Creative TouchDesigner Retreat Piemont
Expand your horizon while escaping the everyday grind
Discover TouchDesigner for New Media Art and Installations in a breathtaking landscape, surrounded by a vibrant group of like-minded international creators. Learn from acclaimed educator and new media artist Simon Ryden (Supermarket Sallad), known for his popular tutorials, and local expert Arianna Ratazzi, better known as Mechbull Rodeo. This ten-day TouchDesigner retreat in the hills outside of Milan is designed to inspire both your digital practice and your inner balance.
Combining deep and specific learning with real relaxation and rejuvenation, this intensive experience brings together curious minds for a period of learning, exploration, and renewal. Immerse yourself in the heart of Italy’s stunning Piemont region where you’ll discover its renowned cuisine: hand-harvested herbs, ripe tomatoes, fragrant olive oil, delicate cheeses – all expertly crafted into mouthwatering dishes that will awaken your senses.
Experience holistic rejuvenation guided by Oli Pinchbeck who will be leading daily grounding practices in qigong or yoga. He’ll help you reconnect with your body, focus your mind and unlock new creative energy. Oli is a passionate chef who believes food is integral to creativity and well-being, and he will make sure this is a given by cooking for us every day.
This retreat culminates with a site-specific showing, utilizing the skills learned over the previous week to build an immersive experience that takes place around the retreat location and invites residents from the local area to take part in the evening event. This will allow the participants to gain a real-time understanding of how the general public interacts with their work, and will also be documented to share with the wider community.
Learn more about this opportunity and reserve your spot
Your Instructors
Simon Rydén is a real-time generative artist specializing in TouchDesigner. His work explores immersive visual experiences, including visuals for Afterlife events, Robert Koch’s Future Sound performances, and the Blue Man Group’s New York show. Simon has also performed at the Labyrinth Dome in Bali, designed dome-specific VJ players used at performances in the SAT in Motreal, and exhibited at LOAD Gallery in Barcelona, and Studio 20 in Berlin, among other places. Under the alias supermarket_sallad on YouTube and Patreon, he shares his process with a global audience, providing insights into his creative process and the potential of real-time systems.
https://simondavidryden.me
Arianna, better known as MechBull, is a multidisciplinary creative technologist specializing in generative live visuals and vibrant interactive installations. Her practice is driven by a seamless fusion of work and passion, where personal interests naturally evolve into professional projects. As a TouchDesigner specialist, she approaches her work with constant curiosity, drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources. With a background in product design, she brings a thoughtful, user-centered perspective to her role as an educator—using technology to empower artists and create engaging, impactful experiences for audiences.
https://mechbull.net
https://www.instagram.com/olipinchbeck