FAQ
FAQs make me nervous, how do they work?
Read the questions, then the answers. Looks like you are doing really well already. You can also do it the other way round like an obscure game of Jeopardy.
I see, that makes sense. Now what the hell is going on here?
Artek Circle is an event for artists and scientist/engineers to explore, collaborate, converse and make work together from scratch. It runs on the weekend of the 10th-11th May 2014, in the Project Arts Centre, Temple bar, Dublin.
Great, that clears things up. Actually, wait, it doesn’t really, what is going to happen?
Artists and engineers will work together, starting with nothing, create something over the course of the weekend. It doesn’t have to be complete, it certainly doesn’t have to be perfect, but something new will be made. There are no prizes, there is no entry fee, just people from different backgrounds, making stuff in a relaxed social atmosphere.
That actually sounds good, I guess you run these all the time?
No this is the first one. David runs Science Hack Day Dublin & Dublin Maker and Hilary has people chasing each other all over Dublin. Do we know exactly how an artist/tech hackday will play out? No we don’t, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now, say that again but in the form of a quote
“At the heart of anything good there should be a kernel of something undefinable. And if you can define it, or claim to be able to define it, then in a sense you’ve missed the point.” – John Peel
Why is it called Artek Circle?
Artek is meant to read Art Tech but we can’t spell, and the circle bit is meant to be about a true back and forth between artists and science/tech. Of course the names is also a pun on Arctic circle, a historic setting of great exploration. There are layers people, layers.
I’m broke, can I afford your free event?
Yes, we have decide our that free event should reasonably priced at the sum of zero euro. It is completely run by volunteers. This is why we can have nice things.
When does it start, I want to set multiple alarms?
It starts the morning of Saturday (10th May), please show up at the surprise location the Project Arts Centre in Temple bar between at 11:00am. Temple bar is in the centre of Dublin city and serviced by many transport links. Saturday morning will kick off with a social breakfast and some “lightning talks” of the ideas, followed by the organic formation of groups and the start of new things being created.
So I have an Idea for a project, can I tell everyone beforehand so they are ready?
We encourage people to submit project ideas before the event, so people can view and discuss them before the event. They can be submitted here. It’ll let you get a head start on planning for the Saturday morning kick off, alternatively/additionally the “lightning talks” will let you pitch your idea and entice people to help you.
I come from a town where dancing and rock music have been banned, now I find that I am limping, any ideas?
Footloose.
What do I bring? my kitchen sink is portable and I’m migrating it to a cloud based service.
Bring your hacking tools of choice: laptop, extension cord/power strip, toolbox, dancing shoes, lighting, arduinos, science kits, various materials, your imagination (lab coats, berets and stereotypes are optional). If you share your idea beforehand, it will help people quite a lot in bringing the right things.
Wireless internet, hacking space, and snacks will be supplied. Power points can will be limited when everyone is working off a laptop or if you are not near a wall, so it might be a very good idea to bring a power strip to ensure you got juice.
My doctor says I should eat everyday, what is the story with food?
We will provide drinks and snacks throughout the whole event. If you got special dietary needs, or a big appetite feel free to bring your own food. There are lot of shops and cafes close by.
I have no bedtime, I can stay up as late as I want
When project arts closes at 11pm on Saturday, our friends in TOG Dublin have opened their doors to us for a late night hacking session until 2pm. Late night hacking is kinda a staple of tech hack days, but of course it is up to you if you want to potter along. If you have never been inside a hackerspace/makerspace a magical visit awaits.
I am now relaxed about FAQs, but nervous that this event is not for me.
The event is about having fun, not being an expert or showing off. If you’re nervous because you don’t have any specific ideas of what to do — or you’ve never been to a hack day before — don’t worry: there will be plenty of people with ideas who will need your skills. Above anything it is a social event, but you’ll probably find it an incredibly rewarding experience to form an ad-hoc team to spend 36 hours creating something new and exciting.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email hello@artekcircle.com or ask the question on Twitter by giving @artekcircle a mention.
