The AGO is pleased to host a series of one-day immersive workshops that offer emerging artists a deeply engaging mash-up of visual and audio experience. These workshops will feature new media designed to expand the workshop participant's toolset in a co-creative environment and offer a presentation space for seaming together participants’ samples. Workshop participants will present their concepts in the AGO’s Walker Court, where they can imagine and see how their combined creations capture the attention of museum visitors through projections and sound. As open labs, these workshops will interest emerging artists in all disciplines who wish to expand their knowledge of narrative-based experiences, immersive experiences and time-based media.

Friday, March 7, 2-5 pm - The Artificial
Friday, April 4, 2-5 pm - The Microscopic
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - The Cosmic (coming soon)

The Microscopic Workshop

Friday, April 4, 2-5 pm
Seminar Room 1
(limited spots available)

Participants are asked to bring visuals evoking “the Microscopic” theme (video and/or audio files max 2 min.) and their own computers and chargers to the workshop. Basic understanding of TouchDesigner software is highly recommended. Where applicable, other links to open-source software will also be provided.

Agenda

2 pm – Welcome
2:05 – 2:30 pm – Introduction of theme and artist talk by Simon Rydén
2:30 – 3:30 pm – Meet and greet
3:30 – 5:00 pm -- Mash-up
5:00 – 7:00 pm – Dinner Break – free time
7:00 – 9:00 pm – Showcase of Mash-Up in Walker Court (public premiere)

Public Showcase

Friday, April 4, 7-9 pm
Walker Court

Bring your friends and family to Walker Court and see the fruits of your labour. We will present the collaborative work generated in the workshop. Open to the public, free with museum admission.

Co-facilitated by Simon Rydén and Hagop Ohannessian

About the Facilitators:

Simon Rydén is a real-time generative artist specializing in TouchDesigner. His work explores immersive visual experiences, including visuals for Afterlife events, Robert Koch’s Future Sound performances, and the Blue Man Group’s New York show. Simon has also performed at the Labyrinth Dome in Bali, designed dome-specific software used at performances in the SAT in Montreal, and exhibited at LOAD Gallery in Barcelona, and Studio 20 in Berlin, among other places. Under the alias supermarket_sallad on YouTube and Patreon, he shares his process with a global audience, providing insights into his creative process and the potential of real-time systems.

Hagop Ohannessian is an Armenian-Lebanese artist based in Toronto, Canada. His multidisciplinary practice spans sound, video, sculpture, digital illustration, painting, and collage. By blending media and digital art techniques with physical materials, he explores the intersections of technology and traditional forms. He is currently the A/V coordinator at the Art Gallery of Ontario. He is joined by AGO media team, Mukhran Machavaria, A/V specialist, music producer and multi-media artist; Jamal Lee, A/V specialist, music producer and Lighting artist; and Patrick Perez, A/V specialist. Music Producer and Singer.