Provisions DIY: MediaShed
I love all of the media and tech hacking groups and centers that are popping up in various cities around the globe. They provide space, technology, technical assistance, other resources, and community, to those who want to “hack the system,” engage in “media jamming,” or just make cool stuff with repurposed technology. One new center, located in Southend on Sea, England, is called MediaShed. They provide all of the above and have a unique mission — all of the gear and gadgets they employ is what they call “trash tech,” found, recycled, repurposed, freebees, etc. Like “Freegans” who are intent on living off the waste of others, MediaShed wants to see what sort of media art can be made with the detritus of modern media- and techno-culture. For instance, they use only free, open source, software at their center and in all their work, all recycled computers, cameras, and other gear. They say, of their charter (and what they call “free-media”):
The MediaShed is the first “free-media” space to open in the east of England. It’s a place where members can come hang out, learn, propose some training, create and propose new projects using free-media or show things they have made on one of our screening nights. The MediaShed is designed to be as open and accessible as possible, welcoming all. Free-media is best thought of as a means of doing art, making things or just saying what you want for little or no financial cost by using the public domain and free software and recycled equipment. It is also about saying what you want “freely”, using accessible media that can be taken apart and reused without unnecessary restrictions and controls – “free as in free speech.”
Here for more about MediaShed and free-media.
