Open Call | Virtual Workspaces by Edit Kaldor

"Ghost in the Machine"

by Edit Kaldor:

"McLuhan’s observations about technology becoming an extension of ourselves spring to mind when looking at the way we relate to our mobile devices today. These devices, our phones and laptops, have become constant companions and to a great extent also part of our identities. According to a recent study, European adults spend on average about 3 hours on their mobile phones, and pick up the device 58 times a day. Since the beginning of the pandemic this has even increased, and quite substantially. As with other aspects of our lives, the pandemic has magnified what was already there: in this case the fact that we spend a large part of our waking hours on screens. For some of this time we are in communication with others, but for much of it we’re just alone with the device, without the involvement of another human “at the other end of the line.” As our entanglement with our mobile devices continues to increase, it feels like there is never a moment to stop and observe, reflect and evaluate the impact of this intensive and consuming relationship. What is it actually producing? What emotions are involved? How is it changing us? How are our thinking, our skills and habits influenced by the formats, processes, and algorithms that we are constantly encountering while engaging with the device? What is the nature of this intimacy? How strong is the attachment? And where do we want to take it from here?

During this edition of the Virtual Workspace, we will explore the blurry territory between us humans and the machines we are so closely entwined with in our daily lives. We will delve into, mess around with and bend the intimate relationship we have with our mobile devices. We’ll work practically, experimenting with the performative potential in engaging with these machines, and through them with ourselves. In playful and serious ways we’ll warp their existing features and use basic schemes to elicit new ones. We’ll try to develop artificial dialogues together using a toolkit and unearth internal thought processes. During the workshop, participants will develop small, spontaneous performative responses based on shared procedures, but rooted in their own urges, desires and fears towards the encounter with their mobile device. It is a laboratory mode of working where also the seemingly vague, far-out or “stupid” ideas can be tried out, where inexplicable impulses and obsessions can be pursued, materials swapped or combined, and various forms of collaborations tried out. During the work, a playful and shameless approach is encouraged, which allows for welcoming risk and pushing materials through failure into unexpected territories."

Applications from artists with different activity profiles (playwrights, theater directors, visual artists, actors, dramaturges, etc.) and students are welcome.

Anybody who has a laptop and a mobile telephone, with preference for arts practitioners –important to be willing to play around, experiment, go into the unknown– can apply.

Selected participants need to have a laptop (or desktop) and a mobile phone during the sessions – if possible with Zoom installed on both (if not possible then only on laptop/desktop).

They need to be willing to have the camera on in Zoom during the workspace sessions.

A group of 12 participants will be selected to take active part in the workspace.

Additionally, a group of participants will be selected to observe the workspace.

There is no charge for taking part in the meetings.

The sessions will be held in English.

The meetings will be recorded via the Zoom platform.