Antenna
An electromagnetic jewelry workshop with Thiago Hersan
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 3–6 pm
Join us for Antenna, a workshop led by multimedia artist, engineer, and educator Thiago Hersan in conversation with the solo exhibition “The Tropics, The Moon, and Mars” by Mari Nagem.
We’re swimming in signals: WiFi, Bluetooth, GSM, 5G…at this very moment, there are approximately 15,000 active satellites orbiting our planet, 10,000 of which were launched within the last six years by technology tycoons as part of their plans for populating space. There are so many artificial satellites around us that we could potentially read them like stars in divinations about our uncertain futures.
Antenna draws inspiration from the interplanetary provocations in The Tropics, The Moon, and Mars to explore other astronomical connections between humans, technology, and the environment. Themes of cycles and rhythms will guide participants through the science and technology for mapping various electromagnetic signals emitted from telecommunications infrastructure, and in making their presence more sensibly felt.
Hersan will offer context on signals and systems, and lead attendees through the design of wearable antenna jewelry to measure and visualize transmissions from satellites and related technologies. The design process will inform discussions about underlying scientific concepts, experimental electronics, and cultural implications of communications technologies.
About the Artist
Thiago Hersan is a multimedia artist, engineer, and educator. He is currently an Assistant Professor and Program Director for the Data Visualization program at Parsons School of Design, and has been a technical advisor for cultural institutions such as the Museum of Image and Sound in São Paulo, Marginalia+Lab in Belo Horizonte, and FACT in Liverpool. He is also a founding associate member and technical advisor for the non-profit organization Silo in Rio de Janeiro.
Hersan has been part of many projects at the intersection of the arts and technology. He has been a member of the Astrovandalistas collective, received a VIDA 15.0 award to develop an interactive and autonomous robotic sculpture called memememe, and was a resident at FACT in Liverpool during which he created FACTLab, a space for collaboration and experimentation with technology and art. He was also recently nominated for a S+T+ARTS award at Ars Electronica 2026, a collaboration with Mari Nagem.
Hersan has been a resident at Impakt in Utrecht, the Delfina Foundation in London, and Autodesk in San Francisco; and has participated in exhibitions such as Mirror Mirror in Lausanne, Humans Need Not Apply in Dublin, Unsettled Artifacts in Los Angeles, Follow in Liverpool, and Multitudes in São Paulo.