Shedonism
SHEDONISM: An annual Lab for makers
Shedonism is a professional development lab for makers creating work for the outdoors and public space
SHEDONISM - A #101Lab for Outdoor Arts Makers
What is Shedonism?
Shedonism is a lab for outdoor artists and makers who typically work behind the scenes and don’t often get the opportunity to meet fellow sector colleagues. This lab is a peer learning opportunity, where everyone is encouraged to bring an idea or a project to work on, experimenting and sharing skills with the group. The Shedonism team will also be on hand to support you with materials, equipment and knowledge.
Who is Shedonism for?
This opportunity is for makers, fabricators, puppeteers, inventors, mechanics, sculptors, light artists, sound artists, pyrotechnicians, technologists, costumer designers, set designers – anyone who makes things for the outdoors. We welcome artists working at any point in their career including those thinking about working in the outdoors for the first time.
How does Shedonism work?
You will be set up with a workstation in the large bay facilities at 101. Everyone will have access to the workshop and 101 provides some materials for you to play with – but if you need anything specific, please bring your own materials with you. Most of the time is free making time, where you can work on your project and/or walk around the workstations and share knowledge with the artists in the room.
During the course of the week, conversations create further learning opportunities and sometimes artists lead spontaneous workshops – for example, Dafe Bullock from Bell and Bullock led a workshop about using 12V batteries and Kathy Hinde ran one about sound and using synths with light sensors.Each evening the group comes together over dinner to socialise and the residential nature of the lab offers an immersive experience, where you can bounce ideas of each other and find inspiration at any point in the day. At the end of the week there may be an informal sharing where everyone can discuss what they’ve been working on with the group.
Maker’s Jumble
Each year people bring objects that they don’t need and puts them in a pile on the floor to swap or sell. There’s usually a mix of old machinery, and interesting bits and bobs.
In the past we've made a leaf blower hovercraft, a chainsaw scooter, a rubber band Gatling gun and a motorised shed that took all the makers out to the local Indian restaurant one night.
Young Maker Bursary
Each year makers bring objects that they don’t need and offer them to the group to swap or sell. There’s usually a mix of old machinery, and interesting bits and bobs, which are set out and available to look at throughout the week. The jumble can also be used as extra materials and equipment to experiment with. One year, there was a free Pillar Drill and Lathe up for grabs!
"There is a lot of freedom at the event – it’s very laid back, people are let loose with a huge building and a lot of tools and junk – there are no restrictions on what can be made."
Olivia, Shedonism Participant
"One year someone brought lots of tiny ballerinas from the top of music boxes – no music box, just the ballerinas and the clockwork turning device. We challenged each other to each try and use one in our inventions, and quite a few people did. It’s a lot of fun."
Jess Kay Maker, Writer and Filmmaker