Join us for an exciting series of workshops that unlock the power of multimedia storytelling through augmented reality (AR), photography, film, and creative writing. 

Memory Jam brings together students and young creative professionals from the UK and Kosovo to develop work exploring identity, memory, and virtual space. Memory Jam explores memory by “imbuing” physical objects with an extended “virtual” memory such as text, audio, and video.

You will work toward a digital artwork, a future online and in-person exhibition where you can showcase your work alongside established artists, and publish your work in a printed zine-like publication that features Augmented Reality (AR).

This is an excellent opportunity to develop creative and technical skills, and network internationally. 

Time and Place:

This program will feature meetings that are a hybrid of online and in-real-life (IRL). 

Participants will meet IRL in Prishtina, Kosovo or Manchester, UK during each workshop.

An online teleconference link will be established where two groups will communicate virtually. 

IRL meeting location in Manchester: TBD at School of Digital Arts, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK

IRL meeting location in Prishtina: Rezidenca 17, Prishtina, Kosovo.

Time:

5:00pm Manchester time / 6:00pm Kosovo time

Tentative Dates:

Tuesday, 18-Feb-2025 Workshop 1

Thursday, 20-Feb-2025 Workshop 2

Tuesday, 4-Mar-2025 Workshop 3 & Launch Event

Format & what to expect:

Participants will take part in three workshops covering augmented reality, film photography, sound, and creative writing and will be expected to devise their own creative responses.

Each session begins with an interactive workshop and discussion, followed by project development time, feedback, and technical support.

Every week, guest artists provide helpful prompts and guidance, enabling you to create digital and physical artworks that bring your personal stories to life. You will work toward an online and in-person exhibition where you can showcase your work alongside established artists, and publish your work in a printed zine-like publication that features AR. This is an excellent opportunity, to develop creative and technical skills, and network internationally.

The workshops are led in collaboration with StoryLab’s Artrit Bytyçi (writer and lecturer, RKS), School of Digital Arts’ Antony Hall (artist and lecturer, UK) and Audrey Albert (MMU/SODA), and artist Mishka Henner (UK). 

The first stage will involve workshops between students and young creative professionals from Kosovo and the UK, who will create artworks tied to physical objects, infusing them with “extended virtual memories” such as text, audio, and video.

The project will culminate in an online launch event and IRL in Manchester and Prishtina on March 4, 2025, as part of Go Global Week at MMC.

Application:

This program is free for the participants.

Deadline: 7 February 2025

Click here to fill in the Application

If you have any questions please write to us at info@storylab.al or KosovoStoryLab@gmail.com

* If you are a student from Manchester Metropolitan University you may take this workshop towards RISE credits.

Special Thanks:
Memory Jam is a project by StoryLab in collaboration with the Future Media Production program by the School of Digital Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University, with support from the British Council.

Details:

Workshop 1:

Participants will explore 3D scanning techniques while meeting the group and developing initial ideas inspired by invited artists. Creative discussions will help spark innovative concepts to build upon.

Workshop 2:

This workshop will focus on narrative development and the use of Adobe Aero. Participants will collaborate on storytelling and experiment with augmented reality to enhance their narratives, merging digital and physical elements.

The final exhibition will feature participants’ completed projects, showcasing their creative journeys. Attendees can experience the blend of 3D scanning, storytelling, and augmented reality in an inspiring celebration of artistic achievement. 

Workshop 3

The participants will showcase their digital artworks, the draft layout of the printed/AR zine, and the prototype of the online exhibition.

Benefits for the participants/students:

• Networking opportunities with UK and Kosovo creatives
• Develop skills in digital art and augmented reality (platforms like Adobe Aero)
• Gain experience in collaborative international projects
• Explore innovative approaches to digital storytelling
• Have your work published in a printed zine-like publication that features augmented reality
• Opportunity to showcase work on an international platform and contribute to a public online digital art exhibition

Bios:

Artrit Bytyçi (writer and lecturer, StoryLab/RKS)

Artrit Bytyçi has an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School in New York City. His background in biological sciences influences how he approaches art. He is the founder of StoryLab, an interdisciplinary initiative for art, writing, design, technology, and education.

Audrey Albert (artist, SODA/UK), 

Audrey Albert is a Mauritian artist with Chagossian heritage, whose work reflects the cultural heritage and identities of Chagos Islanders. Her work has been exhibited internationally, and in 2021 she was appointed to a Creative Fellowship at Manchester International Festival.

Antony Hall (artist and lecturer, SODA/UK) 

Antony Hall is an artist, educator, and researcher working at the intersection of science, art and technology. His interdisciplinary multimedia practice spans AR, digital drawing, photography, bio-art, and sound art, as well as installations and immersive multisensory experiences. He has performed and exhibited internationally.  

Mishka Henner (artist, UK)

Mishka Henner is a Belgian based in Manchester, England. His work has been featured in several surveys of contemporary artists working with photography in the Internet age. He has been described by some as a modern-day Duchamp. for his appropriation of image-rich technologies including Google Earth, Google Street View, and YouTube, and for his adoption of print-on-demand as a means to bypass traditional publishing models.