Searching for volunteers: On-Site Work Session at Kampnagel with Dasha Ilina: The purpose of being here now

In her project BE? HERE? NOW? Dasha Ilina explores the nature of new forms of hybrid human existence in the technological age.The discourse on this topic tends to split into two opposing directions: the desire for total technological disengagement and the willingness to embrace the world of innovation unreservedly and naively. BE? HERE? NOW? starts from the emergence of mindfulness culture and specifically the emphasis it places on a "presentness" of consciousness mediated through technology. Did this culture come up with useful methods in which physical presence is no longer the exclusive mediator of emotional closeness? Can we learn from this cultural practice?

Through a collection of materials and reenactments bundled on a single website and inspired by the kitsch design of the 1990s and early 00s, Dasha will create a humorous collective reflection that is ultimately questioning what it means to have a "real" relationship in which one is "present.“

During the work session you will be diving into the online world of motivational speakers and spiritualistic practitioners. What are their communicative strategies to bond with their audiences? How do their narratives translate to a digital space? And what does it mean to follow a spiritual practice online?

In the first part of the work session Dasha will share her current findings. Together, you will reflect on digitally mediated physicality and the questions surrounding digital (tele-)presence. In a physical exploration, you are invited to collaborate with Dasha by creating content for the project website: together, you will be writing and filming your own humorous video reenactment inspired by spiritual and motivational speeches. The result will become part of Dasha’s website collection and contribute to the overall research.