FINE ACTS LABS SOFIA

*Illustration: Borislava Willnevermadeit for Fine Acts Labs*

Fine Acts Labs are unique events exploring the intersection of human rights, art and technology. Our goal is to develop a range of solutions – from immersive, participatory art pieces to apps with a strong art component that disrupt, challenge and deliver.

Briefed and supported by high-profile mentors, teams of artists and technologists work together over a weekend, and prototype projects that raise awareness or contribute to a concrete solution. A jury then awards the best idea with a grant for further development.

The latest edition of Fine Acts Labs was on 24-26 November in Sofia, Bulgaria, and was focused on three diverse topic areas – Freedom of speech, Climate change and pollution, and LGBT rights. Access the full photo gallery here.

See how things unfolded at the pilot Fine Acts Labs event.

TEAMS

Ivan Shulev & Iliyana Kancheva (Freedom of speech)FakeryA project that addresses the lack of awareness about fake news – what it is and how to avoid it. Fakery takes a human-centric approach, educating via a powerful analogy, humo… — **Ivan Shulev & Iliyana Kancheva** *(Freedom of speech)*
**Fakery**
A project that addresses the lack of awareness about fake news – what it is and how to avoid it. Fakery takes a human-centric approach, educating via a powerful analogy, humour and a large dose of surprise (thus for now we are keeping all details a secret).
**Development grant from Fine Acts.**

Vladislav Iliev (Vladzen) & Dean Panayotov (Freedom of speech)Don’t be NewslessAn audio-visual installation, with an online component, demonstrating the disbalance between useful information and entertaining distractions online. A… — **Vladislav Iliev (Vladzen) & Dean Panayotov** *(Freedom of speech)*
**Don’t be Newsless**
An audio-visual installation, with an online component, demonstrating the disbalance between useful information and entertaining distractions online. An attempt to raise awareness and sharpen the audience’s attention towards their own media diet, and to give tools and ideas about how not to be newsless.
Adopted by TimeHeroes.
Free hosting by SiteGround.

Albena Baeva & Daniel Stefanov (Freedom of speech)AiAye FactsA web browser extension analysing media content and providing credibility score in %. The extension using semantic tagging for data aggregation based on sophisticated ma… — **Albena Baeva & Daniel Stefanov** *(Freedom of speech)*
**AiAye Facts**
A web browser extension analysing media content and providing credibility score in %. The extension using semantic tagging for data aggregation based on sophisticated mathematical model for criteria weight management. The criteria is based on scientific input from specialists in media and also on well-acknowledged ethical codes of mass media.

Kosara Spasova & Elitza Koeva (Freedom of speech)Spectrum SpaceA curated online space offering a spectrum, polyphony of viewing angles, enabling the creation of informed opinions on complex issues. The project aims to burst the “f… — **Kosara Spasova** **& Elitza Koeva** *(Freedom of speech)*
**Spectrum Space**
A curated online space offering a spectrum, polyphony of viewing angles, enabling the creation of informed opinions on complex issues. The project aims to burst the “filter bubble”, by fostering critical thinking and digital literacy.

Boyan Chakandrakov & Phelia Barouh (LGBT rights)What Did I do WrongA project targeting parents of LGBT people. The project’s idea comes from the insight that many parents google the phrase “what did I do wrong” when their child co… — **Boyan Chakandrakov & Phelia Barouh** *(LGBT rights)*
**What Did I do Wrong**
A project targeting parents of LGBT people. The project’s idea comes from the insight that many parents google the phrase “what did I do wrong” when their child comes out as gay. What Did I do Wrong is a web platform (appearing on top of the search results through smart SEO) featuring other parents’ stories of acceptance and love, as well as an immersive installation that reinforces the message – you did nothing wrong, as there is nothing wrong.
Adopted by Glas Foundation.
Free hosting by SiteGround.

Sevda Semer & Yana Nikolova (LGBT rights)Emotional RehearsalA sound installation consisting of voices of support, real messages of love recorded by parents of kids in pre-teen years in case they ever come out as LGBT. The art inst… — **Sevda Semer & Yana Nikolova** *(LGBT rights)*
**Emotional Rehearsal**
A sound installation consisting of voices of support, real messages of love recorded by parents of kids in pre-teen years in case they ever come out as LGBT. The art installation also exists as an interactive website, a message in a bottle or sorts. It creates a generous, non-judgmental space, an emotional rehearsal for understanding that sexuality and gender are not a problem to be solved, but a situation that simply requires acceptance and ultimately, love.
**Adopted by Glas Foundation.**

Voin de Voin & Kamen Dimitrov (LGBT rights)Channelling the GoddessEvery 15 minutes a member of the LGBT community in Bulgaria is aggressed verbally, psychologically or physically. The Goddess is an interactive piece, connected to … — **Voin de Voin & Kamen Dimitrov** *(LGBT rights)*
**Channelling the Goddess**
Every 15 minutes a member of the LGBT community in Bulgaria is aggressed verbally, psychologically or physically. The Goddess is an interactive piece, connected to a web platform, that reacts, through movement and sound, to reported abuse and hate crimes in real time. Like a glitch The Goddess appears in different points in town, and raises the public awareness about the rate and intensity of hate crimes against the LGBT community.

Tsveta Doycheva & Yan Lesnevskiy (LGBT rights)Jane’s RoomAn interactive (physical & VR) room aimed at raising awareness about transgender issues. Three human senses – audition, touch and sight are engaged to gently familiarize… — **Tsveta Doycheva & Yan Lesnevskiy** *(LGBT rights)*
**Jane’s Room**
An interactive (physical & VR) room aimed at raising awareness about transgender issues. Three human senses – audition, touch and sight are engaged to gently familiarize the public with Jane, her living room and her story. Would you like to meet Jane? Is she more than meets the eye?

Stefan Valentinov & Juliana Tekova (Climate change/Pollution)Breathe It, Eat ItAn installation visualising air pollution – a table with “gourmet” dishes made with air pollution is placed in an interactive transparent cube, equippe… — **Stefan Valentinov & Juliana Tekova** *(Climate change/Pollution)*
**Breathe It, Eat It**
An installation visualising air pollution – a table with “gourmet” dishes made with air pollution is placed in an interactive transparent cube, equipped with a smoke machine, visualising the quality of air in different parts of the city.
**Adopted by Za Zemiata & Greenpeace Bulgaria.**

Vera Gotseva (Lomovera) & Ivan Sharlandzhiev  (Climate change/Pollution)Pollution FiltersA photo app with image filters showing the various degrees of pollution of the air.  Static filters will be developed in advance, b… — **Vera Gotseva (Lomovera) & Ivan Sharlandzhiev** *(Climate change/Pollution)*
**Pollution Filters**
A photo app with image filters showing the various degrees of pollution of the air. Static filters will be developed in advance, based on the median values measured in various cities around the world (Sofia, Beijing, London, Kiev). Furthermore, dynamic filters, based on real-time geolocation and air quality data acquisition will be graphically showing the changing state of air pollution in a particular area.
**Free hosting by SiteGround.**

Evgeniya Syarova & Ivo Ivanov (YvesO) (Climate change/Pollution)Bad HabitsA fun, easy-to-use and anonymous platform to raise awareness of bad habits, inspire and vowel the community to be part of a collective solution to effective… — **Evgeniya Syarova & Ivo Ivanov (YvesO)** *(Climate change/Pollution)*
**Bad Habits**
A fun, easy-to-use and anonymous platform to raise awareness of bad habits, inspire and vowel the community to be part of a collective solution to effective resource consumption. The app introduces bad habits as a resource – the same way we have to use waste as a resource and integrate it in into our everyday life thinking. The feelings of empathy and self-observation are core for this project, and are awoken by offering the user to share bad habits and compare them locally and globally with other users from the bad habit crowd.

Katerina Vaseva & Martin Bakardzhiev (Climate change/Pollution)ImpacktA social game with hidden bonuses that targets the widespread usage of non-recyclable plastic products with a short functional life. The game has two components… — **Katerina Vaseva & Martin Bakardzhiev** *(Climate change/Pollution)*
**Impackt**
A social game with hidden bonuses that targets the widespread usage of non-recyclable plastic products with a short functional life. The game has two components: a 4-piece ergonomic kit (reusable cup, bottle, food box, bag) and an application. The application gives users small daily quests to solve fun and engaging puzzles and discover a location in their vicinity (a restaurant, a bar, a shop) where they can get a free drink/lunch with their kit.

All projects were awarded future mentoring and support by Fine Acts, and, accordingly, by AEJ Bulgaria, Glas Foundation, Za Zemyata & Greenpeace Bulgaria.