Exploring tech, storytelling and creativity: Testimonials from Barcelona Workshop Week

During the 4th PMP Workshop Week in March 10-14, 2024, in Barcelona (Spain), participants from the PMP national artist teams spent an inspiring week of workshops exploring the intersection of art, storytelling, and technology. This offered them an unique opportunity to combine creativity and technology.

Here are some of the artists´experiences and insights from the week. 

Exploring and experimenting

“When I applied to the PMP project as an artist, my motivation was to learn new techniques to integrate into my experimentation and creative research. This workshop in Barcelona hosted by Espronceda has been exactly that. I have not only been able to explore and experiment with new digital tools and knowledge, but I have also acquired a fundamental base that will allow me to continue exploring independently.

I have also acquired a fundamental base that will allow me to continue exploring independently.

Additionally, I have loved sharing this experience with the other artists from Espronceda’s team, those from other countries, and having the opportunity to be there at the residency and discover its multiple spaces.”

Elvira Martos – visual artists and painter, Spain
@elviramartos, website

Exciting and eye-opening

“Spending a week at the Embodied Narratives Production Workshop in Barcelona was an exciting and eye-opening experience. While I originally hoped to incorporate more of my dance background into the work, the biggest takeaway ended up being the people I met and the inspiring conversations we had.

I walked away with new connections, fresh insights, and a broader view of how technology and art can intersect.

Being surrounded by artists, technologists, and storytellers from different disciplines created a dynamic and creative atmosphere. Sharing ideas, learning about each other’s projects, and exchanging perspectives on immersive storytelling made the experience truly valuable. Even though I didn’t get to explore movement in the way I initially imagined, I walked away with new connections, fresh insights, and a broader view of how technology and art can intersect.

Beyond the workshop, simply being in Barcelona for the week added to the experience—the energy of the city, the spontaneous discussions, and the moments of inspiration that happened outside of the sessions were just as important as the structured learning.

I’m grateful for this opportunity, the people I met, and the ideas that will continue to shape my work moving forward.”

Aino Karstinen – dancer and choreographer, Finland
@ainokarstinen, ainokarstinen.wordpress.com

Supporting and sharing

“The chance to connect with amazing artists from different fields—dancers, photographers, writers, and more – was invaluable.  Despite our different mediums, we all face similar struggles in the art world, like financial instability and balancing creative work with paid work. However, despite these challenges, the lifelong creative journey and the excitement of continuous growth and development keep us moving forward.   This kind of peer learning and co-creation, which I experienced through the From-Artist-To-Artist Approach (FATAA), reminded me how important it is to support one another and share insights. I learned about the unique challenges artists face in different countries and disciplines, but also about the common threads that unite us in our creative journeys. Thanks to the workshop week, I left Barcelona with many references to books, films, and music, as well as new instincts on how to approach developing new projects in VR and XR.

I learned about the unique challenges artists face in different countries and disciplines, but also about the common threads that unite us in our creative journeys

During the workshop, I dove into the world of XR technologies in art. While Unity was tricky at times, it sparked my curiosity about how these tools can change how exhibitions are planned and experienced. VR, in particular, seems like a game-changer for curators and artists alike. It’s not just about the visual spectacle – it’s about engaging the audience in new ways. By blending digital and physical spaces, XR allows artists to create interactive, immersive experiences that break traditional boundaries and invite viewers to engage on a deeper level. I’m excited to see how these technologies will continue to evolve and shape the art world.”

Matej Pancurák – new media artist and designer, Slovakia
@mateomatejpancurak

The PMP Workshop Week in Barcelona sparked creativity, collaboration, and exploration across disciplines. Through shared experiences, artists deepened their practice, embraced new technologies, and formed lasting connections. Their testimonials reflect a vibrant community pushing the boundaries of art, storytelling, and immersive tech—fueling inspiration that will carry far beyond the week.

Stay tuned for more stories from the PMP journey!