VARVARA & MAR: “From Code to Magic” // a manifold event

Varvara Guljajeva & Mar Canet will introduce and discuss a number of their artistic projects involving technology, data sculpturing and audience interaction. The aim of the talk is to demonstrate the creative side of code and how it could become something tangible and a magical experience for people.

Varvara & Mar have been working together as an artist duo since 2009. They have exhibited their works in a number of international shows and festivals. In 2014 the duo has been commissioned by Google and Barbican Centre a new art piece for the “Digital Revolution” exhibition. And last year their public art proposal for Green Square Library and Plaza in Sydney was nominated for the second and the final stage.

The artist duo locates itself in the field of art and technology and is concerned about the new forms of art, and in particular the playfulness of expression, which technology can provide within this context. They challenge technology and traditional production methods in order to explore novel concepts in art and design, often using computer programming, hardware design and research to create interactive new media installations and projects. In addition to kinetic and interactive installations the artists have also experience with working in public space and with urban media. They have participated with their art installation “Binoculars to… Binoculars from…” in Connecting Cities project, connecting seven different cities in real-time.

Varvara & Mar are also the creators of open-source knitting machines “Knitic” and “Circular Knitic”. “Circular Knitic” project has received two awards in 2015: Fablab Award (third prize) and 3D Printing Contest by Instructables (first prize).

Varvara Guljajeva is originally from Estonia, gained her bachelor degree in IT from Estonian IT College, masters degree in digital media from ISNM Lübeck University in Germany and currently is a PhD candidate at the Estonian Art Academy in the department of Art and Design.

Mar Canet (born in Barcelona) has two degrees: In art and design from ESDI in Barcelona and in computer game development from University Central Lancashire in UK. He is also a co-founder of Derivart and Lummo.

Manifold is a soon to be launched online journal focusing on design, technology, art and everyday life.