Fashionable Technology Research Consortium

FASHIONABLE TECHNOLOGY REPORT June 2009

TV DOCUMENTARY ::: ORF NEWTON (in German)
Sabine Seymour was interviewed for ORF Newton on June 6, 2009. The headline: "WLAN-Hüte und Zeitungs-T-Shirts: Wie wir uns in Zukunft kleiden". Während den großen Modeschöpfern offenbar seit Jahrzehnten nicht mehr einfällt als die Geschichte in regelmäßigen Abständen zu wiederholen, arbeiten Designer an der Schnittstelle zwischen Modeindustrie und Wissenschaft an gänzlich neuen Modekonzepten. Pullis, die bei Bedarf das Handy laden, gehören da fast schon wieder zu alten Hüten. Diese werden in Zukunft übrigens anzeigen, wo WLAN-Spots zu finden sind, auf denen wir unsere T-Shirts mit den neuesten Zeitungsinfos updaten können.
http://tv.orf.at/program/orf1/20090606/462576701/264862/

EXIBITION ::: OPEN SOURCE EMBROIDERY
June 6 - September 6, 2009
Bildmuseet, Umea University, Sweden
The Open Source Embroidery exhibition presents artworks that use embroidery and code as a tool for participatory production and distribution. The Open Source Embroidery project includes workshops and exhibitions which investigate how the open source software development model has been incorporated into the language of cultural participation. This major exhibition at BildMuseet brings together individual and collectively made artworks by artists, makers, computer programmers and html users that explore the relationship between craft and code through social and digital networks. The works experiment with interdisciplinary approaches to modifying patterns, the DIY culture of hacking and sampling in sound, GPS and mobile technologies.
http://www.open-source-embroidery.org.uk

CONFERENCE ::: NANOMATERIALS 2009
June 16 - 18, 2009
Bonn, Germany
NanoMaterials09 will focus on the commercialisation of nanomaterials, rather than theoretical benefits; practical solutions for practical challenges.
Two plenary's and five parallel sessions focus on:
   * Printed Electronics
   * Nanocomposites
   * Nanobiotech & Consumer Products
   * Coatings, Inks & Pigments
   * Clean Technology
http://www.nanomaterials09.com

WORKSHOP ::: MAKE ELECTRO - CLOTHING
June 13, 16, 17, 2009
Mediamatic BANK
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Make your shirt beep when people touch you, or yell back at you when you scream. Make your pants light up in the dark or your sleeves blink when you wave your arms. Make self-heating touch screen-friendly gloves or a hat that vibrates when someone is coming up behind you. We provide electronics-kits with the necessities to create your electro-clothing. Bring your own garment(s)! Not just for experienced technicians, everyone can participate. MIT Media Lab researcher Nadya Peek guides the workshops.
http://www.mediamatic.net/page/83908/en

CONFERENCE ::: MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT MARKET 2009
June 23 - 24, 2009
London, UK
The Mobile Entertainment Forum is the global trade association of the mobile media industry, working on behalf of its diverse membership to drive mobile entertainment adoption, shape regulation and deliver competitive advantage to its members. MEF anticipates, defines and addresses issues and opportunities for the industry that monetises mobile media, by identifying sustainable business solutions, promoting best practice and influencing policy to accelerate the business. With global headquarters in London, a Hollywood-based Americas secretariat, an Asia chapter and a newly expanded EMEA branch, MEF’s network of members represents a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of mobile entertainment businesses and entrepreneurs.
http://www.mem09.com/

CONFERENCE ::: 3rd EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON AMBIENT INTELLIGENCE
AmI-09: ROOTS FOR THE FUTURE OF AMBIENT INTELLIGENCE
SUBMISSION DUE: June 8 and June 22, 2009
November 18 - 21, 2009
Salzburg, Austria
Ambient Intelligence represents a vision of the future where we shall be surrounded by technological means, sensitive and responsive to people and their behaviors, deliver advanced functions, services and experiences. Ambient intelligence is expected to combine concepts of ubiquitous technology, intelligent systems and advanced user interfaces putting the humans in the centre of technological developments. Future contextual solutions are envisaged exploiting the power of Ambient Intelligence. The conference aims to bring together researchers from academia and industry from various disciplines that constitute the field of Ambient Intelligence to present the latest results, discuss the state of art and think about the future. AmI-09 will bring keynotes, technical papers, workshops, industrial case studies, posters & demos, panels and landscapes. In addition to these categories we will feature ambient visions to look into the next decade of Ambient Intelligence.
http://www.ami-09.org

FASHIONABLE TECHNOLOGY REPORT February 2009

BOOK ::: FASHIONABLE TECHNOLOGY
Fashionable Technology, The Intersection of Design, Fashion, Science and Technology is now available as PAPERBACK! The interplay of electronic textiles and wearable technology, wearables for short, and fashion, design and science is a highly promising and topical subject. Offered here is a compact survey of the theory involved and an explanation of the role technology plays in a fabric or article of clothing. The practical application is explained in detail and numerous illustrations serve as clarification. Over 50 well-known designers, research institutes, companies and artists, among them Philips, Burton, MIT Media Lab, XS Labs, New York University, Hussein Chalayan, Cute Circuit or International Fashion Machines are introduced by means of their latest, often still unpublished, project, and a survey of their work to date. Given for the first time is a list of all the relevant information on research institutes, materials, publications etc. A must for all those wishing to know everything about fashionable technology.
www.fashionabletechnology.org

LECTURE ::: INNOVATION EMBEDDED IN THE FABRIC
February 19, 2009
Plug.in, Basel, Switzerland
After the lecture by Moritz Waldemeyer (mechatronic engineer based in London who collaborated with Hussein Chalayan) the series continues with a lecture by Martin Leuthold, Art Director at Jakob Schlaepfer. Many international top designers buy luxurious cloth for their evening gowns in St. Gallen at Jakob Schlaepfers. Leuthold will bring a selection of these fabrics and will talk about the entangelment of craft and technology, and specifically about the appearing and vanishing of electronic technologies in his collections.
http://www.iplugin.org/en

CONFERENCE ::: SMART FABRICS 2009
March 10 - 12, 2009
Rome, Italy
Analysing technology  and design innovations and examine business trends of the smart fabrics industry. The competitive advantage of the future will be the development of technologically advanced products offering consumers extensive functionality. Smart fabrics are holding a significant position in this area with estimated compound annual growth rate of 32% for the period of upcoming two years. In order to expand your knowledge and learn about the opportunities ahead, IntertechPira will bring you the 5th annual Smart Fabrics conference. This well-established two day event will expand its focus in this year and analyse business, design and science aspects of the smart textiles field. Leading experts of the industry will deliver fundamental presentations appealing to all players throughout the supply chain.
http://www.smartfabricsconference.com/

KONFERENZ ::: INTELLIGENTE VERBINDUNGEN (in German)
March 12 - 14, 2009
Krefeld-Linn, Germany
Das netzwerk-mode-textil e.V. organisiert in Kooperation mit der Hochschule Niederrhein, Fachbereiche für Textil- und Bekleidungstechnik eine interdisziplinäre Konferenz, die die Interdependenzen zwischen neuen Technologien und der Gestaltung von Textilien und Mode in Vergangenheit und Gegenwart untersuchen will.
http://netzwerk-mode-textil.de/

EXHIBITION ::: HUSSEIN CHALAYAN
January 22 - May 17, 2009
Design Museum, London, UK
Leading the forefront of contemporary fashion design, the twice named 'British Designer of the Year,' Hussein Chalayan, is renowned for his innovative use of materials, meticulous pattern cutting and progressive attitudes to new technology. This exhibition is the first comprehensive presentation of Hussein Chalayan’s work in the UK. Spanning fifteen years of experimental projects, the exhibition explores Hussein Chalayan's creative approach, his inspirations and the many themes which influence his work such as cultural identity, displacement and migration. Exhibits include ‘Afterwords’ which explores the notion of ‘wearable, portable architecture’ in which furniture literally transforms itself into garments; ‘Airborne’ - bringing the latest LED technology to fashion design with a spectacular dress consisting of Swarovski crystals and over 15,000 flickering LED lights; ‘Before Minus Now’ a dress made of materials used in aircraft construction which changes shape by remote control and ‘Readings’ a dress comprising of over 200 moving lasers presenting an extraordinary spectacle of light.
http://www.designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2009/hussein-chalayan

SYMPOSIUM ::: SUPER HUMAN REVOLUTION
DEADLINE for Call for Abstracts: March 30, 2009
Super Human Revolution of the Species is an international event comprising a symposium, exhibition, masterclass and public talk investigating collaborative art and science practices and their relationship with the human body. Symposium abstracts are invited from either individual or team-based researchers, artists and scientists. Submitted abstracts will undergo a double-blind referee process, with successful applicants invited to submit their paper prior to final acceptance. Taking place in Melbourne on 22 - 25 November 2009, the Super Human symposium will present an invigorating and inspiring mix of keynote speakers and collaborative research projects engaging with one or more of the symposium themes: Augmentation, Cognition and Nanoscale Interventions.
http://superhuman.org.au/

CONFERENCE ::: IFAI Advanced Textiles 2009
April 2 - 3, 2009
Hotel BLOOM, Brussels, Belgium
AT '09 will provide decision makers in the complex value chain of technical textiles with valuable business intelligence and face-to-face connections.  This event is a unique opportunity to meet on a professional platform, gaining useful insights from user-oriented management levels, the latest studies of new technology, challenges and applications.
AT '09 is your platform because it's specifically geared to company representatives whose core business is technical textiles.You'll see the examples of interesting applications in a variety of growth areas in technical textiles —
    * Smart textiles – challenges + bottlenecks + panel discussion
    * Medical applications of technical textiles
    * Textile membranes and architecture
    * Transportation, logistics, automotive
    * Technology solutions and textile surfaces
http://www.ifai.com/Home/AdvancedTextiles09.cfm

WORKSHOP ::: LUNAR OUTPOST
The theme for this year’s workshop is: Lunar Outpost – a response to initiatives to create a fully occupied operational base on the moon by 2024. As artists how do we respond to extreme environments that are so unlike our home environment? At the Lunar Outpost people will experience micro gravity, a different atmospheric propagation of sound, an essentially black and white external environment, and a profound sense of loneliness. In this workshop participants will explore emergent electronic technologies for performance and installation framed by the theme Lunar Outpost. Interactive technologies offer the means to extend, manipulate and color our environments in a new manner. We will look at how interactive systems for physical performance and environmental installation could supplement and augment conditions experienced in extreme environments like the moon. Students will work with Arduino microcontrollers and blue-tooth technologies to create networked sensor systems for the control of lights, video projection and sound. Projects will emerge from group discussions and experimentation and can include interactive costumes, props and sets or
responsive environments.  Students will learn methods for creating soft, sew-able electronics as well as more traditional circuit building.
The workshop fee is $1100 plus housing. On campus housing is available through Arizona State University at Tempe campus. All workshop participants will receive, a Bluetooth enabled Arduino controller board and sensors suitable for use in wearable settings as part of the workshop fee.
http://wearableart-interactiveperformance.com/

FASHIONABLE TECHNOLOGY REPORT December 2008

EXHIBITION ::: YING GAO, FIVE WAYS TO TELL A STORY ABOUT FASHION
January 17 - March 1, 2009
plug.in
Basel, Switzerland
Canadian fashion designer Ying Gao, born in China (*1973), playfully explores the aesthetic potential at the interface of fashion, art and technology. She uses software to conceptually develop ingenious patterns, and subtly infuses interactive technology into some of her garments. These garments appear vivid, ephemeral and fluid in shape: one of the dresses vibrantly unfolds when triggered by a ray of light. Another one breathes gently as it is touched by a gust of air. All the while Ying Gao's garments tell stories about themselves, and about fashion.
Five collections by Ying Gao that tell a story about fashion in five original ways are presented at [plug.in], in her first solo exhibition outside of Canada.
Curated by Céline Studer, in collaboration with Doris Gassert.
With thanks to Sabine Seymour.
http://www.iplugin.org

CALL FOR ENTRIES ::: FIX OUR ENERGY ADDICTION
DEADLINE: January 30, 2009
Rising energy costs present new design problems. Redesign the broken models of the 20th century. Challenge our patterns of living and working in a fuel-hungry world…come up with solutions that connect us, make us more efficient, more humane.
Ask yourself…
How would I bring work closer to home?
Can a product help eliminate long commutes?
What can I do to revitalize old ideas such as living above the store?
What kind of interiors or furnishings does a telecommuter really need?
Or follow your own dreams…what calls out for a major redesign?
Focus on one area that needs fixing—products, interiors, buildings and landscape, communication systems, or anything else you can imagine—and develop your idea fully. Open to all designers in practice 10 years or less.
http://www.metropolismag.com/nextgen/

BOOK LAUNCH ::: TECHNONATUREN (in German)
Samstag 24.01.2009, 14:00 Uhr
Akademie der Bildenden Kuenste, IKL, Karl Schweighofer Gasse 3, 1070 Wien, Raum 1.06
TechnoNaturen gibt einen Einblick in die neuen biopolitische Dimension organischen Designs im 21. Jahrhundert, das die Funktionen des "Lebens"
als Technologie erfasst. Der Band setzt sich in gestalterischen sowie design- und kulturtheoretischen Beiträgen mit den subjektiven Aneignungen dieser Technologien und deren alltagskulturellen Umdeutungen in neuen Styles auseinander. Einführung von Elke Gaugele - empirische Kulturwissenschaftlerin, Autorin und Professorin für Moden und Styles (Textiles Gestalten) am Institut für das künstlerische Lehramt und Prof. Petra Eisele - Professorin für Designgeschichte, Designtheorie und Medientheorie an der Fachhochschule Mainz. Anschließend Screening des Video-Films "Science Fashion Meets Science Fiction" (2009) von Sabine Seymour mit einer Diskussion über "Next-Generation-Wearables".
http://www.akbild.ac.at/

CALL FOR SUBMISSION ::: WORLD CONGRESS ON COMMUNICATION AND ARTS
DEADLINE: January 30, 2009
April19 - 22, 2009
São Caetano, Brazil
This congress will provide a major international forum for the exchange of information on research and recent developments on the improvement of Communication and Arts.The discussions will be about the integration between World Market and Communication and Arts in Contemporary Society. It constitutes in a breeding ground to examine careers and opportunities for professionals in the new scenario of modern life which has become of crucial importance once we live in the so called Information Society where technology communication has changed the way people live, work and relate.
http://www.copec.org.br/wcca2009

CALL FOR PAPERS ::: 4TH GLOBAL CONFERENCE, VISIONS OF HUMANITY IN CYBERCULTURE, CYBERSPACE AND SCIENCE FICTION
DEADLINE: February 8, 2009
July 6 - 8, 2009
Mansfield College, Oxford
This inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary project aims to explore what it is to be human and the nature of human community in cyberculture, cyberspace and science fiction. In particular, the project will explore the possibilities offered by these contexts for creative thinking about persons and the challenges posed to the nature and future  of national, international, and global communities. Papers, short papers, and workshops are invited on issues related to for example:
* the relationship between cyberculture, cyberspace, science fiction
* bodies in cyberculture; from apes to androids - electronic evolution; biotechnical advances and the impact of life, death, and social existence; the impact on individuality
* technology vs. the natural? cyberculture and the green movement
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/ati/Visions/vhccsf.htm
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/ati/Visions/v4/cfp.html

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS ::: SUPER HUMAN SYMPOSIUM
DEADLINE: March 20, 2009
Super Human Revolution of the Species is an international event comprising a symposium, exhibition, masterclass and public talk investigating collaborative art and science practices and their relationship with the human body. Symposium abstracts are invited from either individual or team-based researchers, artists and scientists. Submitted abstracts will undergo a double-blind referee process, with successful applicants invited to submit their paper prior to final acceptance. Taking place in Melbourne on 22 - 25 November 2009, the Super Human symposium will present an invigorating and inspiring mix of keynote speakers and collaborative research projects engaging with one or more of the symposium themes: Augmentation, Cognition and Nanoscale Interventions.
Please submit all abstracts (and any questions) to the Conference Convenor: as@anat.org.au.
http://www.superhuman.org.au

CONFERENCE ::: IIR TELECOMS
March 23 - 25, 2009
Vienna, Austria
With the proliferation of flat-rate data tariffs and an explosion of mobile internet centric devices - users can now take advantage of high end devices and clear pricing alongside mobile broadband network speeds and coverage to browse the mobile internet in search of new and innovative content
Mobile Internet 2009 takes place in Vienna on 23rd - 25th March 2009.
•    Learn the latest strategies and business models for driving flat-rate data plans which provide a large boost in APRU
•    Attend key focus session on mobile platforms, open source, fragmentation and standardisation
•    Learn how to optimise usability and therefore drive revenues from mobile search, advertising and content
http://www.iir-events.com/IIR-Conf/page.aspx?id=16059

Bulletproof Fashion

I was just recently invited to Bogota and I remembered the Bullet-resistant blouson prototype that was shown at Safe: Design takes on risk exhibition at MOMA in 2005-06. Get the exhibition catalog Safe: Design Takes On Risk.

To learn all about the commercially available bulletproof fashion Refinery29's Gabriel Bell took a closer look.

Via Refinery29 & Cool Hunting

Second Skin: Imaginative Designs in Digital & Analog Clothing

Second Skin: Imaginative Designs in Digital & Analog Clothing
Exploratorium
San Francisco, USA
April 29 - September 7, 2008 

The Exploratorium projects the human imagination into the 21st century of fashion. San Francisco's popular, museum of science, art, technology and human perception hosts a quirky evening event where science/technology and art/fashion converge at a runway fashion show on Friday, April 25, from 7–11pm. The artists' stellar works, to be highlighted around the spaces of the museum, will be up for five months, as will "the clothesline project," which will show off the creative works of visitors, from April 29-September 7, 2008. Artworks include Hannah Perner-Wilson and Mika Satomi's Massage me, an interactive, wearable computer that allows users to play a video game and massage a friend at the same time, developed in Linz, Austria; and Takehito Etani's Masticator, headgear that gives audio-visual feedback of chewing during meals.  Scott Tallenger's Tribute to Norma Desmond dress features still and moving images from the film Sunset Boulevard. Matthew Gale's clothing allows the wearer to "rest" anywhere with its built-in, portable neck rest. In addition, local artist Sha Sha Higby will perform within her exquisite and ephemeral body sculpture of layered wood, silk, paper, urushi, ceramic, and gold leaf. Refreshments available for purchase.

Solar Powered Swimwear

The futurezone.ORF reports (in German): "Der Unterwäscheproduzent Triumph hat in Valencia einen Solarzellen-Einteiler präsentiert, mit dem Sonnenhungrige unterwegs ihr Mobiltelefon und den Musikplayer aufladen können. Die Geräte werden direkt an den Badeanzug angesteckt." And then there is Spiegel's rather critical report.

But haven't we seen that already? Andrew Schneider's solar powered bikini was shown at last year's ITP Show. Is that just a co-incident.

Smart Cards with Built-In Fingerprint Scanners

An Austrian startup plans to market cheap scanners that use printed organic light emitters, detectors, and electronics.

By Kevin Bullis in Technology Review

Paper-thin fingerprint scanners could soon make cell phones, USB memory, and credit cards more secure. The new scanners, developed by Nanoident Technologies, a startup based in Linz, Austria, detect patterns and blood content in the tissue within the finger. This makes them much harder to fool than ordinary fingerprint readers, which measure only the ridges and contours of fingerprints.

Via MIT Technology Review

Robots: Arts and Crafts for the Digital Age

Photo: Robert Spencer

Robots: Arts and Crafts for the Digital Age
By MICHEL MARRIOTT
Published: June 8, 2006 in New York

Times Who wants to weave potholders when you can build a robot, invent interactive jewelry or make musical sculptures instead?

To read the entire article: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/08/technology/08cricket.html?8cir&emc=cir

Body Sensor Networks 2006

BSN 2006
International Workshop on Wearable and Implantable Body Sensor Networks: April 3-5 at MIT

The last decade has witnessed a rapid surge of interest in new sensing and monitoring devices for healthcare and the use of wearable/wireless devices and sensor networks for clinical applications. One key development in this area is implantable, in vivo monitoring and intervention devices. While the problems of long-term stability and biocompatibility are being addressed, several promising prototypes are starting to emerge for managing patients with acute diabetes, for treatment of epilepsy and other debilitating neurological disorders, and for the monitoring of patients with chronic cardiac diseases.

Roll-Off Pixels

PixelRoller is a paint roller that paints pixels, designed as a rapid response printing tool specifically to print digital information such as imagery or text onto a great range of surfaces. The content is applied in continuous strokes by the user. PixelRoller can be seen as a handheld “printer”, based around the ergonomics of a paintroller, that lets you create the images by your own hand.

Via Core77