Digital meets Culture

immersed in a beautiful landscape, remains of military buildings recall the wars that inflamed the area.

Discovering the historical landscape of the Upper Vjosa valley

text and images by Egla Serjani, CeRPHAAL

A particular feature of the historical landscape of the Upper Vjosa valley are the military building remains, resulting from the militarization program of WWII, when the area was a battle front line during Italo-Greek conflict, and also during the 1945-1990 when the entire country was intensively militarized as part of political vision for the protection of Albania in the Cold War. These structural remains include, bunkers, trenches, command posts, subterranean army storage, air raid shelters, and etc.

One of the proposed actions of CeRPHAAL in the INCULTUM project, aims at recording and evaluating these built heritage spaces, and brings insights for their future protection and management. Therefore, during October, CeRPHAAL undertook a survey, in order to identify those that constitute future touristic assets. Among them, there are two military areas, both situated in the town of Permet: the barracks built by the Italian army during the early 1940’s; and a garrison established during the 1970s’, consisting of barracks, subterranean tunnels, ammunition stores, trenches, and etc. In the next moths, in collaboration with the MoP, a management strategy plan will be compiled, aiming the protection and future engagement in local touristic agenda of these abandoned building as part of community’s past memory and identity.

Discover more about INCULTUM Pilot 8: https://incultum.eu/pilots/8-vjosa-the-shared-river/

Antwerp, 27th November 2021 - a citizen science event from CitizenHeritage project

Mapping Fashion Heritage through Patterns

On 27 November 2021, at MoMu-bibliotheek & Dries Van Noten Study Center, Nationalestraat 28, 2000 Antwerp took place Mapping Fashion Heritage Through Patterns, a workshop organised by EFHA – European Fashion Heritage Association and ModeMuseum Antwerp, in collaboration with KU Leuven, University of Antwerp and Erasmus University Rotterdam.

The event is an edit-a-thon – or, as we decided to call it, a Pattern-a-thon: an initiative aimed at uncovering and recovering patterns, engaging students, designers and researchers in enriching Wikipedia through creating patterns of fashion objects.

Patterns are the translation onto paper of the idea, adapted to fit the human body. When we wear a garment – any garment – we often forget the calculation and processes behind it from bidimensional paper copy to a three-dimensional object, something that speaks about the craftsmanship and knowledge necessary to get to the final result.

[Show as slideshow]

All photos courtesy of Fred Truyen.

The workshop was based on MoMu’s Study Collection, recently remade available for direct consultation in the MoMu-bibliotheek & Dries Van Noten Study Center. It started with a small workshop on pattern-making; then, the participants created patterns of the objects in the fashion collection and donate them to Wikimedia Commons, for everybody to use and re-use. We all agree that patterns are a way to better understand clothes, their creators and their wearers. For those who look after and preserve objects related to costume and fashion, patterns are the key to unlocking the stories behind who designed and made what we now consider heritage.

DISCOVER THE EVENT:
https://www.citizenheritage.eu/citizen-science-workshops/antwerp/

25-27 November 2021

The arts as a relevant agent for social change – the IETM Satellite Meeting “Tomorrow is here”

IETM, the International network for contemporary performing arts is a large international cultural networks, representing over 500 performing arts organisations and individual professionals working in the contemporary performing arts worldwide.
From 25 to 27 November, the 2021 edition of IETM Satellite Meeting will be held in Girona, co-organised by the Institut Català de Les Empreses Culturals – Catalan Arts and Institut Ramon Llull, in collaboration with the Temporada Alta Festival and the Girona City Council.
The aim of event, titled “Tomorrow is here“, is to explore new ways to reposition the arts as a relevant agent for social change.

Participants will be able to choose from three different thematic threads, each exploring a particular space for social change:

New funding schemes and cultural policies – about emergence, dialogue and artistic intelligence.
Alternative models for the international – this strand intends to reflect to find alternative international way of working, starting from the fundamental needs of human fulfilment.
Opportunities for artistic innovation – ideas and good practices of how innovation can be integrated in artistic work.

The programme of Satellite Girona provides:

presentations on initiatives that have promoted social change and ways to deconstruct the role of the arts in the society;
Specific considerations on how the COVID-19 pandemic experience has shaped and is shaping our today and our tomorrow.
different working groups, each focused on one of three thematic threads, which will come together to think about actions, ideas and changes for “tomorrow”.

In addition, the programme includes some artistic performances, selected by a specific commission, and 2 trips (a pre-meeting trip and a post-meeting trip) that will be organized around the city of Girona to visit other cities and towns hosting innovative projects with a creative and cultural thrust.

The event will have a hybrid format, on-site and online and some of the meeting activities are organized so that online participants can actively take part as well.

Learn more about the Satellite Girona programme here.

Beijing, CAFA Art Museum, 8 November - 12 December 2021

Situ Zhaoguang retrospective exhibition in Beijing

Situ Zhaoguang is one of the most renowned sculptors of China.

His oeuvres are considered true masterpieces and he spent most of his life teaching students at the Sculpture Department at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.

Now, the CAFA Art Museum hosts a great exhibition to showcase his works and life.

Among the exhibition designers, Zhaoguang’s son Situ Xiaochun, also a sculptor himself, curated the exhibition about his father.

More about Zhaoguang: https://www.cafamuseum.org/en/exhibit/detail/875

Images and artworks from the retrospective: https://www.cafamuseum.org/en/artist/detail/350

[Show as slideshow]

all photos courtesy of Situ Xiaochun

A selection of heritage photographs of Zhaoguang’s life and family was recently digitized and is hosted on Promoter Digital Gallery, and was shared to Europeana in the framework of the successfully concluded PAGODE – Europeana China project.

View Zhaoguang photoalbum: https://digitalgallery.promoter.it/items/browse?collection=4

Images from the exhibition presentation event and conference, by Situ Zhixia:

[Show as slideshow]

pilot presentation for the DU Archaeological Society to showcase the ongoing work on mid-19th century burial practices

Historic Graves pilot from INCULTUM: new video presentation

INCULTUM partner Eachtra is engaged in The Historic Graves project, that is a community focused, grassroots heritage project where local community groups are trained in low-cost, high-tech field surveys of historic graveyards; also recording their own oral histories.

In September 2021, dr. John Tierny was invited by the DU Archaeological Society for a presentation to a student group in Trinity College Dublin, to showcase the ongoing work on mid-19th century burial practices in times of epidemic/pandemic/famine, using the 19th century Irish potato famine as a case study. A video was prepared as a tour of some of the sites in West Waterford.

The LIDAR & Multispec survey work at Pulla cemetery was funded by an RIA Archaeology Grant 2021 & the LIDAR data was very kindly made available by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Dr Steve Daivs of UCD Archaeology Dept did the LIDAR processing and Dr Paul Naessens of Western Aerial Surveys did the drone/UAV surveys. Making of the video was funded from the #Incultum project as part of the research into communicating archaeology for community benefit.

Read More about the Pilot 9 Historic graves in Ireland

ARCH project workshop, València, 27 September 2021

ARCH thermal modelling workshop: future alternative land use scenarios for city of València

ARCH (Saving Cultural Heritage) is an EU-funded H2020 project focused on preserving areas of cultural heritage from the dangers and risks of climate change.
Cities always more frequently face extreme events that endanger cultural heritage and historic urban center, this project intends to develop a disaster risk management framework to assess and improve the resilience of historic areas to climate change and natural hazards.

The project will design methods, tools and models to support local authorities and practitioners, the urban population, and national and international expert communities in decision-making.
These tools and methodologies will be developed in a co-creative approach with the pilot cities of Bratislava, Camerino, Hamburg and València, involving local policy makers, practitioners and community members.

Last 27th September 2021, València ARCH project team organised the workshop: “Modelling of Thermal Regulation Ecosystem Services provided by the Huerta and Albufera in relation to the city of València.”

In the workshop, alternative land use scenarios were presented, which will be considered to assess the thermal influence of the periurban environment on València metropolitan area. The thermal modelling work carried out in ARCH was presented as well as the main results already obtained in relation to current land use in the metropolitan area.

A specific discussion concerned the description of two possible alternative land use scenarios:

one based on the protection and expansion of the peri-urban green and blue infrastructure, called “green” scenario, the best case.
the other, “grey” scenario, with an uncontrolled urban growth, the worst case.

Participants were involved in the discussion thanks to a specific web app designed to allow them to propose specific areas where potential land use changes could be considered under such what-if scenarios.

Further information about ARCH at savingculturalheritage.eu

a Lighting Talk in the programme of the Europeana main conference will present WEAVE approach to connecting communities

WEAVE at Europeana 2021: Recover, Rebuild, Grow

Europeana 2021 will explore how the cultural heritage sector can recover, rebuild and grow in a post-pandemic world. The rich programme of talks, panel discussions and presentations promises a great engagement with all the attendees.

70% of the programme for Europeana 2021 – over 30 sessions – was co-created with cultural heritage professionals across the sector who responded to a call for proposals. Among those, the WEAVE project community is happy to present the work that is ongoing for enabling engagement of various communities with their cultural heritage, also with an eye on discussing the mainstream representation of minority communities heritage, advocating for a more inclusive and balanced approach.

The talk about WEAVE, conducted by Antonella Fresa representing Photoconsortium, takes place on 11th November at 2 pm.

WEAVE will also be showcased in the virtual poster session that animates the conference virtual space.

Discover and register: https://pro.europeana.eu/post/announcing-our-programme-for-europeana-2021

18 November 2021, online event

The Annual Policy Conversation “A Cultural Deal for Europe”

The Cultural Deal for Europe is a call to acknowledge the central role of culture in shaping the future of Europe.

It was launched in November 2020 by Culture Action Europe (CAE), European Cultural Foundation (ECF) and Europa Nostra.

Its annual event will take place on 18 November 2021, bringing together the European cultural scene and European policy makers to engage in dialogue, share ideas and develop the way forward to place culture at the center of the European project.

The event aims to involve the wider European community of heritage stakeholders:
artists, creatives, cultural workers, heritage operators, volunteers and civil society organizations are invited to participate and discuss building a future more resilient and sustainable for Europe and its citizens.

The debate will focus on the role of cultural heritage and culture to Europe’s recovery and to its green, more sustainable and inclusive future through the European Green Deal, the Conference on the Future of Europe and the New European Bauhaus.

The edition will be held from 15:00 to 18:00 CET in a hybrid format: at Bozar, Brussels and virtually.

To follow the live online debate it is necessary to register by 15 November at this link.

To learn more about the Cultural Deal for Europe:

online, 10-12 November 2021

Europeana 2021: Recover, Rebuild, Grow

Europeana 2021 will explore how the cultural heritage sector can recover, rebuild and grow in a post-pandemic world. Each day will begin with an address from a leading keynote speaker to inspire and inform your experience. 70% of the programme for Europeana 2021 – over 30 sessions – was co-created with cultural heritage professionals across the sector who responded to our call for proposals. In the afternoon, you can explore the rich results and join a variety of interactive and engaging presentations, workshops and activities.

Discover and register: https://pro.europeana.eu/post/announcing-our-programme-for-europeana-2021

On Wednesday 10 November, the conference will explore putting values at the heart of Europe’s digital future. We are delighted to be joined by Yvo Volman, acting Director of the Data directorate in the Directorate General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission, and George Oates, CEO & Founder Museum in a Box, for keynote speeches, followed by a panel session and Q&A. Attendees will get a deeper understanding of the Commission’s vision for a digital Europe and its ambitions for Europeana at the heart of the data space for cultural heritage. You will be able to listen to and engage in debate around what constitutes a healthy digital public space, explore how a ‘single market for data’ relates to an open and trusted digital public space, and the unique contribution that the heritage sector can make to a values-led digital agenda.

On Thursday 11 November, the focus will turn to ensuring sustainable digital transformation. As challenges from climate change through to the COVID-19 pandemic drive us to look again at the lasting impact of our action, the conference will explore how policy agendas and initiatives such as the Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus provide us with opportunities to collaborate across sectors. This can help us to share knowledge, create new experiences and use our digital transformation to contribute to a sustainable future for Europe. The day’s keynote address will be given by Secretary General of Europa Nostra, Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, who will be joined afterwards by thought-leaders in the sector for a panel and Q&A discussion.

Finally, on Friday 12 November, the conference will expand on using technology to drive social change. Together, we will explore how technology can help our sector understand and improve its offer to the people we serve, provide access to previously inaccessible information, democratise knowledge, connect with audiences and give voice to marginalised groups. Pier Luigi Sacco, Professor of Cultural Economics, IULM University Milan, will give the final keynote address of the conference and then explore the topic further in a panel session and Q&A following his speech.

online, 17th November 2021

WEAVE LabDay: Poetry and Photography

In preparing the content materials for the aggregation to Europeana, partner TopFoto referenced its inaugural writer-in-residence, Rommi Smith and her residency-collaboration with musician and composer, Christella Litras. This residency, TopFoto’s expertise and its collaboration with artist-researcher, Rommi Smith, has led to the planning of a WEAVE LabDay that is geared towards artists, researchers, archivists, CHIs and other key stakeholders that engage with photographic content. This LabDay also features contributions including from John Balean, Operations Manager at TopFoto.

This exclusive, critical-creative, practice-based event takes place before a brand-new exhibition, curated by Smith, of residency-related photographs at the North Wall Gallery, Oxford, 10-29 January 2022.

The TopFoto Poetry and Photography LabDay will comprise two parts:

Part 1: A critical-creative talk led by Rommi Smith. This LabDay will incorporate moments of practice-related insights from artists Rommi Smith and Christella Litras. Litras, a musician within the residency, will be playing her keyboard. This first section will also incorporate: the remote performance of extracts of creative work from the TopFoto residency; a three-way, interdisciplinary conversation between Smith, Litras and WEAVE convenor, Rosa Cisneros – concluding with a Q&A where audience questions are welcomed.

Part 2: A generative workshop utilising a selection of photos from the TopFoto archive as a starting point for short poems, monologues and short stories. Participants will discover and utilise some of the methods Smith utilises in her own creative process as the inaugural writer-in-residence for TopFoto. Litras will support the workshop, performing improvised music which will inspire the flow of words and narratives. The workshop space is open to everyone, regardless of prior creative writing experience.

More info and registration: https://weave-culture.eu/2021/10/19/poetry-photography/