Tag Archives: Gračac

Open Hardware Run Autonomous Energy System

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Antonios Galanopoulos presented open hardware, DIY system for energy autonomy he is developing. It is open hardware beagle-box with a bit of code and lots of DIY ingenuity that is running a 12 volts system stationed in the 1 € box.

Antonious runs it on his London based boat that harvests the solar energy and calculates outside and water temperature to inside temperature and runs generator if the consumptions is bigger than input. His system inspired us to think about DIY control of the Centre for Creative Solutions.

After living MMK on Sunday 5 o’clock morning he was driving for 17 hours straight in his little van to reach Greece border. He was one of the longest MMK14 participants on AiR program with smallest trash footprint at his quarters.

 

 

 

Listening to Nature

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Tin Dožić and Kruno Jošt conducted a field recording workshop. It took participants to nature and explained the basics of sound recordings and of field recording history.

Workshop had a listening part where participants focused on the sounds around them and were repeating them to get in contact between listening and producing the sound.

A walk was taken where each participant was focusing on the changes of the environment around them only by listening sounds

DIY underwater microphone was also used to listen to the water streams and springs.

Water Quality at MMK14

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A group lead by Kristian Tkalec and Brian Degger visited MMK14 spring to check for drinking water quality. This spring is used by al near villages for drinking water.

Research conducted by participants of the workshop showed that water had quite a bit of minerals and was low in NO2.

Besides three springs that were checked also nearby river Otuča gave excellent results in low Nitrogen.

Abundance of MMK14 workshops

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After the AiR programs MMK14 is coming to the stage when most events take place trough joint events: Hackatron, RAD, MAD, Nameless Symposium and Future Environments un-conference.

Camp is growing with colourful tents.

Guests are coming from Slovenia, Austria, Greece, Croatia and UK.

After un-conference style collective time line building

Antonious lead workshop on edible wide greens

where part of the food for a DIY VEGY GRILL workshop was collected.

Astronomers were having workshops on stars and constellations, sun and moon was observed.

There was joggling workshops,

wood workshop

and more techy, encryption and TOR workshops

After the workshops crew has spread around. We took a road up to the hills, and barely made it trough ruff terrain to the point of beautiful view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tying down the dome

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Due to heavy winds last 2 days we had to find a good way to secure geo dome’s cover. Wind is lifting the cover, coming under the tent. Heavy wind blows are breaking strings holding the tent cover to wooden poles.

We found out that best thing to do is tie down the dome with two crossing ropes.

 

Recycle Art Dome at MMK14

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RAD is project that considers recycling/upcycling in all possible ways. It recycles old plastic bottles for hanging gardens, parts of old computer sets for plants containers, old wood for constructing toilet sits and so on. At MMKamp we constructed a modular chair and table from leftovers found in the city.

First we had to construct a seat,

but thinking modular, so the chair can also be used as table.

 

 

 

Water and MMK14

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During rain cycles of recent days lots of thought was put to water politics, local resources and freedom of energy. H2O is being discussed as one of the most potential energy sources with infinite energy theory and Black Light Inc hydruino. Until commercial product that can deliver 3, 4, or 10 times more energy from water, we are stuck to DIY applications harnessing water power.

In the MMK14 area there is more than 30 fresh water springs ranging from small stream  ones to full blast ones.

Closest one to MMK location is underground water spring arranged by local villagers for their consumption. A place looks magical with willow tree next to it.

Heavy rains can influence small streams that are running criss cross the area.  Large lakes can form at places where medows were.

Ričice lake is stable one that provides water for Zadar kilometres away with modern aqueduct. Its untouched nature captures the eye.

Untill infinite energy technology arrives, this area can be populated with pico and micro hydro electricity production. Part of the MMKamp and Future Environments unconference will be dedicated to this ideas.

Rains causing delay in preparation

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Idleness caused by the heavy rains obstructed our plans to erect geo-dome tent prepared for the lab, so we erected a temporary bio lab that was devastated by the wind and rain. Most of the equipment suffered from the humidity.

The terrain was under water, so infrastructure building was also stopped.

We required new equipment, rubber boots, and spent our days surviving in the driest area.

One of the older locals commented that rains of this proportion are not remembered. A river, he says, that is supposed to be dry in this time of the year, is bigger than it usually is in the November, the rain season.Our transport was stuck in the mud too.

Rains caused electricity shortages in the city, even train station computer was destroyed by the lighting shock. Our inverter from solar battery 12 to 220 volts, 1000 Watts, was, funny enough, not short circuited by the humidity, but by (!) ants. They found it so interesting that hordes of them went in. When we noticed, it was too late.

With the first sun, all equipment was taken out to dry.

Also our clothing needed drying too. Weather prognosis confirm sunny times till the end of the month. We have to catch up with plans.

 

 

Pre-MMKamp14

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Our crew went to the location and examined its ups and downs before the MMKamp started. We reasoned that inviting people there without knowing how it works was not showing our hospitality. So we spent 4 nights in tents experiencing rain and sun.

We erected a camp and solar panels, tested sun days and electricity consumption.

Solar showers from local store for below 10 € gave us nice warm water. Many other DIY applications were invented and used and many nice people were met at different locations.

   

Driving around presented us with great views of Lika.

Area around Gračac has dreams and adventures woven into it.

 

MMKamp ’14 invitation

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Multimedia camp 2014 is an international camp with the transdisciplinary strategies focusing on the theme “Future Environments”. MMKamp’14 is two months extended/hybrid cultural event, situated in rural area of Croatia, near the city of Gračac, in region of Lika.

During July and August 2014 artist in residence, workshops, Hackatron un-conference, ad-hoc and self initiated events will take place all connected to the areas of technology, ecology, society, environment, renewable energy, digital commons and recycling.

Most dense events time is second part of August where uconference agenda will be shaped and confirmed by the attendees at the beginning of the event. Anyone who wants to initiate a discussion on a related topic can claim a time and a space. Workshops, presentations, brainstorming, impro-session, all is welcomed.

An unconference is a participant-driven meeting. The term “unconference” has been applied, or self-applied, to a wide range of gatherings that try to avoid one or more aspects of a conventional conference, such as high fees, sponsored presentations, and top-down organization. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconference)

The event is free of charge. There will be tents or commons sleeping place to rent for ones without their own tent. Food will be prepared on site with consciousness and will be sold at fair prices. Internet is provided with satellite conection, but don’t expect 24 h connection. El. energy is provided by solar panelsmwith limits to its use. Be aware that August nights in Lika are quiet cold even when summer days tend to have heat over 30 degrees.

The more careful ones might be worried of the black widows and horned vipers. Don’t worry, we wont invite them.

LOCATION

LIKA – Deringaj, nature, cca. 10 km from Gračac. Gračac is biggest city district in the Croatia, with smallest population count on square kilometre. It has beautiful and untouched nature, clean and fresh water springing all around.

Have a look at photos of the area: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gentlejunk/sets/72157644740873638/

TIME LINE

MMKamp has all-summer flexible dates between 01st July to 01st September 2014.

Some of the more defined dates:

01th – 07th July – building up the camp, artist residency.

9th – 20th July – visit to Silba island for Culture Summer of Silba.

20th – 31st July – artist resindecy

05th – 10th August – eco building workshop

05th – 26th – artist residency

19th – 24th Aug – Hackaton/Future Environments un-conferences

19th – 24th Aug – Recycled Art Dome

26th to 31st August – de-constructing of the camp

 

More info on MMkamp WIKI: http://www.gentlejunk.net/projects/doku.php?id=mmkamp_14_workpage