Artist workshop - Taylor Smith at FIlmverkstaden 23-24 May 2026

The darkrooms and the artists taking part in the Darkroom Exchange residency program will offer workshops in sustainable photography during the residency period.

Artist Taylor Smith (NO) is visiting Filmverkstaden in Vasaa, Finland in May.
She will offer the workshop “Local Living Emulsions” at the darkroom 23.-24. May 2026.

Workshop at Filmverkstaden 23.-24.May 2026

Filmverkstaden presents a two-day hands-on workshop led by artist-in-residence Taylor Alaina Liebenstein Smith, part of the Nordic Analogue Network.
Together, participants will experiment with alternative “living” film emulsions using locally collected materials from Vaasa. We will reuse old 16mm film, remove existing images, and create new light-sensitive surfaces with mineral and microbial mixtures gathered from the surrounding environment. Through collective experimentation, the workshop explores sustainable and alternative approaches to filmmaking, while reflecting on the material origins of photography and film.

Participants are welcome to bring their own samples. Plant leaves, algae, rust, or any materials they would like to experiment with as part of the emulsion-making process. You are also encouraged to bring photographic negatives (16mm or any format) or objects for making photograms.

Taylor Alaina Liebenstein Smith (b. 1993, USA-FR) is a visual artist and researcher based in Oslo. Working with photochemical film, installation, and biological media, her practice explores emotional connections to endangered ecosystems and the invisible effects of climate change through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Participation fee is 80€, all materials are included. Max 10 students.
Sign up by sending an email to mail@filmverkstaden.fi
The workshop language is English.