Off-The-Grid Music Hackathon
ALTExplore music and sound off-the-grid. Make music outdoors, without electrical outlets and internet access. Consider, how will working in a park on an island, removed from the streets and offices of the city, change your musical or sonic explorations? How will working without a table and chairs change your process? Will you create a battery powered experience? A physical hardware based musical or sound experience? Will you construct an instrument that does not rely on institutionally provided power or internet access? This hackathon encourages any medium, techniques, technologies, and procedures you can use to create music and sound experiences under these constraints.
This non-competitive hackathon will include a mix of talks, performances, workshops and presentations by participants. Free and open to all (with RSVP—this event has limited capacity). Come learn, explore, create and share!
We have an open call out for talks and workshops - please submit!
:: Date & Time
Saturday, August 5, 2023.
Rain date, August 12, 2023.
11:30am - Doors Open
12:00pm - Talks
- “Collaborating with the Woods,” by Luciform
- “Permacomputing and Making Music with Computers Outside,” by Cameron Alexander
- “Music & Sound Art Off-The-Grid,” by Katarina Hoeger
1:00pm - Brainstorming& Hacking
3:30pm - “ReVoice,” a workshop with Noah Aronson
5:00pm - Demos & Performances
:: Location
Harvestworks Back Lawn
10a Nolan Park
Governor’s Island
New York, NY 11231
Click here for a map.
:: Links
RSVP [REQUIRED, Tickets Limited]
:: Logistics
This is an outdoor event. Bring any supplies you might need for your auditory masterpieces. Bring hats, sunscreen, bug spray, picnic blankets to work on and water bottles and whatever you need to work comfortably outdoors. Snacks and refreshments will not be provided, but can be purchased from food vendors on the island.
In case of postponement due to impending rain, notifications will be sent out via email to all who RSVPed.
Ferry fares and times: Travel to Governor’s Island is free until 12PM on weekends. The last ferry to Brooklyn is at 5:30pm, the last ferry to Manhattan is 11:30pm. No participants will be stranded on Governor’s Island.
:: Governor’s Island Rules
Select rules of conduct for Governor’s Island include:
* All visitors, back packs, packages and vehicles are subject to search.
* Visitors may bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. No grilling allowed at Harvestworks site.
* Cyclists must follow all posted traffic signs, speed limits, and dismount areas. Bikes may only be locked at designated bike racks.
* All visitors must depart the Island on or before the departure of the last public ferry departing Governors Island each day.
* Pets and drones are not allowed.
* Visitors are not allowed to secure items to trees or buildings.
* Commercial activity and solicitation are not allowed.
For a full list, see https://www.govisland.com/plan-your-visit/rules.
:: About the organizers and hosts
This event is organized by Music Community Lab and hosted in back and side yards of Harvestworks and the Institute for Public Architecture at their residencies on Governor’s Island.
Music Community Lab (musiccommunitylab.org / musichackathon.org) is a not-for-profit which presents events encouraging exploratory approaches to music and sound.
Harvestworks is a not-for-profit which supports the creation and presentation of art works achieved through the use of new and evolving technologies.
The Institute for Public Architecture is a not-for-profit which uses design to challenge social and physical inequities.
Event graphics by Shagari Guity.
