In 2012, the Trashlab/Renewable Festivals theme began. This cluster of learning opportunities related to sustainable, low-carbon, renewable use and decentralised production of do-it-ourselves energy. Included for exploration are waste materials, biomass, kinetic-mechanic, solar & wind sources for electricity, as well as alternative human sustenance in our cultural production models, considering change holistically. This theme was proposed by Antti Ahonen (Pixelache member & Koelse.org).

In 2013, this project evolved into Trashlab, which has been a central project of Pixelache since then.

‘Trashlab’

Trashlab monthly events explore experimental art-design-technology practice between hacker and maker cultures, in the context of re/up-cycling and the increased availability of new fabrication tools. Trashlab’s objective is to build up a community of people (artists, designers, hackers, makers, re/up-cyclers, activists) who are concerned with material and electronic waste in contemporary society, and tackle this problem with creative and tangential approaches.

On a monthly basis a multifaceted set of groups (Koelse, Kokomys, local Helsinki makers initiating the process) will bring their practice to Aalto Media Factory, and other locations, Polymer Cultural Factory (Tallinn), Wasteland Festival (Kouvola) over the year. They (and Pixelversity) aim to encourage a peer-based learning environment related to hacking electronics, appropriate technology for renewable energy production/usage, digital fabrication and re/up-cycling materials.

Aalto Media Factory supported the initiative in 2012 with inkind use of venue and staff support, and support for the ‘Talking Trash’ lecture series detailed below. Furthermore, Trashlab was one of Pixelache Helsinki’s contributions to Alternative Design Capital 2012.

‘Talking Trash(lab)’ Lectures

A lecture series called ‘Talking Trash(lab) will be organised to complement, which invites local, regional and European guests to speak on related topics, as a presentation on Friday early evening before each Trashlab workshop. Keywords: trash, waste, recycling, upcycling, electronics, digital fabrication, social-interface, community development, peer-produced documentation. Confirmed lecturers’ biographies will be added in the near future.

Each lecture will be documented as a video stream live, and available for future viewing.

In addition, ‘Light is History’ project by co-applicants Karthikeya Acharya and Samir Bhowmik (see ‘Creative Neighbourhood Skills’ theme) will be followed as case-example throughout the year for the overlaps fostered by Trashlab.

The ‘Talking Trash(lab)’ lectures series and support for ‘Light is History’ project is funded by Aalto Media Factory project grant.

Schedule in 2012

(Non-bolded text below to be confirmed. Further location info, please scroll to bottom of page)

14.01. from 13.00-16.00: Tietotalkoot
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.

17.02. from 17.30-19.30: Lecture by Antti Ahonen (Koelse, FI)
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.
>> Blog post & Facebook event & Video-stream & Slides [1.3mb PDF]

18.02. from 13.00-16.00: Tietotalkoot
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.

13-22.03.: Trashlab Tallinn Workshop “Down and Dirty in Polymer”, ending with REUSE Exhibition opening
Culture Factory Polymer, Ülase 16/Madara 22, Tallinn.
>> Blog post & photos here + here

15.03. from 18.00-20.00: Lecture by Harmen Zijp & Diana Wildschut (de Spullenmannen, NL)
Von Krahl Theatre, Rataskaevu 10, Tallinn.
>> Blog post & Facebook event

16.03. from 17.30-19.30: Lecture by Harmen Zijp & Diana Wildschut (de Spullenmannen, NL)
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.
>> Facebook event & Slides [9.3mb PDF]

19.3. from 18.00-20.00: Fake It Til You Make It workshop by Justin Tyler (Polymer, EE)
Ptarmigan, Toom-Kooli 13, Tallinn.
>> Blog post

13.04. from 17.30-19.30: Lecture by Ernest Truely (Polymer / Baltic Film & Media School, EE)
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.
>> Blog post & Facebook event & Video-stream

14.04. from 13.00-19.00: Trashlab/Fablab Workshop
Fab Lab, Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.

05.05. from 13.00-19.00: Trashlab/Fablab Workshop
Fab Lab, Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.

10.05. from 18.00-20.00: Lecture by Jennifer Gabrys (Goldsmiths Uni., UK)
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.
>> Blog post & Facebook event & Video-stream

12.05. from 12.00-20.00: Demo-stall by Kulturlabor Triar & Error (Berlin, DE)
Arbis Education Centre, Dagmarinkatu, Helsinki.
>> Blog post

07.06. from 17.30-19.30: Lecture by Peter Kuria Githinji (SHALIN Helsinki ry, FI)
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.
>> Blog post & Facebook event & Video-stream

20-22.07. from ??.00-??.00: Renewable Festivals’ Gathering
Wasteland Festival, Kouvola.
>> Blog-post & Video-clip

30.08. from 17.30-19.30: Lecture by James Wallbank (Access Space, UK)
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.
>> Blog-post & Facebook event & Video-stream

31.08. from 16.00-18.00: Trashlab expedition to electric & electronic waste sorting station
Sortti Station, Betonitie 3, Konala, Helsinki.
>> Blog-post

04.10. from 17.30-19.30: Lecture by Maria Törn (Aalto Lahti Centre, FI)
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.
>> Blog-post & Facebook event & Video-stream & Slides [6.2mb PDF]

18.10. from 17.30-19.30: Lecture by Reet Aus (Reet Aus Design, EE)
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.
>> Blog-post & Facebook event & Video-stream & Slides [1.4mb PDF]

20-21.10. from 11.00-18.00: Trashlab contribution to Wärk Festival
Kaapelitehdas, Helsinki.
>> Blog-post

15.11. from 17.30-19.30: Lecture by Cindy Kohtala (CS/Aalto Design, FI)
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.
>> Blog-post & Facebook event & Video-stream & Slides [11mb PDF]

25.11.-1.12. from 17.00-19.00: Light is History community art space by Karthikeya Acharya & Samir Bhowmik
Hakaniementori, Helsinki.
>> Blog post

13.12. from 17.30-19.30: Lecture by Karthikeya Acharya & Samir Bhowmik (Aalto Design/Media, FI)
Aalto Media Factory, Hämeentie 135 A, Helsinki.

15.12. from 18.00-20.00: Repair Cafe, led by Justin Tyler Tate
Pixelache office, Kaasutehtaankatu 1, Rakennus/Building 7

Contacts

Andrew Paterson (Pixelache, FI): andrew [-at-] pixelache.ac
Antti Ahonen (Koelse/Pixelache, FI): aahonen [-at-] gmail.com
Mikko Laajola (Pixelache/Kokomys, FI): mikko.laajola [-at-] gmail.com
Sara Milazzo (Pixelache/Koelse/Wasteland Festival, FI): pajazzo [-at-] gmail.com
Anu Määttä (Aalto Media Factory, FI): anu.maatta [-at-] aalto.fi
Ernest Truely (Culture Factory Polymer, EE): ernesttruely [-at-] yahoo.com
Cindy Kohtala (Aalto Design, FI): cindy.kohtala [-at-] aalto.fi

Locations

Aalto Media Factory: Hämeentie 135 A (Arabiakeskus entrance), Arabia, Helsinki, Finland. Map.
Polymer Cultural Factory: Ülase 16/Madara 22, 10613, Tallinn, Estonia. Map.
Arbis Education Centre: Address, Helsinki, Finland. Map.
Wasteland Festival: Address, Kouvola, Finland. Map.