#FEED: Exploring the Physical World Through Online Instruments

one small seed — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:48:10 +0000

Curated by Justin Bolognino and his dynamic online endeavours Learned Evolution and The Meta Agency, #FEED is a concept powered by Twitter that uses the digital environment to celebrate the physical world. It worked as both an event and a tool that narrated the 5-day story of the SXSW 2013 festival. As an event, #FEED organized a variety of interactive experiences to capture the spirit of SXSW: from music to social media art to wellness and night-life adventures, the innovative platform successfully used the online world to create a new view of the physical world.

The videos document #FEED’s creative approach to ‘generating synchronicity’ and ‘facilitate hidden connections’. Social media art may seem like a foreign notion that inspires skepticism, but #FEED has made social media art a community experience through physical installations that use online features. One piece saw #FEED use the SXSW Twitter hashtag to pick Instagram photos from the Twitter stream and create an inventive Instagram wall featuring hundreds of SXSW revelers and artists. Other media art allowed people to move photos with their bodies, and tweet into installations to change their narrative. Musically #FEED used apps like ‘Pulse’ – which senses people’s emotions through their pulse rate and chooses tunes to match these emotions – to show people how digital designs can affect their physical experiences. Wellness saw #FEED helping people to care for their bodies through rooftop yoga sessions, cycling and bootcamp in an effort to emphasise fun, healthy and social living.

In each of these experiences #FEED used social media to help people collaborate and build communities in the physical world. #FEED was a feature that brought SXSW to life, and if the concept successfully becomes global, it will help bridge the gap between online and physical dimensions to form new relationships and encounters.

#FEED powered by Twitter: Day 1 – “Generating Synchronicity” from #FEED powered by Twitter on Vimeo.

#FEED powered by Twitter: Day 2 – “Social Media Art” from #FEED powered by Twitter on Vimeo.

#FEED powered by Twitter: Day 3 – “Music” from #FEED powered by Twitter on Vimeo.

#FEED powered by Twitter: Day 4 – “Wellness” from #FEED powered by Twitter on Vimeo.

#FEED powered by Twitter: Day 5 – “Conclusion” from #FEED powered by Twitter on Vimeo.

Words: Ra’eesa Pather

#BOTTOMRIGHTCORNER – NOVEMBER WEEK 03

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:51:04 +0000

Hello once again! This week’s #bottomrightcorner spotlights some fresh beats of the future-experimental variety. Featuring some new instrumentals by the likes of Seth Williams and fLako, as well as some mellow tones by XXYYXX and múm, this music is so smooth and, there’s no better way to put it, SO good. Happy Friday!

fLako – Honey Drips

fLako

This track and its mysterious sounds move in and out at the most surprising of times… It reminds me of a dark and rainy day in a room that has a leaky roof and bowls littered all over the floor to catch the falling water. It’s gorgeous. If I had any more poetic and deep shit to say, I’d hook you guys up, but I don’t think words can help this one. Take a listen. Then go and check out the rest of his Eclosure 12″ Vinyl. Whatever this man touches turns to gold.

Seth Williams – Race the Sun

SETH WILLIAMS

Now, ever since the likes of Christian Tiger School brought the LA-esque beatfreakiness to our shores, we’ve started to embrace the local talents that we have right here at home. That’s where Seth Wiliams comes in. With a jazz musician for a father and his mother an opera singer, Wiliams is completely self taught, and is a songwriter, singer and musician as much as he is a producer. If someone doesn’t scoop up this man right quick, it would be a sad, sad thing; his new EP Journey to Love is versatile enough to satisfy MCs and jazz vocalists alike, providing the most gorgeous music for a blissful atmosphere. Don’t sleep.

múm – We Have A Map of the Piano

mum

This track gives me goosepimples. Balmy in all its pillowy goodness, this one reminds me of the Sigur Ros tune one listens to on trips to the forest with hipster friends. Gorgeous and gentle, this track– no album – is a winner. Famous for their glitchy music and unconventional use of instruments, Icelandic múm know how to astound.

XXYYXX – About You

xxyyxxxxyyxx

The vocals on this track are esoteric and creepy, but one can’t deny the technique and talent that goes into the tracks made by XXYYXX. Marcel Everett is his name, and he’s only 17. They just seem to keep getting younger, don’t they? The video, directed by VASH, is eerie but beautiful. If you haven’t listened to this album, do so. Very soon.

Shigeto – Field Day (Braille Remix)

shigeto

Majestic and twinkly, this track is one of the best Shigeto remixes yet. One can’t be sure how some of the sounds in these tracks are made – for example in the beginning of the track it appears as if a gun is being cocked – but they do indeed work well together. Listening to this track is like taking a journey through a world of wonderful sounds. Please do enjoy.

Lakim – Various

lakim

This beat-maker here has a serious hip hop flavour reminiscent of the trippy instros of the 90s. He’s just released his newest contribution entitled Esoteric, which is pretty darn good and a lot more experimental and electronically influenced… but let’s get you caught up with these tracks first before you give that a listen here.

Eric Lau – The Mission EP

eric lau

And last but never least, Eric Lau. This well-travelled Brit has decided to grace our shores this week and will be working in conjunction with Beatdimensionz to bring that soulful flavour to our South African ears – live in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Lucky us! For those of you who are unfamiliar with his melodies, now’s the time to get up to scratch. Take a listen and make your way down to one of these venues. You won’t regret it!

one small seed » xxyyxx | one small seed

#FEED: Exploring the Physical World Through Online Instruments

#BOTTOMRIGHTCORNER – NOVEMBER WEEK 03