Gambiarra and Techno-Vernacular Creativity in NIME Research

Abstract

Over past editions of the NIME Conference, there has been a growing concern towards diversity and inclusion. It is relevant for an international community whose vast majority of its members are in Europe, the USA, and Canada to seek a richer cultural diversity. To contribute to a decolonial perspective in the inclusion of underrepresented countries and ethnic/racial groups, we discuss Gambiarra and Techno-Vernacular Creativity concepts. We believe these concepts may help structure and stimulate individuals from these underrepresented contexts to perform research in the NIME field.

We’ve always been antagonistic: algorithmic resistances and dissidences beyond the Global North

“…It is a word that has emerged from common parlance in Brazil and which usually denotes precarious and improvised technical assemblages which aim to overcome particular needs with limited and often non-ideal supplies and tools. Authors have highlighted gambiarra 's resemblance with hacking and technological disobedience, and have also framed it within broader concepts such as “techno-vernacular creativity” (Tragtenberg et al, 2021). Possible translations of gambiarra to English would be kludge or makeshift , and there are also notable similarities with the Indian notion of jugaad and its associated concept of “frugal innovation” (see Rai, 2015).…”

Introduction to the Sociology of Music Technologies: An Ontological Review

“…According to Tragtenberg et al (2021), the gambiarra is usually considered "negative, humorous, and ingenious. The colonized minds tend to consider it inferior to industrial technology from abroad" (Tragtenberg et al, 2021).…”

“…According to Tragtenberg et al (2021), the gambiarra is usually considered "negative, humorous, and ingenious. The colonized minds tend to consider it inferior to industrial technology from abroad" (Tragtenberg et al, 2021). The creative practices evidenced by the ethos of the gambiarra, based on material limitations of "underdeveloped" countries, re-signify and transform technologies from "developed" ones.…”

“…The very notion of underdevelopment is nothing but a neocolonialist strategy in many different aspects: economic, political and epistemological. Within a decolonial perspective, the same authors still refer to the concept of Techno-Vernacular Creativity (TVC), by Nettrice R. Gaskins, as "a set of adaptations of mainstream technologies carried out in the periphery of the planet" (Tragtenberg, et al, 2021), something close to the idea of gambiarra. In the words of Gaskins:…”