Frequently Answered Questions [FAQs]
What’s the idea of IDST!?
A community of people coming together from different specialist areas to make live events, principally using games, play & performance across Bristol, and the UK. Whilst helping other communities, we are making our own community. Everyone in IDST! is connected into a common practice, larger than the sum of its parts.
We share skills with one aim: to get outside and make astonishing live events.
Come out and play.
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What’s the state of play?
We look to create playful states. Our events involve those taking part, challenging them to use their brain and their body. We don’t like passive audiences. We’d much rather have active participants!
We have pioneered new streamlined and mobile models to create innovative and exciting events, enacted by the players and participants themselves. Like These!
By getting the participants to make the work, we can build deeper experiences and much bigger events, full of activity, fun and playfullness, facilitated by IDST!
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We have pioneered new streamlined and mobile models to create innovative and exciting events, enacted by the players and participants themselves. Like These!
By getting the participants to make the work, we can build deeper experiences and much bigger events, full of activity, fun and playfullness, facilitated by IDST!
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What are live encounters?
We believe in meeting face-to-face. Live encounters with real people! No way! Yes, it is possible. We have co-ordinated events so that everyone gets to meet at once, tying all these experiences together into one exciting overall experience.
Now, we think Bristol* is ready for more regular happenings. We’ve started building CAPTCHA, our first attempt at creating a network of live encounters that are constantly taking place. This will be an extremely fragile ecology of chance meetings and little experiences dotted across the city.
* [Bristol is the perfect city: not too big, not too little. A little experience of playing outdoor games, a little experience of some of our work. Good cycling: god awful public transport system. A brilliant community of artists with experience in making outdoor work - You should really get involved.]
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Now, we think Bristol* is ready for more regular happenings. We’ve started building CAPTCHA, our first attempt at creating a network of live encounters that are constantly taking place. This will be an extremely fragile ecology of chance meetings and little experiences dotted across the city.
* [Bristol is the perfect city: not too big, not too little. A little experience of playing outdoor games, a little experience of some of our work. Good cycling: god awful public transport system. A brilliant community of artists with experience in making outdoor work - You should really get involved.]
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What does IDST! stand for?
Whatever you make of it....Push the button...
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Can IDST! work with other groups / organisations ?
Very much so. Yes. In the past we have helped charities, community organisations and non-profit groups run events, as well as individuals who want to host special occasions.
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Are IDST! based in one place?
No, we are a mobile group. Most of our work is in public space. We have several bases in Bristol we make work from. We have made work in several other cities across Britain. Our games (& the information around them) are transferrable to other places. |
Are IDST! a secret group?
No, but we are quiet. Of course, we’re not going to tell you everything all at once. We don’t want to spoil the surprise of our work. Most artistic work that cannot be categorised (particularly created by ordinary people) usually gets passed over by the mainstream press.
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Do you need to have particular skills to be in the group?
No. We have worked with people of all ages from a range of different backgrounds. If you do have any particular skills that can be really useful. Every member of the group brings their own special mix of talents, and things they want from it.
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Is it free to take part?
Yes - Although contributions of money, material or time are much appreciated. Organisations and companies need to pay us for the cost of running events. Any money raised goes back into the group.
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What’s IDST!’s USP (Unique Selling Point)?
We focus on creating the active participant like no-one else. We fuse games and performance and play like no-one else, making hybrid 'mutants'. Our work is flexible and yet resilient: we create open work with the potential to go anywhere. We know how to use human interaction like no-one else. Our willingness to combine skills from different forms and connect these together is what makes us strong.
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Do you need to know about technology?
No. We are interested in making work that can be used by people anywhere, without depending on technology. We do use tangible technology (that can be utilised, felt or experienced) to help people participate, but you don’t need an iphone or a computer to play. This arduino and sensor (left) is a dog (believe it or not!). It is part of a live encounter (barking at passersby). Massive respect to the hacker communities taking electronics outside: You will find links on our resources page. We know that it is not the complexity of technology or media that makes our work innovative but our ability to build complex networks. Our ability to share new skills and work together is what makes us strong. This website is, of course, technology (as, arguably, is the writing of notes), but our resources on here are the point of departure. After that we go outside and meet face-to-face. _ |
Can I suggest an idea?
Absolutely, what you make with us will be built on your ideas, as well as other peoples. The best people are able to work with others. If you stick with us, you can help us co-ordinate larger projects too.
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Can we use some of your ideas?
Yes, but get in contact with us first. You need to mention us, or even better bring us on board.
What's next?
If you live in Bristol come and help on CAPTCHA or check out the state of play for what's on....
Some of us are working on Prison Break and Some Sort of Thing. Come and talk to us there.
If you live too far away to meet face-to-face, check out our resources (useful to educators, playworkers or games creators). We are committed to building states of play everywhere.
