For the last couple of years, and especially since we moved into our new space at Bitwäscherei Hackerspace Collective in 2020, we have developed a truly global Residency Programme for hackers, artists, activists from all paths of life. As we share the premises of the MechArtLab together with other great initiatives such as the Hackteria, who runs the Hackteria ZET – Open Science Lab, a local public biolab in Zürich as part of their global network activities.
Who is organizing it ? YOU!! But we will help wherever we can!
The Hacker-in-Residence Programme is organized and funded on individual basis, always searching for synergies with other local organisations and events, and is primarily co-ordinated by dusjagr aka Marc Dusseiller, CEO of the Center for Alternative Coconut Research, in his role as as co-founder and board member of both the Swiss Mechatronic Art Society (SGMK) and Global Ambassador of the Hackteria Network in collaboration with Maya Minder, fermentista, artist and currently president of SGMK.
Contact dusjagr to find out more on how to co-organize your residency with us
What we can offer
We can offer an inspiring work environment at the interface of art, science and technology and have dedicated workshops for basic woodworking, electronics and hardware prototyping, PCB design and etching, general IT and hacking capacities, hardware & recycling materials, various sound systems, synthesizers & eurorack modulars and much more.
The biolab also offers access to quality microscopes, basic microbiology equipment, biomaterials archive, heaters, incubators, stirrers, illuminators and a large collection of chemicals waiting for your experiments.
The community around all the different practioners of Bitwäscherei is very welcoming and helpful bringing together a vast background of experiences to draw from. And beyond our own space, the entirety of our building, ZWZ, Zentralwäscherei Zürich, is a contemporary hot-spot of underground art & culture, independant artist studios, performance venues and more accessible workshops, with a strong emphases on diversity and access.
Documentation and more info
The current and past residencies are documented on this wiki page.
Testimonials
“I’m super grateful to have had all the time as a hacker in residence at the Bitwäscherei. I am always meeting new amazing and inspiring people, am constantly learning cool things, and new projects and collaborations seem to blossom exponentially. I try to take the spirit of the lab with me on all my travels and to the other global communities I am involved in. Can’t wait to return!”
– Miranda Moss (Sweden / South Africa)
Listen to the podcast “Art meets Technology” by Pro Helvetia to hear more about Miranda’s experience
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the Hacker-in-Residence program at the Swiss Mechatronic Art Society. The atmosphere of curiosity and artistic research was both inspiring and endlessly encouraging. During my residency, I led a workshop called, “Biodegradable Sound: Gelatin Records.” This hands-on workshop aimed to explore the intersection of recorded sound and biodegradability by introducing a method for creating functional and fully biodegradable phonograph records made from gelatin. The Swiss Mechatronic Art Society and its diverse group of members not only helped facilitate this workshop, they supported me by offering the resources and technical support needed to realize the event. My residency also produced various connections with other artists, musicians, and hackers which I continue to maintain to this day. I cannot wait to return to SGMK to continue to explore new topics of research, and continue picking the brains of the incredible community who stands behind this space”
– Angelina Almukhametova (Chicago, USA)
“Best residency ever!!”
– Helmi (Surabaya, Indonesia)
“Although it was a fantastic experience for artists to work with scientists with complete freedom and full access to knowledge, I wonder how we can repeat the model without any funding to support the free sofa accommodation and the efforts from volunteers. On the other hand, I believe this is a great model that differs from those residency organized by institutes and centers which always comes with political requirements and demands. The property of the community plays a big part too. During the residency I have met many community members in Bitwäscherei, the role of them are usually very mixed, like chemist with musician background or artist with scientific degree, or engineer with profound knowledge for history of analog computer, the people are a great library and the culture was naturally provided by the community. This dynamic is relatively rare in Taiwan, where career roles tend to be more singular, and scientists typically don’t serve other fields in the same integrated manner.”
– Shih Wei Chieh (Taipei, Republic of China aka Taiwan)
Read the full interview with Abao by Makery
“I embarked on an artistic exploration using Zentai suits as a central component in my video work. This unconventional choice served as a catalyst for probing the complex layers of identity within the realm of art and human interaction. During my residency in December 2023, I had the privilege of engaging in insightful interviews with notable figures such as Serge Bertschy, Oliver Jaggi, and Chruut. These encounters provided invaluable glimpses into their creative processes and methodologies. It was a fascinating journey delving into their artistic minds, discovering their techniques, and learning about their endeavors to push the boundaries of expression. One of the most profound lessons gleaned from these conversations was the importance of innovation and resourcefulness in the pursuit of artistic vision. Witnessing how each individual crafted their own tools and methods to breathe life into creations inspired me to seek out my own unique approaches in my artistic practice. Moreover, these interactions sparked a deeper contemplation on the interconnectedness between art and sustainability. I was profoundly moved by the dedication of these artists to not only their craft but also to contributing positively to our planet. Their commitment to sustainable living resonated deeply with me, prompting introspection on how I, too, could leverage my art to foster a more environmentally conscious world. As I reflect on the insights gained during my residency, I am filled with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. Armed with newfound inspiration and a heightened awareness of the intersection between art and sustainability, I am eager to embark on my own journey of creative exploration and meaningful contribution to the world around me.”
– Yuzuru Maeda (Japan)
