With Caro Verbeek, the Odorama program has been expanded with subjects related to smell: for instance, smell in relation to memory, the influence of smell on sexuality, or the effect of smell on food. These were 2017's Odorama editions: Scent as Storyteller, The Aroma Lab, Scent and Wellbeing, Smell/Memory/Dementia, Animal Smell, Perfumed Words, Scent & Scentsuality, The Good Taste. In addition to the Odorama program, in 2017 we started the Aroma Lab, for designers who want to experiment with smell. Klara Ravat, artist in residence at Mediamatic with the AFK Three Package Deal, was the first to use the lab. With her, workshops were organised such as 'The Scent of Amsterdam', during which participants create their own smell. Artist Caroline Jacob used the Aroba Lab for her project wASH, for which she used Mediamatic's waste flows to create a detergent.
A new edition of art installation Fashion Machine, a concept created by artist and fashion designer Conny Groenewegen. The fleece sweater, one of the most characteristic cast-offs of the modern clothing industry, plays the starring role in this project, in spite of itself. Over a period of three months, an unimaginable number of fleece sweaters were systematically cut into ribbons, which were then turned into huge spools of fleece thread. From these, an artwork was created all around Mediamatic. Visitors were invited to knit along in the workshops and, in doing so, learn about manual knitting, clothing recycling and the influence of disposable fashion. In addition, a special FAMA (Fashion Machine) T-shirt was designed.
For the first time, the Uitmarkt took place on the Navy yard next to Mediamatic. This kicked off the Expeditie Oosterdok collaboration, during which the surrounding organisations joined forces to promote the Oosterdok area by means of a route passing by, amongst others, the Openbare Bibliotheek (public library), Nemo, Het Scheepvaartmuseum (the Maritime Museum), Arcam and Mediamatic. During the Uitmarkt, Mediamatic opened the (bio)cultural season with a Fashion Machine-themed fashion show, a raised middle finger to fast fashion. The Artsy Onesie Tango Rave was a fashion performance where the best and strangest creations were enthusiastically celebrated. Also, the Cleanlab was open to those interested, and 'Plant Life' tours were given by Diana Scherer and Jasmin Moeller.
In 2017, the Neo-Futurist Dinners started up. At these gastronomic performances, food, art, and science come together, in a multi-sensory experience, inspired by the original Futurist cookbook. This first edition, hosted by Me and Chef Watson, featured a 7 course meal designed by artificial intelligence. Assisted by the Symbiotic Autonomous Machine, a robot bar. Martin Butler and Alexander Gershberg's Chromatic Dinner centered on the 5 elements, and synesthesia.
S.A.M. stands for "Symbiotic Autonomous Machine" and is one of the highlights of our Neo-Futurist Dinner: Me and Chef Watson! S.A.M., the robotic bartender is the graduation project of Marie Caye (Design Academy Eindhoven) and co-creator Arvid Jense and it surprises you with fermented cocktails. By: Crys Leung
Fermentation, mycelium and food design come together in Tempeh Ware, edible tableware. In the Cleanlab, tempeh's properties were resarched with the cradle-to-belly concept, which created a waste-less product: Tempeh Ware. This dish was made from Tempeh and is completely edible. Assited by experienced tempeh grower Sasker Scheerder, the Cleanlab team has started optimal production so Tempeh Ware can be used in Mediamatic ETEN.
With Spectrum Crops, artist Diana Scherer researched the impact of colored light on plants. What happens to plants when they only receive red, green, or blue light? During the summer, Diana carried out the experiment with five different-colored greenhouses. Photographs were taken of the results, which clearly show how the various crops developed under the various lights.
The 2017 cabbage harvest was good. So good, that it created a surplus. In the winter, Mediamatic took in 10,000 kilos of abandoned cabbage. During the winter program, surrounded by mountains of cabbages, Mediamatic looked for the value of cabbage, with performances by Anastasia Loginova, workshops on how to make your own sauerkraut by digging a hole, or making white cabbage kimchi. With artist Arne Hendriks we dove further into the white cabbage surplus: how do we deal with abundance?
