This Love Is Not For Sale”. The show will take place on September 15, 16, 17, and 18 right there, in the Sports 2 quarter. More about the show: https://projektsdivi9.lv/.
Visitors to the exhibition do not need a valid COVID-19 certificate, visitors are asked wear masks and observe physical distancing.
Full programme:
Thursday, September 16, 2021
12.00 – 18.00 the exhibition is open
18.00 – 19.00 exhibition for visitors of the show (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
19.00 – 20.30 performance (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
20.30 – 22.00 the exhibition is open to everyone (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)Friday, September 17, 2021
12.00 – 17.00 the exhibition is open
17.00 – 18.00 exhibition for visitors of the show (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
18.00 – 19.30 performance (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
19.30 Performance event – Ieva Vīksne, Roberts Dinters, Plato Buravickis, Toms Auniņš (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)Saturday, September 18th, 2021
12.00 – 17.00 the exhibition is open
17.00 – 18.00 exhibition for visitors of the show (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
18.00 – 19.30 performance (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
19.30 Electronic music performances (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)Sunday, September 19th, 2021
12.00 – 21.00 the exhibition is open
Monday, September 20th, 2021
12.00 – 21.00 the exhibition is open
Tuesday, September 21st, 2021
12.00 – 21.00 the exhibition is open
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Burn_Slow included in the PIXELACHE programme on June 12th
From May 21 – 22 the project “Burn_Slow: Nordic-Baltic Sound and Radio Art for Mental Well-being” was held on-lineincluding workshops, lectures, concert and contest for young sound artists. International jury has selected ten best works of contest to be presented on June 12, 18:00-20:00 EEST on art and activism festival PIXELACHE HELSINKI 2021: Burn___ online radio program accessible on official festival website: https://burn.pixelache.ac/
Ieva Vīksne. Audio mediataion #Burn_Slow online concert program will include 16 young Nordic-Baltic sound artist audio works – 10 contest winners, 6 honorable mentions as well as works by #Burn_Slow mentors – experienced sound artists and composers – Mantautas Krukauskas (LT), John Grzinich (US/EE), Jacob Remin (DK), Ieva Vīksne (LV) and Krista Dintere (LV). Project is organized by media art organization ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education in collaboration with PIXELACHE and Liepaja University Art Research Laboratory MPLab with funding of Nordic Culture Point.
Masterclass hosted by Jacob Remin young artists are inspired by #Burn_Slow artist talks, workshops and personal experiences and their audio works touch such subjects as listening experience, extended time, being present, revisiting memories with the help of field recordings, acoustic ecology, perception of analog vs. digital radio and other themes.
International jury has selected 10 best artist works of “Burn_Slow: Nordic-Baltic Sound and Radio Art for Mental Well-being” contest. Winners in alphabetical order: Sarah Elizabeth Johnston, Diana Lelis, Andrejs Poikans, Agita Reke, Inga Salurand, Ivo Taurins, Evija Vebere,
Spare Vitola, Milda Ziemane, Elza Ziverte. Honorable mentions: Glociks, Toms Krauklis, Ella-Mai Matsina, MakeMake, Nejausi, Waterflower. Jury members are sound art and electronic music natives and educators John Grzinich (Estonian Academy of Arts, EKA), Krista Dintere (Liepaja University) and Mantautas Krukauskas (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, LMTA).It is still possible to view #Burn_Slow Opening from May 21 with Artist Talks, performance and discussion on the role of sound and art in promoting mental well-being on YouTube:
More info on #Burn_Slow: Nordic-Baltic Sound and Radio Art for Mental Well-being audio program – on project and organizing party websites:
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Sound art competition “Burn_Slow”
From May 21 to 22 ASTE in cooperation with the art and activism festival PIXELACHE and Liepāja University Art Research Laboratory (MPLab) organizes a series of online master classes, lectures and concerts for young sound artists “BURN_SLOW: Baltic and Nordic sound and radio art for spiritual well-being”. The sound artwork created as a result of the project will compete in the competition for paid participation in the online audio program of the international festival PIXELACHE 2021: Burn___. The project has been developed with the financial support of the Nordic Culture Point.
On the afternoon of May 21, public lectures and a discussion on the role of sound in promoting mental well-being will be available to both registered masterclass participants and others interested. Sound artist Krista Dintere will talk about the sense of time and listening techniques, media artist Maija Demitere will introduce slow media art, and media artist Ieva Vīksne will present the technique of biometric data-driven meditation. Masterclass leaders Jacob Remin, John Grzinich, Derek Holzer and Mantautas Krukauskas will also give presentations. Laura Gustafsson (Finland), Creative Director of PIXELACHE, will present the concept of the festival’s 2021 theme BURN___ and lead a panel discussion on the role of sound and art in promoting spiritual well-being.
Participants who will registered, on May 22 will be able to participate in master classes led by sound artists Jakob Remin (Denmark), John Grzinik (USA / Estonia), Derek Holzer (USA / Sweden) and Mantaut Kruskauskas (Lithuania). The master classes will introduce the techniques of media archeology, audio meditation, telematics and sound spatialization, inspiring young sound artists from the Baltic and Nordic countries to create innovative compositions for the audio program of the festival PIXELACHE. At the end of the program on May 22, a sound art performance of master class leaders and participants will take place, meeting remotely and improvising together in a virtual space online.
The 10 best sound artworks created as a result of the project will be played in the audio program of the Finnish art and activism festival PIXELACHE 2021: Burn___ from June 6-13.
To apply for participation in master classes, please fill in the application form: https://forms.gle/7xCTTLZKXctJPGU26
https://festival.pixelache.ac/
Other inquiry:
Anna Priedola (27832477)
Krista Dintere (25997662)
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Online discussion on employment for creative people (in Latvian)
https://update.mplab.lv
Wednesday, March 31, at 18:30 (GMT+3), there will be an online discussion for young people, especially Liepaja residents who want to work in creative industries. The discussion will focus on sharing experiences, examples, opportunities – how to get from an idea to entrepreneurship, and how to use your creative skills and interests to make a profit.
The discussion is organized by Liepāja University Art Research Lab (MPLab), in cooperation with LIAA Liepaja Business Incubator. Liepaja and Liepaja-based young, creative entrepreneurs will share their experience, and try to inspire and encourage young people to start a business, but those who are still studying in schools, to pay attention to learning creative technologies to provide them with ample opportunities in the future.
Discussion participants:Gints Reķēns – Head of LIAA Liepāja Business Incubator, discussion moderator, Nauris Lazdāns – deputy head of Liepāja City Municipality Institution “Department of Culture”, Anna Priedola – head of Liepaja University Art Research lab (MPLab), Kristaps Puķītis – producer and head of Dirty Deal Audio, Agate Ambulte – head of Digital Innovation Park and Mikus Austers – video artist, producer, director, and head of video development company M27. Each participant represents their own field, so that together they can form the most complete view of Liepaja’s creative field.
Being creative in today’s and tomorrow’s job market will require a lot of initiative and determination. To fulfil your visions, you need support, partners and understanding of the opportunities offered by the city. The organizers of the discussion want to encourage creative people to be enterprising and active to achieve the fulfilment of their lives and promote the development of Liepaja.
The discussion is one event in the series “Update. Hybrid Lab”, it is intended for students, high school students, artists, educators and other interested parties. All events are free and can be viewed online. It will be possible to join the discussion in real time (on the ZOOM platform or YouTube), as well as to watch it on YouTube after the event. The application form can be found on the website – https://update.mplab.lv.
Lecture series “Update. Hybrid Lab” is organized by Liepāja University Art Research Laboratory (MPLab, mplab.lv) in cooperation with ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education and the new media culture centre RIXC (rixc.org). “Update. Hybrid Lab” was created with the support of the European Union program “Creative Europe” project “GREEN Revisited. Encountering Emerging Naturecultures”.
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gara.aste.gallery – an online exhibition
The exhibition “Art Extends Lives” is open online – it displays eleven works of media and sound art in a virtual space, which allows the viewer to gain new experiences, new impressions, thus seemingly prolonging their life. The exhibition can be viewed on the website: https://gara.aste.gallery.
The exhibition is inspired by the research of neuroscientist David Eagleman on the perception of time. Eagleman explains with scientific methods why in childhood, when the days are filled with new experiences and discoveries, time passes relatively slower compared to adults who do, see, experience the same thing day by day. Our brains process new experiences and new information slower, whereas it does not waste time and energy reprocessing repetitive information. So, to seemingly prolong their lives, people need to stimulate their brains with new experiences daily, using all the senses available to us. The curator of the exhibition, Paula Vītola, invites you to prolong your life and deviate a little from your daily routine by visiting an online exhibition, because art allows you to gain new experiences and the artist is the person who creates and seeks these new experiences.
The artworks in the exhibition are created as personal research and reflection on lifestyle and perception. Diana Lelis provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in various layers of consciousness and subconscious through meditation and poetry. Krista Dintere has created a composition exploring handicraft as a method to reduce anxiety. Anna Priedola uses dairy products to visualize statistics on the development of dementia. Maija Demitere has created several “slow” media artworks as examples of more sustainable habits. Andrejs Poikāns offers to re-evaluate our daily routine and to fill the calendars with various unusual activities. Līga Vēliņa and Ieva Vīksne have visualized their daily lives in virtual data objects. Various materials and processes are explored in the artworks of Paula Vītola who has created a performance instrument based on simple, historical technologies that can create sound using light. Vītola believed that new experiences that promote curiosity can prolong life and improve its quality. Ivo Tauriņš has studied the material properties of glass in sound composition. The exhibition also features a robot created by Artis Kuprišs that serves as a performance instrument for the new life from a distance.
The exhibition was on display in Liepaja at the end of 2020, and now it is also available online, adapting the works of art to the virtual environment, thus providing an opportunity to see it to anyone interested, regardless of their location.
Exhibition artists: Diana Lelis, Krista Dintere, Līga Vēliņa, Ieva Vīksne, Ivo Tauriņš, Artis Kuprišs, Paula Vītola, Andrejs Poikāns, Anna Priedola, Maija Demitere, Rogier Jupjin.
The exhibition is produced by ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education and Liepaja University Art Research Laboratory (MPLab).
Exhibition is supported by the Liepaja municipality administration, Kurzeme Planning Region, State Culture Capital Foundation and Liepaja University. The exhibition was created with the support of the European Union program “Creative Europe”, the project “GREEN REVISITED. Encountering Emerging Naturecultures”.
