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SENSUS Art App workshop in Toronto, Canada

For this workshop from SLOLab / York University will work with artists Rasa Smite and Raitis Smits, as well as programmer Patrick Borgeat to explore visceralization of data within the custom-made Augmented Reality application in Toronto, Canada, May 11-15, 2026. For this workshop SLOLab will work for one week to develop personalized projects aimed at exploring the symbiotic relations between social and ecological systems, making visible the invisible processes in urban nature and tracing the historical and contemporary trajectories of nature-culture sites. Here is a link to the ap and artworks: https://sensusart.rixc.org/

After the workshop SLOLab will select up to two projects that can be completed to be sent to the RIXC festival in Riga, Latvia. While the projects are not expected to be completed during the workshop, the remaining work on the project needs to be feasible to complete within the timeframe. Other considerations include appropriateness of subject matter and artistic merit. This year’s festival will be in October 2026. SLOLab will send two students to this festival (either on the same team or on two separate teams) to represent the SLOlab, to present their work and to present all the works created during the workshop.

SensUS Schedule:
Monday May 11th, 2026:
Sensorium Loft, Goldfarb Fine Arts Building, York University, and SLOlab

10-11AM: Patrick and Raitis will introduce the SENSUS ART Ap: What it is, what sorts of visualizations/sounds and experiences it allows. Followed by a technical walk through.

Coffee break

11:15am- 12:00: Rasa and Raitis will present relevant theory relating to how to work with data, best practices for visceralizing data, and will introduce artists working with data in different contexts.

12:00-12:30 – Introduce the technological parameters of the workshop, including technologies that are available for student use – including LiDAR scanning, the Foresta-Inclusive Infrastructure and the Unity environment. Students are also able to use a technology of their choice – for example for sound design

LUNCH is provided

1:30-4:30: brainstorming and discussion

Tuesday May 12th, 2026
RM YH A220: Glendon Campus, 2275 Bayview Ave, North York, ON M4N 3M6

10-12:30: LiDAR scanning and Brainstorming and workshopping ideas

LUNCH (bring your own lunch)

1:30-4:00: Project Development

4:00-4:30: Group discussion about progress and future plans.

Wednesday May 13th, 2026
Sensorium Loft, Goldfarb Fine Arts Building, York University, and SLOlab

10-11:30: Studio

11:30-12:30: Mid-week show and tell.

LUNCH (bring your own lunch)

1:30-4:30: Project Development