presentschillhacking weekend
with Andy Quitmeyer
Technology, Nature & Creative Experimentation
Departure: Fri 6th, Barcelona, 12h
Arrival: Sun 8th, Barcelona, 19h
Price: 200€ (All Included)
ferestecs presents a weekend in nature with Andy Quitmeyer (Dinalab). A small group of artists, creators, engineers and curious explorers will come together to collectively hack technology and nature. For a few days, we’ll live, code, walk and work together in a natural environment, setting up a temporary outdoor lab.
The weekend begins by settling in, sharing food and getting to know each other. After a collective introduction, participants are invited to choose or propose a simple experiment to develop during the days ahead. Andy will show us how to build things such as mothboxes or camera traps, but you can make any other device you can imagine designed to interact with the environment. We will share an open air workspace and chill hack together so ideas and skills can flow everywhere!
Throughout the weekend, we’ll experiment with handmade electronic devices, sensors and cameras to observe what usually remains invisible: nocturnal creatures, animal traces, latent data and the biorhythms of day and night. Devices are built collaboratively, opened, modified and deployed into the landscape, becoming temporary laboratories, artificial creatures or quiet observers.
Days will flow between hands-on workshops, collective walks through the surrounding area and free hacking time. Morning walks will become moments to collect devices left outside overnight and see what happened, using the walk itself as part of the process. From there, participants are free to continue developing their ideas, iterate on prototypes or start something new.
Nights are for slowing down together. We place devices back into the environment, take night walks, share dinners, watch films, talk, or improvise activities such as live coding jams shaped by the group and the moment.
There are no fixed outcomes and no pressure to finish anything. What matters is the process: curiosity, care, experimentation and collective learning. Prototypes may work, fail or remain hidden, all outcomes are part of the experience.
On the final day, we gather to share what happened during the weekend: what the devices captured, what surprised us, and how these small experiments suggest alternative, speculative ways of relating to our landscape through technology.
This is an intimate, collaborative experience for a small group from the Creative Coding Barcelona community. It’s a space to experiment, create and play with technology beyond screens, while building community and sharing knowledge along the way.
Bring curiosity. Leave with skills, stories and ideas.
What is ferestecs?
ferestecs is a chill hacking weekend in nature led by Andy Quitmeyer (Dinalab). It’s a hands-on, collaborative experience where a small group experiments with technology as a way to observe, interact with and listen to the natural environment.
Who is this for?
Artists, creative coders, engineers, designers, researchers and curious explorers. You don’t need to fit a single profile — curiosity, openness and a desire to make things together matter more than expertise.
Do I need technical skills?
No specific level is required. Some participants may have experience with electronics, coding or fabrication, others may not. Learning happens collectively, by doing and sharing knowledge.
What will we actually build?
DIY devices such as mothboxes, camera traps, sensors or other handmade electronic experiments that interact with the environment. You’re also encouraged to propose or invent your own prototype.
Is there a fixed program or schedule?
No strict schedule. The weekend follows a shared rhythm of walks, workshops, free hacking time and moments to slow down together.
What should I bring?
Curiosity, comfort with being outdoors, and any personal tools or electronics you’d like to experiment with (optional).
Do I need to finish a project?
No. There are no fixed outcomes and no pressure. Process matters more than results.
Where does it take place?
At a beautiful house in Cambrils dels Pirineus, a natural environment outside Barcelona. The house has multiple rooms and single beds for all the participants.
Is this a group or individual experience?
Both. You can follow your own ideas, but the experience is highly collaborative and collective.
How much does it cost?
200 €, which includes: Materials and shared tools; Transport to and from Barcelona; Accommodation; All meals and soft drinks.
How many spots?
Spots are very limited; this edition has up to 14.
Any other questions?
Contact us at ferestecs@tgam.xyz.
About Dr Andy Quitmeyer
Dr. Andy Quitmeyer designs new ways to interact with the natural world. He has worked with large organizations like Cartoon Network, IDEO, and the Smithsonian, taught as a tenure-track professor, and even had his research turned into a (silly) television series called “Hacking the Wild" distributed by Discovery.
He spends most of his time volunteering with smaller organizations and communities, and recently founded the field-station/makerspace, Digital Naturalism Laboratories. In the rainforest of Gamboa, Panama, Dinalab blends biological fieldwork and technological crafting with a community of local and international scientists, artists and engineers.
About The Generative Art Museum
The Generative Art Museum (TGAM) is a non-profit organization based in Barcelona dedicated to exploring, promoting, and advancing the understanding and appreciation of generative art and creative coding as a form of artistic expression.
About Creative Coding Barcelona
Creative Coding Barcelona is a community exploring the creative possibilities of technology. Its mission is to share knowledge and inspiration and inspire multidisciplinary collaborations. The collective welcomes everyone, regardless of programming experience or technical background. We organise informal gatherings providing a space for members to showcase projects, discuss topics of interest, and connect with others who share their passions.