Electropixel
Festival of free electronic cultures and practices
About Electropixel
Electropixel: The Festival of Emerging Digital Cultures and Free Electronic Practices
Since 2011, the Electropixel festival has established itself as a must-attend event on the Nantes and European experimental art scene. Organized by APO33, a transdisciplinary artistic and technological laboratory founded in 1997 in Nantes, Electropixel draws its identity from the intersection of digital art, experimental music, performance, free software, and collaborative practices. The festival is part of an international network of electronic arts festivals including Piksel (Bergen), Pixelache (Helsinki), and other events in Europe.
A Radical and Transdisciplinary Program
Each edition of Electropixel offers a program structured around several axes:
- Electronoise Evenings: Concerts of noise, electroacoustic, and experimental music, and sound performances at Les Ateliers de Bitche, bringing together local and international artists in a raw and vibrant atmosphere.
- Performances and Installations: Intermedia artistic proposals combining sound, image, sculpture, code, and body in atypical venues like La Psallette, a historic crypt in the city center of Nantes.
- Workshops and Labs: Building modular synthesizers, introduction to free software for artists (Blender, PureData, GnuLinux, VCV Rack), circuit bending workshops, and DIY sound creation.
- Free Software Day: A day dedicated to free software and open digital practices, with demonstrations and exchanges.
- Exhibitions: Digital and sound art installations displayed at La Plateforme Intermédia and other spaces, freely accessible for several weeks.
- Conferences and Meetings: Round tables and theoretical discussions on the issues of digital art, alternative technologies, and contemporary critical practices.
Atypical Venues in the Heart of Nantes
Electropixel takes over several emblematic venues of the Nantes alternative scene:
- Les Ateliers de Bitche: Shared artistic space at 3 rue de Bitche, venue for Electronoise evenings and many performances.
- La Psallette: Historic crypt located at Impasse Saint-Laurent, in the city center, hosting workshops and performances in a unique architectural setting.
- La Plateforme Intermédia: Digital and sound creation space at 6 boulevard Léon-Bureau, on the Île de Nantes, home of APO33 and a festival exhibition venue.
A Commitment to Emergence and Free Software
True to the spirit of APO33, Electropixel champions a committed vision of digital art based on sharing, free software, DIY, and collaborative practices. The festival highlights emerging artists and practices often invisible in the institutional circuit, offering a space for free exchange and creation where programmers, hackers, inventors, sound artists, performers, and theorists from around the world meet. The majority of events are offered at a "prix libre" (pay-what-you-want) basis.
Electropixel — edition 2026
Electropixel #16 — 16th Edition
The Electropixel festival returns for its 16th edition at the end of August 2026 in Nantes. Organized by APO33, the festival of emerging digital cultures and free electronic practices will, as every year, offer a radical and transdisciplinary program in atypical venues in the city.
Expected program:
- A Free Software Day with free software workshops, synthesizer building, and introduction to digital tools for artists
- Performances and workshops at La Psallette, a historic crypt in the city center reappropriated by the festival
- The traditional Electronoise evening at Les Ateliers de Bitche, with radical sound performances and live experiments
- Installations and exhibitions of digital and sound art at La Plateforme Intermédia
- Meetings and conferences on the issues of digital art and alternative technologies
The full program will be announced in the summer of 2026 on the festival's official website and the APO33 website.
Programme Electropixel 2026
Electropixel #16 Program
The program for the 16th edition will be unveiled in the summer of 2026. As every year, the festival will offer:
- Free Software Day: free software workshops and open digital practices
- Workshops and Performances: collaborative creations in atypical venues
- Electronoise Evening: sound performances and live experiments at Les Ateliers de Bitche
- Exhibitions: digital and sound art installations at La Plateforme Intermédia
- Meetings: conferences and discussions on digital art and alternative technologies
Highlights Electropixel 2026
To Note for 2026
- Dates: End of August 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed)
- 16th edition of the festival of emerging digital cultures
- Sound performances, digital installations, and DIY workshops
- Electronoise evening at Les Ateliers de Bitche
- Full program to be announced in summer 2026
Prices Electropixel 2026
Practical information — Electropixel
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By Tram: Line 1, stop « Bouffay » or « Commerce » for La Psallette and Les Ateliers de Bitche (city center). Line 1, stop « Chantiers Navals » for La Plateforme Intermédia (Île de Nantes).
By Bus: Numerous lines serve the city center of Nantes and the Île de Nantes.
By Bike: Bicloo stations near the festival venues. Bicycle parking available.
By Car: From the Nantes ring road, follow « Centre-ville » or « Île de Nantes » depending on the venue. Paid parking nearby.
By Train: Nantes station (TGV from Paris in 2h15), then tram or walk to the festival venues.
Festival Venues
Les Ateliers de Bitche: 3 rue de Bitche, 44000 Nantes — Electronoise evenings and performances.
La Psallette: Impasse Saint-Laurent, 44000 Nantes — workshops and performances in the historic crypt.
Plateforme Intermédia / APO33: 6 boulevard Léon-Bureau, 44200 Nantes — exhibitions and workshops.
Ticketing
Most events are "prix libre" (pay-what-you-want) or at reduced rates. Electronoise evenings are generally "prix libre" or between €4 and €8. Daytime workshops and exhibitions are free. Tickets available on-site and on HelloAsso.
Accessibility
Accessibility varies by venue. Les Ateliers de Bitche are ground-level accessible. La Psallette has stairs. For any specific requests, contact the team at [email protected].
Food and Drink
No food service on-site. Numerous restaurants and bars near the festival venues in the city center of Nantes.
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Where does it take place — Electropixel
Les Ateliers de Bitche
3 rue de Bitche, 44000 Nantes