JONAS MYRSTRAND
Jonas Myrstrand has been working as a director, scriptwriter, immersive producer and film curator since 1985. He teaches film production and has founded and led several educational curriculums. In 1995 he founded his own company StudioJox, which among other things creates documentaries and VR productions. These were recently combined in the VR movie Gbg Minnesvarv, where the viewer got to step into the role as a dock worker in Gothenburg during the industrial glory days of the city.

Jonas Myrstrand has previously worked with Intercult during Bridging Digital where he led workshops, and he will be the artistic leader during our new 10 day course with a focus on planning, shooting and editing. Jonas will lead the introductory workshop on VR with planning and scripting at SITE, as well as one of the final workshops where participants will get to try out editing programmes via their computer or phone and walk through how one works towards a final cut.
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SUPERFICIAL MACHINES – ADAM WITTSELL
Superficial Machines is a collective organisation investigating new methods of financing and digital forms of expression in musical experiences. Adam Wittsell is a co-founder and driving force within the collective and has worked with 3D-animation for film and TV since the mid 90s. Previously, he has headed AR/VR labs and has developed new methods for co-creating in VR with the help of digital graphics, video streams and sensors.

During two days of the VR course, Adam will lead a practical exploration of how one can use digital media and technology in ways that strengthen the creation of meaning in the content. How intentions and the human element can be enhanced rather than abstracted or hidden and how the audience and participants can gain a stronger presence into becoming co-creators.

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ONGOING REALITIES
Ongoing Realities (OR) is a stage art duo and a platform that uses choreography to explore what happens when dance intertwines with various digital technologies. This takes the form of artistic installations for stage performances as well as site-specific events. They recently exhibited the installation/performance piece O n e at the Stockholm Fringe Festival 2022, and this November they will perform What comes through at the dance fair in Dansens Hus.

OR is led by the choreographers Johan Brandholtz and Anna Näsström, who have several years of experience holding workshops, lectures and panel discussions for all those who are interested in artistic work within VR. During this programme they will give an introduction to the field of VR in the encounter with choreography and other artistic expressions based on Ongoing Realities´ perspective and work. The workshop also aims to introduce the participants to the national playing field by presenting them with a couple of finished projects by various actors and then critically discussing these. Furthermore, the workshop will provide the opportunity to try out VR experiences and to put these in an artistic context, as well as the opportunity to formulate your own idea for a VR project or a different idea for virtual creative work.
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ROBIN JONSSON
Robin Jonsson is a choreographer who has been creating and touring his art for nearly fifteen years. Performances often involve deconstructions of the ways human patterns of movement are transferred onto and represented by artificial creations. He recently performed the stage play Alone Together at Dansens Hus, where the audience was up on the stage wearing VR glasses while Robin and the robot Alex performed the play itself in a different location.

During the workshop Robin will present and discuss questions like “What causes an artist to begin working with VR, and how much time and effort is spent on reaching a certain skill level?” and “What mindset should you have when entering into digital creative work?”

JOSEPHINE RYDBERG
Josephine Rydberg is a business developer for cross media at Region Gävleborg and a PhD student at Stockholm University of the Arts.

In Rydberg’s research, she investigates forms of behavior and storytelling in immersive VR. Josephine Rydberg describes that the use of social VR platforms for meetings and interactions almost feels like “a real meeting” but with some significant displacements where she investigates: how can we adapt the way of storytelling?

SITE
SITE is part of the organisation Konstverket in Farsta, whose premises contain art studios and workshops for stage artists and visual artists. SITE is primarily a production house for the professional contemporary stage sector with a focus on dance, and offers a multitude of different premises, artistic residencies, educational development for stage artists, and other relevant cultural operations.

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RIKSTEATERN
Riksteatern is a coalition of hundreds of local theatre associations as well as many other connected organisations. Their goal is to create and showcase stage art to the general public, and professionals in the stage sector get access to studios and expertise to develop their artistry and finish their productions through their many different residencies.

With the help of a material stage environment opportunities to strengthen and prolong an artistic experience can be explored. Participants will get to use recording equipment and begin shooting.

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SENSUS STUDIEFÖBUND
Sensus is a study association that works with relationships, life issues, rights issues and sustainability issues. Together with their member organizations and partners, they create meeting places for culture and education throughout Sweden.