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DigiMyths

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Latest Update

Thank you to those who came out to the Multiple Formats!

Stay tuned for our next programming event!

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About

What is DigiMyths?

DigiMyths is an initiative that emerged out of a desire to support third culture kids during the COVID-19 pandemic when visiting familial lands abruptly became impossible. We platform artists that expand on our definition of 'digital folklore' defined as intersecting their culture with digitalism. The projects we highlight explore means of re-contextualizing one's heritage through software with the goal of expanding one's understanding of their ancestry without geo-physicality.

How does DigiMyths take form?

Initiatives take different iterations based on capacity, opportunity and availability of collaborators. Making sure that anyone involved in the programs are compensated for their time and supported is the biggest priority.

DigiMyths has been:
  • An educational program
  • A speaker series
  • A book
  • A grant
  • A presentation
  • An table at an art book fair
DigiMyths could be:
  • A one-day conference
  • A press
  • A space

Who Organizes This?

The project is currently maintained by Kevin Cadena, though DigiMyths initiatives involve and center other artists, designers, educators, facilitators, storytellers, writers and more.

How can I reach out?

You can get in contact with DigiMyths organizers through the following:

Current Form

We're hard at work with what our next event or program might be! Please stay tuned for more!

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Archive


DigiMyths at Internet Yami-ichi "Downloaded" 10-Year Anniversary Market

Spring 2022

DigiMyths will be hosting a table centered on Digital Folklore at the upcoming Internet Yami-Ichi Market in New York City on Sunday April, 17th, 2022 at NowHere! Celebrating 10 years of quirky, interesting, exciting and odd internet-ish items.

We'll be featuring the work of:

We'll also have copies of the DigiMyths reader at the event!

Learn More Details About The Market!

Presentation and Panel at Multiple Formats Art Book Symposium 2022

Spring 2022

Kevin Cadena, the organizer of DigiMyths was brought in to present their intention behind starting DigiMyths and the process for making the DigiMyths reader at Multiple Formats, a symposium on art books and publishing.


DigiMyths Grants

Winter 2022

About

DigiMyths Grants is the transitioned state of the DigiMyths @ Soft Residency Program.

In the spring of 2022, four artists were awarded each awarded an unrestricted $700 grant to use in any way that supports their practice. The projects funded by the grants reflect the ancestral and/or diasporic experiences of the artists and the projects chosen were at various different stages of development from initial research to finalizing.

Grant Recipients

The four grant recipients of the DigiMyths grants were:

Organizers

  • Kevin Cadena, DigiMyths Coordinator
  • Andres Chang, Soft Surplus Community Liason

DigiMyths Reader

Fall 2021

A book produced to document the DigiMyths educational program. This volume brings together details about about the curriculum, residency and speaker series and includes an introductory text by DigiMyths Organizer, Kevin Cadena. Contributions rounding out the publication, include commissioned essays, original illustrations and contributions from the DigiMyths program.

Participant Contributions

Commissioned Essays

All essays were accompanied with an original illustration made by Kevin Cadena.

The reader was released in September 2021 and risograph printed with TXTBooks and comes packaged in a reflective anti-static bag with a sticker and a piece of packaging tape that can be used as a de facto bookmark.


DigiMyths Public Speaker Series

Spring 2021

At the end of the program, we had a public speaker series with two artists whose work intersects storytelling, mythology, and technology.

  • Wednesday March 17th, 2021: Allan Pichardo Speaks on His Project, Follow the Drinking Gourd.
  • Wednesday March 24th, 2021: Somnath Bhatt gives a lecture on his process titled On The Work.
See More Information Here

DigiMyths Winter 2021 Educational Program

Winter 2021

Over the course of two weeks, participants researched mythologies, sketch out potential ideas melding in computer technologies, and actualize their concepts. The class structure co-worked on Wednesdays, convened on Sundays, and Discord throughout the week to share resources showcasing how artists have recontextualized their heritage through digital media. After the program concluded,a public speaker series will follow, along with the publication of a book documenting participants’ work made during this time.

Participants were either enrolled in a degree-granting arts program, had graduated within the last two years, or stopped their studies due to COVID-19 complications. Participants should have a connection or want to reestablish a lost connection with another place outside of where they reside and are looking for ways to engage with the culture and tradition of that land.

Participants accepted into the program were asked to place a $20 deposit and received an additional $50 upon completion of the program and submission of materials for documentation. Applications who cannot afford to place the deposit can state so in their application.

Credits

The DigiMyths Educational Program would not have been possible without these people!

Babycastles Residency Coordinators
DigiMyths Applicant Jurors
Guest Facilitators
Babycastles Organizers
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Thank You!

DigiMyths first year of projects would not have been possible without the following people who contributed to launch the project. Thank you all so much for taking a chance on this project

IndieGogo Backers

Along with members of my family, Samantha Cadena, Claudia Rincon, Nidia Rincon & Jose Cadena who helped fundraise locally in Orlando, FL!