Interactive initiative “Creative Campaigning”
Campaigning lasted through all 4 days creatively inviting MBC participants in random teams where they worked out an advocacy and campaign strategy for their specific selected topic. The team discussions were the key elements of the activity. The teams were formed so that there would be cross cutting participation from different sectors; political activist were working together with media, culture and civil activist. Topics of the campaign themes: Education – Highway to Freedom; Gender Equality – Women Rights in Society; Human Rights – the Death Penalty in Belarus; Stop Activism – #stop_activism exploring the impulse of activism in a provocative way; Art Activism – #дзежывебеларусь; Ecology – waste of consumption etc.
Вынікі галасавання 2016
12 траўня 2016 мы завершылі галасаванне за прэзентацыі для якіх варта (на вашу думку) зарэзерваваць час на MediaBarCamp. Мы атрымалі 84 меркаванні што складае каля 56% ад агульнай колькасці ўдзельнікаў. Такім чынам мы склалі 7 топікаў, яны ніжэй (у парадку папулярнасці) і восмьмая – кінапрэзентацыя. Пераможцы набралі ад 11 да 19 галасоў.
Non – boring picket: how is it done? One cannot say that election campaign in Belarus is a kind of spectacular theater. Candidates and their teams give a weak show. There is an explanation to it, but talking about this is not really interesting. Better let’s see, what can be made to create that “spectacular” image in our environment and our scarce resources. For example, let’s take two “Tell the Truth” election cycles: 2012 parliamentary and 2015 presidential campaign.
Belarus media in social networks: 10 most common mistakes and 10 useful tips. New Reality comes. Traditional media and even websites as we knew them before could not compete with powerful social platforms, smart apps and aggregators. People consume more information but with less doses. 2 sec – that’s exact time you have to drag attention of potential reader with your post on Facebook. Hot Belarusian media can survive during great shift of audience to FB/TW/VK/INSTAGRAM. How Belarusian Radio Svaboda became the most popular Facebook-page in Belarus. How twitter/instagram/telegram, could also be used for information dissemination?
Internet radio as a complementary tool for media. As we have the radio service on our site 34mag.net. I examine internet radio for different uses: as a self-contained project with own programming format, as an enhancing voice for main contents of media, as an interrelated part of rest content, that can support each other, be translated in their language.
Data Art. It’s blurring the boundary between art and information. It’s all about turning information into art and finding the beauty in numbers. I give you some tools for visual explorations of culturally significant data and approaches how it can be visualized in a creative and informative way. We’ll use spreadsheets, archives and digital data as our paints and canvas.
Risk-taking, courage and consequence and politically engaged artists. The main idea of the workshop; to present a series of 10-12 short profiles of political artists from around the world who have created work that involves taking considerable personal risk and exposes them to hostile response from social or governmental forces; to open up a discussion on the role of the artist as mouth piece – or as Burmese comedian Zarganar described himself the loudspeaker of the people, saying the things that others dare not say. Is this a positive role? What is the power of this role, what are its shortcomings?
ЦЭХ – an experiment in social entrepreneurship in Belarus. ЦЭХ – is a creative cluster, an art gallery, a lecture hall, a library, and anything else that its guests, visitors, and clients make out of it. Since 2013, ЦЭХ has been a host to hundreds of one-off lectures and events, as well as recurring photography and journalism trainings. The space’s mission from day one has been to support socially and culturally important initiatives. In a country where philanthropy is nascent, entrepreneurship is disadvantaged, and bottom-up initiatives are discouraged (if not prosecuted), adhering to its mission requires ЦЭХ to innovate and attempt at social entrepreneurship, which doesn’t have much history of practice in Belarus.
Civic activity of musical portal Tuzin.fm. Civic activity of a musical portal Tuzin.fm. We are going to discuss the online and offline actions of one of the oldest internet portals of the Belarusian internet. The musical project actions, created by the team members have often been recognized as the best in their sphere and important for the society on the whole. They concerned such topics as censorship and political prosecution of creative people, death penalty and, naturally, the Belarusian language, history and culture.
Modern internet messengers. Are they secure? Modern internet messengers. Are they secure? Whether they are trustful for your correspondence? What have they become with the appearance of the bots? I want to compare different solutions for communication. What is security by design? Who can read your messages? How they transfer and where they store? What is end-to-end encryption?
What will be on MediaBarCamp?
Workshops
Open Voice – a tool for communication
Your voice is one of the most important components of your identity, as it is as individual as your fingerprints and your DNA. It carries a large part of the emotional content of your message: subtle changes expressing intent and mood are expressed in voice, as it shapes the pitch, intonation and volume of what you say. The workshop will have some physical theatre elements to help you understand yourself and the others. The topic of communication will be enquired. If you want to become a better communicator, it’s important to become more sensitive not only to the body language and nonverbal cues of others, but also to your own. What you need to attend workshop? Curiosity and openness for learning Languages of the workshop: Russian, Belarussian Participants’ number: Max. 25
larp (live-action role-playing) – feel your role
The idea of the workshop is to show the example of combining art and educational issues. When you larp, It’s very important to use your background, your stereotypes and values, to put it into the space and time of play and see what it really means for you. Through larping people are enabled to feel what others feel, to make a step back from their own principles and ways of behaving. It creates a place of creativity and reflection, of enlightenment and overcoming yourself. It will be discussed to which extend we can use media and art forms to achieve educational goals. The scenario (larp) we will play during the workshop will focus on the questions of intercultural understanding, negotiating and decision making. Workshop will include the main elements and will enable the following discussion on effectiveness of this tool. What you need to attend workshop? Will to enquire and explore Languages of the workshop? English, Russian, Belarussian Participants’ number: Max. 25
Let’s move in the box of ‘Out of the Box’
Workshop will invite everyone to take a journey of one’s creativity. Explore the world of original ideas and non-standard decisions. Through different activities we will explore ourselves and the topic of creativity and creative thinking. We will try to understand and rethink the creativity of ourselves in our daily activities. Does creativity matters and how it can help us? What you need to attend workshop? Good mood and curiosity Languages of the workshop? Russian, Belarussian Participants’ number. Max. 25
Re-Strictures: performing writing with social context in mind
This practical workshop will introduce participants to a number of compositional strategies that integrate performance actions and the generation of text. The session will explore the usefulness of ‘restrictions’ when developing work in response to political questions and conditions, through reference to tactics employed by the Vienna Action Group, the Situationist International and the O.U.L.I.P.O writers. At the end of the workshop, each participant will have developed a text/image composition, ready for further development and/or publication online. In case the weather is fine, we’ll work outside. What you need to attend workshop? Bring your digital cameras or camera phones/smart devices Languages of the workshop? English (Russian translation) Participants’ number. Max. 15
Avoiding media manipulation: deconstruction of media message
Workshop will provide a practical knowledge of text analysis and articles structure (photos, words and terms used) to understand who created the message and who is intended to receive it, to learn to uncover hidden meaning of the article. The participants of workshop will gain some skills to become more critical thinkers and perceive the intended message of the media article. Enquire the intentions of using given words, terms or photos/videos in the article. Principles used in the workshop – simple language (understandable for everyone); learning by doing; visualization of information. What you need to attend workshop? Sharp thought and smart eye Languages of the workshop? English. Some examples of media articles could be in Russian. Participants’ number. Max. 25
Graffiti – a language to speak out
A huge amount of graffiti from ancient Rome and Pompeii still survives today. Nowadays graffiti is still used as a way to comment on both local and global politics today, just look at artists like Banksy. For graffiti artists, graffiti is a secret language of self–expression, an urban calligraphy of the oppressed and a screaming political expression of outrage against an unjust and alienating political–economic order. Often the messages out in the streets speak to what is happening in society, it reflects the times we live in. Graffiti helps to have a valuable insight into the wider scale political, social, and economic issues affecting any one particular group of people at a certain time. Graffiti writers are urban shamans and the streets are our modern day caves! –Crayone The workshop will create an opportunity to feel how graffiti language is created. You will get the opportunity to TRY to prepare the tag stencil and do the STREET ART by yourself. Experience the role of Urban Shaman! What you need to attend workshop? Courage and ideas to speak out Languages of the workshop? Russian, Belarussian Participants’ number. Max. 25
Humor – a tool for serious things
Humor has long been recognized as more than mere fun and games. It presents an alternative means of expressing criticism about injustices, arrogance, pretentions or hypocrisies that can’t socially (or legally) be expressed otherwise. The fear of the weapon of humor was alive and well in Soviet-era and Nazi Germany, and it was dangerous business. The use of humor through satirical methods is a powerful tactic that can be transferred to many contexts, no matter whether the humor succeeds in making people laugh or not. The importance of humor as a way of resisting oppression should not be exaggerated, but humor does have a powerful potential infacilitating outreach and mobilization, a culture of resistance and turning oppression upside down. At the personal level, self-irony and joking about one’s own shortcomings are considered to have the greatest impact on self-liberation through humor. Will this also be true for the social level? What happens when a movement in addition to mocking the oppressor uses self-irony and exposes its own mistakes and shortcomings? We will discuss with you how to talk with humor about serious things and create together a video with you. What you need to attend workshop? Sense of humor Languages of the workshop? English and Russian, Belarussian Participants’ number. Max. 25
Metaphors of Monstration
What is a metaphor? Generally speaking, it’s a story or an idea that parallels another pattern or situation. We all use metaphors when we communicate – even if we don’t know we are using them. Metaphors are often said to help explain complex topics. That’s true, but metaphors can do so much more. Metaphors engage the right brain – just like stories. They by-pass rationality and lower rational defenses level. That’s why metaphors can make you more persuasive, and help you speak out and be understood. Imagery – the core of metaphoric language – will surprise, grab, inform, and persuade your audience as mere explanation will not. Vivid language will distinguish you from the swarm, will make you heard above the drone, will make you that rare person today: a communicator who gets results. ~ Anne Miller Workshop will create an opportunity to work with your slogans as metaphors to speak about things you care. You will have an opportunity to engage into creative process of creating metaphors and prepare for the monstration format. What you need to attend workshop? Intention to speak out Languages of the workshop? Russian Participants’ number. Max. 25
Body of Transformation
What is “transformation”? What is “change”? During the workshop we would explore these concepts in unusual ways: through the symbolic and intuitive potential of our bodies, through embodied imagination and performative expressions. The participants would have a chance to reconnect to their bodies and psyche, and also to each other’s’ symbolic potentials, would gain the inspiration from the collective archetypes that usually become visible during this kind of processes and would explore their own emotional backgrounds in relation to the concepts of social change and social transformation which are often taken mainly rationally. Through the form of interactive and participatory Theatre of the Oppressed a safe space will be created for people to rehearse their actions and find various opportunities for social transformation which can later be used in real life. What you need to attend workshop? Comfortable clothes that don’t limit your creative potential would be an advantage Languages of the workshop? English, Russian Participants’ number. Max. 25
Museum of the 21st century history: opportunity to rethink
The workshop will have two parts: Part I – The museum of everything – where the principles and ideas are discussed, the expositions planned. The journey of creativity and intrigue is guaranteed! Part II – The court of human rights – simulation of the process where the words has huge power. The principles and evidence – visual – are important. Speak out for your rights! The principles used in the workshop: freedom to choose, freedom of expression (safe space), non-competition, voice of everyone is important, cooperation friendly environment. What you need to attend workshop? Adventurism and freedom Languages of the workshop? Russian Participants’ number. Max. 20
Urban Soviet Propaganda – how to make it unacceptable
The main question of the workshop: how to prevent the symbols of Soviet totalitarianism to remain on the streets and in public places. The workshop will enquire the topic of the discussion with the ones who do not see anything wrong with the promotion of the former regime and communist ideology in the public urban space. The case studies of urban Sovietisation will be presented for the participants to work with and come up with the ideas of Desovietisation of urban environment. This will be the experiment of visual interpretation of the soviet object to bring the attention of people surrounded by the old times symbols, which hides a propaganda message. The best ideas of the groups of participants might be realized after the MediaBarCamp. What you need to attend workshop? Sharp eye and a will to work with visual information Languages of the workshop? Russian Participants’ number. Max. 25
Board Game – city management
“Palitovichy” is a lively and interesting way to learn the foundations of local self-government process. Participants should manage the city in the context of limited resources, as is usually the case in life, to solve the issues of taxes and budget, as well as holding talks with representatives of the other parties to defend their interests. Depending on the audience, the game can achieve a variety of purposes. http://palitovichy.net/ – downloadable version. What you need to attend workshop? Enthusiasm and good mood Languages of the workshop? English, Russian, Belorussian Participants’ number. Max. 30
Discussions
The Don Quixotes of nowadays
The moderator – Mr. Marius Gailius, a Lithuanian journalist and literary author. The discussion aims to inquire the topic of the ideas and roles of Don Quixotes and Sancho Panzas in nowadays society where chivalrous people from parties and NGO’s proceed doing their best to make an impact and change in Belarus. After 400 years of the novel by Miguel de Cervantes the archetypes are still important and alive. The questions of the discussion: Where does this “heroic” path lead and what is the future of policy makers? How to distinguish between real change and an illusion? On what circumstances visions become practical? What motivational criteria drives Don Quixotes to act. Who are these Sancho Panzas to help Don Quixotes with their goals?
Art and Transformation
The moderator – Dr. Margarita Jankauskaitė, PhD, an art historian, social activist and university instructor. From 2014 an active member of Lithuanian Social Democratic party. The discussion aims to inquire the topic of art and it’s relation with transformation in the society, politics. The questions of the discussion: Is the ‘marriage’ of art and politics possible? Concepts of art and activism – possibilities on a crossroad? Interactions of activism and politics – limitations and possibilities. Art is immortal, what about activism?
The Art of Equality
The moderator – Dr. Margarita Jankauskaitė, PhD, an art historian, social activist and university instructor. From 2014 an active member of Lithuanian Social Democratic party. The features of art of equality compared to “just” art. One or many of equalities? Whose equality we have/have not been talking about? We wanted the best, it turned out as always: art as a tool to (re)produce (in)equality.
Evening buzz
Open Mic – share your talent
Everyone will have an opportunity in 10-15 min. to demonstrate ones “talent“ – poetry, songs, dances, jokes – anything is acceptable. It doesn’t require some special talents of yours – you can teach an origami or tell a short story or sing and teach everyone a song, explain something or surprise with some interesting facts. Important is to share – and you have so much to share with the others. Just let everyone know something about you. Open yourself for the others. Fill in the agenda of Open Mic.
Quiz – explode your mind
Quiz is a kind of mind game played by teams. During the game players should answer questions (by writing answers on small sheets of paper) announced by quizmaster. There are many specific formats of questions, but generally, the sense of game is to solve maximum amount of puzzles for a limited time. The key moment in mind games is not knowledge, but ability to find an answer by thinking out. What you need to attend quiz? Desire to exercise your brain and have a good time with your teammates. Languages of the workshop? Belarusian and English Participants’ number. Teams of 3-6 players
Documentary
CRIMEA.UNCONQUERED by the Krym.Realii
(Crimean Desk of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) tells a story about protests by Crimean’s in the first days of the illegal annexation of the peninsula by Russia in February-March 2014. The documentary contains a dramatic archival footage of the standoff by the Crimean parliament on February 26, 2014. Authors of the 20-minutes documentary are journalists, editors and producers of Krym.Realii (Крым.Реалии): Volodymyr Prytula – editor-in-chief, Ekaterina Nekrecha, Alexandr Yankovskiy, Stanislav Yurchenko and others. Language: ENG&RU sub
AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY
Documentary. AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY is the inside story of a dissident for the digital age who inspires global audiences and blurs the boundaries of art and politics. First-time director Alison Klayman gained unprecedented access to Ai while working as a journalist in China. Her detailed portrait provides a nuanced exploration of contemporary China and one of its most compelling public figures. Ai Weiwei is China’s most famous international artist, and its most outspoken domestic critic. Against a backdrop of strict censorship and an unresponsive legal system, Ai expresses himself and organizes people through art and social media. In response, Chinese authorities have shut down his blog, beat him up, bulldozed his newly built studio, and held him in secret detention.