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Pictoplasma is an organisation dedicated to the art of character design, and are notable for bringing it into the mainstream. Since 1999, they have encouraged the international character design scene by publishing collections of characters, organising character design conferences and by maintaining the Pictoplasma Archives, an extensive inventory, collection and showcase of contemporary character design.

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The Pictoplasma Berlin Festival brings together an international scene of artists, directors, designers and agencies, offering a unique forum for all those working with – or simply loving – the visualisation and application of contemporary character design. Whether illustration, animation, graphic design, urban vinyl, street or fine art – the emphasis is not on the limits of style or format, but on the shared dedication to explore character-driven aesthetics. The lively exchange between the various disciplines highlights the importance of characters in contemporary visual culture.

Sometimes they get lucky and are invited by friendly events, festivals and organisations to contribute with special animation screenings, freshly curated exhibitions or in depth lectures on the general topic of character design and art. And that is exactly how we work and breathe together!

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(Belgrade) Piece of Shh… is one the longer standing producers in Belgrade, coming up over the last 10 years with the Belgradeyard Sound System collective. His solo material is arriving comfortably at his signature minimal-meets-dubstep sound that’s both familiar and new. He’s remixed for Sutekh and released on Earsugar and other labels, as well as sharing stages with luminaries like Digital Mystikz, Mrk1, Loefah, The Bug, Modeselektor, 2562, Deadbeat, Substance, Jahtari crew… His latest 12″ will be out in April for Svetlana Industries label. Will perform electronic live sets and DJ sets with Bob’s VJing. Also holding official Ableton Live workshops.

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D NUMBERS (Santa Fe) They weave threads of experimental rock and minimal techno into a colorful soundscape created by live instruments and an array of electronic hardware. The individuals in the band also offer other projects. Guitarist, Ben Wright performs as Mi, an original electronic act in the vein of melodic tech-house. Bassist, Brian Mayhall and drummer, Paul Feathericci work together as Ray Charles Ives exploring spaces both ambient and funky. Each member of the band steps confidently to the DJ booth as well Concerts, DJ sets and Sonic Chop Shop music workshops.

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DJ MOODSWINGER (Belgrade) DJing since 1998, as part of the Belgradeyard Sound System collective. Also takes care of the Dis-patch Festival of cutting- edge music & related art, as founder, artistic and managing director. Numerous DJ sets in Serbia and abroad since 2000. Has held several DJ residencies in Belgrade, promoted and supported a long list of international guests in local clubs – DJ Food, Coldcut, Modeselektor, Shackleton, Sofa Surfers, Phon.O, Jamie Lidell, Kit Clayton, Sutekh, Manitoba, Mapstation, Alec Empire, Add Noise, K.O.F.Y, Herbaliser, Matthew Herbert, Four Tet, Apparat and many more. Eclectic bassy DJ sets with Bob’s VJing and tour managing.

WoO is a Guitar & synth player from Belgrade. Interested in sounds transmitted from various devices people use everyday (mobile phones, remote controls, radio…), and with them he creates shimmering, highly detailed, frequency rich ambient music with organic/analogue feel. Two official solo albums: Mobi Rock (rx: tx, 2007) Come Blue (a.star recordings, 2008), as well as many other compilations, free web releases and live recordings. On an live show often collaborates with visual artist Incredible Bob, and has played throughout Europe, including many improv meetings with other musicians. A blissful journey in spacey sound… A/v concerts with Bob, improv meetings with local musicians.

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WoO + Izvanredni Bob, Come Blue from mfru on Vimeo.

Founded in 2002 as continuation of the activities of the Belgradeyard Sound System collective, an independent organization dedicated to the promotion of new music tendencies, related art practices and the advancement of the local music and art scene through creating links between Serbian artists and audiences and established artists from around the world.

Stress is put on music, educational, art and design projects such as workshops, seminars, lectures, panels, screenings… walking the thin line between sound and image. In this context, Dis-patch School for new media manipulation was initiated in 2004, with a free admission workshop program focusing on video production and history of “synasthetic art”. Although electronic music is, generally speaking, very present on the Serbian cultural scene, most of the events are restricted to a more entertainment oriented approach.

The conception of the Dis-patch festival is to fill the blanks made by this practice, present emerging artists and technologies and foster audience participation and involvement of the local contemporary arts/music/new media scene. The festival explores the secret potentials of its surrounding by occupying several different venues over the course of one event, providing a strong community aspect and involvement of different cultural actors and insititutions on the Serbian scene.

In recent editions, more and more focus is put on variety of comissioned work and special performances, artist in residence and focus programs, installations, screenings and (live) cinema, workshops, and finally, children’s program which will involve 5-12 year olds from Belgrade in workshops, instrument building courses and concerts. We also put up panels, lectures and artists’ presentations and educational programs from the fields of copyright / music industry, live performing, live video, maxMSP / jitter, hardware etc.

The festival attracts a number of visitors from the surrounding countries each year. We will continue to explore the relationships and gaps between creativity and technology, and use the event as a creative force, providing a setting for new experiences and epiphanies to occur.

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Kevin Blechdom Post-Piano “Gala” (1/3): You Changed My Life + Songy Dong from Dis-patch Festival on Vimeo.

Based out of Boulder, Colorado, Communikey is a not profit collective of musicians, multimedia artists and event producers who collaborate to create forward thinking electronic arts environments, showcasing international and local talents. Over the past 15 years, Communikey events have provided a creative forum for the Boulder arts community to explore advanced electronic music and digital arts in an intimate setting, while gaining exposure to the global organism that is new electronic music.

In addition to modular events, Communikey also produces an annual festival of the same name. Only in its third year, CMKY Festival has gained international attention for its progressive showcase of diverse talent and audience interactivity.The Communikey Festival of Electronic Arts is a three-day event coinciding with Earth Day weekend, fostering the exposure of global digital media to both local communities and traveling enthusiasts. Seven music performances held at a variety of Boulder venues showcase digital creativity in the form of visual art and music by diverse artists from around the globe. Coupling arts, software workshops, panel discussions, and audio-visual installations, the festival presents an enriched cross section of artists who define the emerging horizon of digital media arts.

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.. A smirk occurs at the moment just before one side of the mouth catches up with the other. Generally, a smirk is just looking for a good time.

and that’s all you get for now…

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The traveling exhibition of prints will feature work on display from the
Dis-patch Festival resident designer and art director Nebojsa Cvetkovic.
Nebojsa is one of the most respected young designers in Serbia and the
region. He has been awarded several times locally and internationally,
very often for the work he has done for Dis-patch.

Although he has held several art director and senior designer positions at
several marketing agencies, Nebojsa is still dedicated to freehand
drawing, comics and character design, and has proven to be a real
trendsetter when it comes to illustration and design in Serbia. He has
been developing the noted Dis-patch visual identities since the first
edition.

GRAPHISMS is a project he has started two years ago, and has been
exhibited several times in Serbia. Now, through the ViceVerse network, it
will reach out to far audiences all around the USA. Exposure that he
definitely deserves! Since April, Nebojsa is also a part of the special
creative team at the Bruketa&Zinic agency in Zagreb, the most respcted
innovative design agency in the region of SouthEast Europe.

The exhibit is presented as a series of 10 hi-quality prints which will be
setup in proper gallery context wherever possible. Nebojsa has also
contributed all of the illustrations for the ViceVerse tour identity. Do
check his other exciting work as well, just follow the links!

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Making music through improvisation and fun is the main aim of this workshop. The idea is to provide insight into the possibilities for creating music with simple and inexpensive electronic instruments and devices, using portable mini synthesizers and effect units, combining them with analogue sounds and processed percussion instruments or toy drums, for example. We would like to give children initial insights into the possibilities for making music with simple and low-cost instruments. The workshop answers these and similar questions through playfully attempts using simple, mechanical or battery operated and, therefore, portable consumer devices. At the end of the workshop different  musical formations will be combined and children, will present what they have practiced and learned through a concert and group improvisation .

Contact our local host organization to pick up the entry form, details and schedule!