Waag Society
Self-portrait
Waag Society—institute for art, science and technology—is a pioneer in the field of digital media. Over the past 22 years, the foundation has developed into an institution of international stature, a platform for artistic research and experimentation, and has become both a catalyst for events and a breeding ground for cultural and social innovation.
Waag Society explores emerging technologies, and provides art and culture a central role in the designing of new applications for novel advances in science and technology. The organisation concerns itself not only with technologies related to the Internet, but also with those related to biotechnology and the cognitive sciences. Because these areas that have a huge impact on our culture and identity, intuitive and curiosity-driven research by artists and designers is paramount. Artists and designers know better than anyone that they must question technology in order to get to the bottom of things, overthrow sacred cows, stimulate imagination and fantasy, create unexpected connections, and—above all—search for meaning.
Waag Society is always active in a social context. Every project involves several partners, each of whom bring their own, unique perspective. We also propose that new technological developments are made available to artists as soon as possible. In this way, Waag Society is a catalyst that brings to light new insights and solutions. The work that arises here is both innovative and iconic.
Description
Waag Society is a Dutch foundation headquartered in Amsterdam and named after the Waag, a XVI centrury building with civilian use purposes that was originally part of the city wall and now houses the Society’s facilities. Waag Society was opened in 1995 and is a pioneer on research concerning the intersections of art, science and technology. It is built around fostering social innovation through international artists and designers experiences and applied research. Waag Society regards artists and designers as the driving force behind the risk and potencial of new technological developments related to biotechnology, cognitive sciences and computer sciences, among others. It is structured along six main lines of work described below:
(1) The Creative Research Labs develop their own production and research projects. The Open Design Lab is centered around crafts and digital production. The Future Heritage Lab analyzes the role technology plays in heritage. The Future Internet Lab is centered around data and the development of content online. The Creative Learning Lab analyzes the role creative technology could have in education and its potential impact. The Creative Care Lab is focused on design problems in healthcare. The Smart Citizens Lab explores civilian monitoring tools and applications. Finally, the Open Wetlab concerns itself with life sciences, bioethics and design. These labs are aimed at designers, programmers and researchers running the activities and projects.
(2) Waag Academy provides information through workshops, seminars and courses to primary, secondary and higher education students as well as professionals in the creative industry with a more specialized profile. BioHack Academy offers training on biotechnology design with a DIY and open source hardware perspective. Fab Academy offers training and research supervision on the mechanisms, applications and consequences of digital production. FabSchool offers training for children and youths for the development of problem-solving skills through techonolgy. Textile Academy merges crafts with new forms of producing, manufacturing and designing in the fashion and textile industries.
(3) The public events program showcases the processes and results of the research projects, workshops and courses. The aim is to offer a place where artists, designers, architects, students, scholars, scientists and Amsterdam residents can meet.
(4) Workspaces can be leased for third-party activities, such as workshops, exhibits, meetings, etc. Among the available workspaces is the famous, XVII century Theatrum Anatomicum, located downtown.
(5) Waag Society’s publications, toolkits and magazine, available for free under Creative Commons licensing as open documents, summarize their activities processes and results.
(6) Products are released as a result of concepts and technology developed in applied research projects. One example is the Fairphone, an open source smartphone aiming to provide fair tools to every participant in the production, distribution and recycling chain.
In addition to its main lines of work, Waag Society provides consulting services for public and private institutions.
Since 1997, Waag Society’s work has received many national and international awards and nominations.
Waag Society’s activities are financed by the Creative Industries Fund NL., the Dutch government’s foundation for architecture, design and digital culture “as well as any intersection imabinable”, which in turn is financed by the Ministries of Education, Culture and Science, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Ministry of Environment and Infrastructure.
Completed projects
Fairphone http://waag.org/en/lab/products
Culture Grid http://waag.org/en/project/culture-grid-product
De Populair http://waag.org/en/project/de-populair-product
Pilotus http://waag.org/en/project/pilotus-product (es software libre)
7scenes http://waag.org/en/project/7scenes-product (es software libre)
Multimedia tables http://waag.org/en/project/multimedia-tables-product (es open source)
Creative Care Lab http://waag.org/en/lab/creative-care-lab
Creative Learning Lab http://waag.org/en/lab/creative-learning-lab
Future Creative Lab http://waag.org/en/lab/future-heritage-lab
Future Internet Lab http://waag.org/en/lab/future-internet-lab
Open Design Lab http://waag.org/en/lab/open-design-lab
Open Wetlab http://waag.org/en/lab/open-wetlab
Smart Citizens Lab http://waag.org/en/node/3065
BioHack Academy: BioFactory http://waag.org/en/project/biohack-academy-biofactory
Fab Academy http://waag.org/en/project/fab-academy
Fabschool http://waag.org/en/project/fabschool
Textile Academy http://waag.org/en/project/textile-academy
Publications
(2006) In the Shade of the Commons. http://dpya.org/wiki/index.php/Geert_Lovink,_Lipika_Bansal,_Paul_Keller_(eds.)_(2006)_In_the_Shade_of_the_Commons_towards_a_Culture_of_Open_Networks
(2011) Open Design Now; Why design cannot remain exclusive. http://dpya.org/wiki/index.php/Bas_van_Abel,_Roel_Klaassen,_Peter_Troxler,_Lucas_Evers_(2011)_Open_Design_Now_Why_Design_Cannot_Remain_Exclusive
(2011) Users as Designers; A hands-on approach to Creative Research.http://dpya.org/wiki/index.php/Dick_van_Dijk,_Frank_Kresin,_Miriam_Reitenbach,_Eva_Rennen,Sabine_Wildevuur_(eds.)_(2011)_Users_as_Designers;_A_hands-on_approach_to_Creative_Research
(2016) Teacher Maker Camp, 10 recipes. http://dpya.org/wiki/index.php/Laurie_Skelton_(ed.)_(2016)_Teacher_Maker_Camp,_10_recipes
(2016) Artists & Designers involved in art projects of Waag Society.http://dpya.org/wiki/index.php/Waag_Society_(2016)_Artists_%26_Designers_involved_in_art_projects_of_Waag_Society_2013-2016
Amsterdam Smart Citizens Lab (2016) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/media/publicaties/amsterdam-smart-citizen-lab-publicatie.pdf
Final report Digital Social Innovation (2015) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/media/publicaties/dsireport.pdf
Interim report Digital Social Innovation (2014) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/media/publicaties/dsi-report-complete-lr.pdf
Connect: Design for an Empathic Society, illustrated, BIS Publishers (2013) buscarlo bien
Innovation in health care together with end users (2013) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/healthlab_2013-en-lr.pdf
The world as learning environment (2009) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/World_as_learningenvironment.pdf
Connected! The making of a LiveArt Exchange, Eng., illustrated (2005) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/connected-print.pdf
Future Internet Lab - Future Internet special (2013, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/fil-magazine-press.pdf
Wetlab - Bioart special magazine (2012, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/media/publicaties/bioart_special.pdf
Open Design Lab - Collect your Open Design here (2011, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/ODexpo_complete.pdf
Creative Care Lab - health care special (2011, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/CLL_brochure_lowres.pdf
Magazine FairPhone, Labyrinth Psychotica, MuseumApp, mobiele Verhalentafel (2011, pdf)
Magazine FairPhone, Labyrinth Psychotica, MuseumApp, mobiele Verhalentafel (2011, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine_1004_hq.pdf
Hacking culture, a how to guidefor hackathons in the cultural sector, 40 p., Eng. (2017, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/media/publicaties/es-hacking-culture-single-pages-print.pdf
'Citizen Sensing for Improved Urban Environmental Monitoring', 9 p., Eng. (2016, pdf) https://www.hindawi.com/journals/js/2016/5656245/cta/
Identity Matters: enriching heritage to meet a new era, conference proceedings, 36 p., Eng. (2016, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/media/publicaties/riches-im-conference-proceedings.pdf
Design/Fabrication Lab, 24 p., Eng. (2015, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/media/publicaties/design-fabrication-lab.pdf
Hack the Brain - education, 16 p., Eng. (2015, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/media/publicaties/htb-2015-report.pdf
Transfer of innovation, 32 p., Eng. (2015, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/media/publicaties/vetlicat-transfer-of-innovation.pdf
Fairphone Accessory Challenge, 21 p., Eng. (2014, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/media/publicaties/design-challenge-booklet.pdf
Legal basics for designers, Open Design Contest, with 3 practical cases, 8 p. (2013, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/legalbasicsod.pdf
Real life care stories, Health-Lab, 28 p. (2012, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/real-life-care-stories.pdf
Creative Labs Transforming Higher Education, 4 p., paper Frank Kresin (2012, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/creative_labs_transforming_higher_education.pdf
The Urban future is personal, Hypermud PICNIC 2011, 20 p. (2011, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Urban_Future_is_Personal.pdf
Apps for Amsterdam, a city opening up, project report, 22 p. (2011, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/A4A_OpenCities_pub.pdf
Open Data, Open Government - Design Principles for the Public Internet, 8p., paper Marleen Stikker (2010, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Open_Data.pdf
The Internet of Things, Rob van Kranenburg & Sean Dobson, Institute of Network Cultures, 60 p., (2008, pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/notebook2_theinternetofthings.pdf
Co-creation brainstorm toolkit http://waag.org/en/co-creation-toolkit
A how to guide for hackathons http://waag.org/en/news/hacking-culture-guide
Teacher Maker Camp cookbook http://waag.org/en/news/learning-making-ten-recipes
UNDP Workshop Toolkit http://waag.org/en/undp-toolkit
Decarbonet utility toolkit http://waag.org/en/our-toolkits
Future internet special (pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/fil-magazine-press.pdf
Wetlab - Bioart special magazine (pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/media/publicaties/bioart_special.pdf
Creative Care Lab - health care special (pdf) http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/CLL_brochure_lowres.pdf
Magazine #21/2010 (pdf) FairPhone, Labyrinth Psychotica, MuseumApp, mobiele Verhalentafel http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine_1004_hq.pdf
Magazine #20/2010 (pdf) Redesign the world @ PICNIC, Open Design, incubation http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine_1003_low.pdf
Magazine #19/2010 (pdf) (Un)limited Design Contest 2012 magazine http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine_1002_low.pdf
Magazine #18/2010 (pdf) $50 prothese, Instructables Restaurant, DIY, Open Design, Video annoteren http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Waagmag18_low.pdf
Magazine #17/2009 (pdf)The first fifteen years/15 jaar Waag Society http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine_0904_light.pdf
Magazine #16/2009 (pdf) People, projects, prototypes, pilots, picnic http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine_0903low.pdf
Magazine #15/2009 (pdf) Powermapping Amsterdam, Designing Register 2, Utopian practices conference http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine_0902_light.pdf
Magazine #14/2009 (pdf) Re-architect, City Ragas, The Island, Het Geheugenhuis, E-waste http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine_0901low.pdf
Magazine #13/2008 (pdf) Fablab sense kitchen, animatiekunst, mobile game quest, http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine_0804_low.pdf
Magazine #12/2008 (pdf) Green tech, Smart environments, RFID, Games for Health http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine0803_small.pdf
Magazine #11/2008 (pdf) Virtuele werelden, DIFR netwerk, StrangerFestival, Games Atelier http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/magazine_0802small.pdf
Magazine #10/2008 (pdf) India special: ICT i.h. onderwijs, Self City, Rituelen http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/magazine_0801low.pdf
Magazine #09/2007 (pdf) Duurzame energie, Games Atelier, Museumnacht, http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/magazine_0704-low.pdf
Magazine #08/2007 (pdf) Locative media special, Picnic Jr., Fablabs http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine0703-low.pdf
Magazine #07/2007 (pdf) Wisselkabinet, Sentient Creatures, Cyberspace Salvations, CineGrid, Fablabs http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine_0702low.pdf
Magazine #06/2007 (pdf) Teylers Betalab, Plazes, de Zwijger in beeld http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine0701low.pdf
Magazine #05/2006 (pdf) PICNIC, Mediagilde, iMap, Operatie Sigismund http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine0603_lowres.pdf
Magazine #04/2006 (pdf) Webradio Irak, FRUX, P2P workshop http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine0602_lowres.pdf
Magazine #03/2006 (pdf) World-information city, Rietveld-Schroderhuis, http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine06_3.pdf
Magazine #02/2005 (pdf) Monstermedia, ScratchWorx, geosailing http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine05_2.pdf
Magazine #01/2005 (pdf) Open networks, Frequentie 1550 http://waag.org/sites/waag/files/public/Publicaties/Magazine05_1.pdf
URL: http://waag.org/en, http://waag.org/nl
Wayback Machine: http://web.archive.org/web/20170222030205/http://waag.org/en, http://web.archive.org/save/_embed/http://waag.org/nl
Wikipedia:
