Projects selected in the third call

In this third call, eight new LABoral IMPULSA residencies are launched. Each of these initiatives aims to develop and innovate the cultural and creative industries of Gijón based on very original and creative ideas, most of them socially and environmentally very committed. In this edition, the projects are related to fashion, graphics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, performing and sound arts or development cooperation. This occasion also stands out for the fact that five of the eight chosen projects are led by women.

The proposals of Elvira Pesquera Menéndez on the one hand and Diana Martínez Arias on the other, are dedicated to innovation in fashion based on greater recycling and sustainability of one of the most polluting industries globally. Two other initiatives investigate advanced techniques of artificial intelligence for tourism, as is the case of Horacio García Fernández, or virtual reality applied to new audiovisual narratives of cinema, as proposed by Ana Bravo. The initiative of Jesús Ubierna and Camino Lebrato combines artisanal graphic techniques with digital procedures. Carmen Romero aims to promote the Asturian performing arts online. New development cooperation proposals related to LGBTI culture define Alejandra Gil Taboas’ project. And finally, innovative designs in acoustic panels and modular platforms define the initiative of Fumarea S.L.

Alexandra Gil Taboas – get involved

After ten years of work in the field of international cooperation, this one-man project focuses on the provision of services in two areas from Gijón. Firstly, that of the management of cultural projects. Under the direction of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Alexandra coordinates the training actions of the PROCULTURA program in Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa and in Timor Leste, with the aim of increasing job creation in the cultural sector. Secondly, in social communication, after the design of the institutional communication strategy of the project “Being LGBTI in the Caribbean” for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Ana Bravo – VR ex machina. The narrative challenge of Virtual Reality

The VR ex machina project consists of the exploration of the technique and narrative of virtual reality through the making of an immersive fiction short film, recorded in 360º video. The main objective is to experiment with 360º video, virtual reality and a film script, applied in a combined way to audiovisual production.

Carmen Romero – deCarmela.es

Strategic proposal for the dissemination of the performing arts of the Principality of Asturias through new communication channels (RRSS) to promote and disseminate theater and thus generate new audiences. deCarmela.es will act as a distributor of the performing arts from the region to the outside of Asturias and vice versa. It will also promote the communication of theatrical events that are going to take place within the community.

Diana Martínez Arias – Forestic: sustainable fashion with 3D printing

Development of the Forestic fashion brand that is characterized by the design of removable clothing with interchangeable and biodegradable parts. With this, users combine and reuse different pieces of the same garment, to create many different looks with just a few pieces of clothing. The objective is to help the fashion industry stop being the second most polluting in the world and thus help protect the planet.

Elvira Pesquera Menéndez – Nael Swimwear

Nael Swimwearis a sustainable swimwear brand, made with recycled fabrics from plastics rescued from the sea and nature. With a marked social and environmental objective, the project aims to produce its own recycled fabric, based on the cleaning of the Cantabrian Sea in Asturias and Galicia, as well as its beaches. The plastic will be processed and transformed into recycled yarn for self-supply, as well as for sale to third parties.

Fumarea S.L. – D´OREYA

DÓreya consists of the development of acoustic panels and modular platforms made from a combination of rubber and wood, 100% recycled materials. The modules are adaptable to any space, whether a rehearsal space or a permanent concert hall, without losing the original utility of the space. This proposal aims to promote, through the different branches of design, new, more aesthetic and sustainable products for the professional world of music and sound.

Horacio García Fernández – Cultural visits and artificial intelligence

Application of artificial intelligence to the tourism and culture sector, through the development of an app and an innovative approach with the use of chatbots. Through gamification, the user will begin a conversation via WhatsApp, from which they will be guided by a conversational chat that will invite them to join an interactive adventure in which they will discover different locations. All of this will be told through a story that will hook the user from the first (virtual) contact.

Inés G. Aparicio – Sing a battalion

Sing a battalionis a 2D animated short film in production. A journey of music and cabaret, but also of freedom, the same freedom that permeates the protagonists. For Inés, this trip becomes an adventure that makes her dream of a freer and libertarian future in which joy and equality are the basis of human relationships around the world.

Jesus Ubierna and Camino Lebrato – Propaganda

PropagandaIt is about the creation and consolidation of an experimental design and printing workshop that combines artisanal and digital techniques for the development of innovative graphic projects on different media. His work area ranges from the analogue of ink and wooden blocks to the digital processing of that image and its subsequent use in the creation of new pieces.

Maite Prida Barquín- Loc & boc

Recycling of canvases from cultural events, exhibitions, concerts, fairs, etc. A durable, resistant material, with a good response to handling and whose destiny is to be stored and finally destroyed. Tarps are mainly made of PVC or polyethylene. Reuse of canvases for design.

Mar Martin & Rocío Pinín – Cuatrogüeyos

Cüatrogüeyos unites the word and the image in designs with messages that transmit: visibility, labor support for women, support for women who suffer abuse, encouragement of reading, respect for minority languages ​​and interest in poetry.

Raúl Rodríguez Arias- Art Nómada

Art Nómada uses ceramics to develop ideas and people through workshops aimed at all types of users, in unconventional contexts and spaces.