Think inside the box

an IMPULSE event organized by K8 in cooperation with HBKsaar in the context of CYANOTYPES and HAMLET

IMPULSE research explores new ways of creating immersive experiences of Europe’s (digital) cultural heritage.

The February hackathon, anchored in the Impulse project, is intended to tackle not only practical research-driven challenges but also the shifting frameworks that affect cultural heritage work. These frameworks include technical conditions such as artificial intelligence and XR technology stacks, regulatory aspects like access to open data and a wide range of open technologies, and conceptual or philosophical perspectives regarding the meaning of openness and immersive experience.

Through a series of complementary challenges,  the hackathon will explore three critical questions:

1. The future of open data culture as the power of open source software increases while open data philosophies are challenged by AI;
2. The new technical conditions requiring a recalibration of access and value creation, and
3. The need for professionalization and education on XR, which must integrate both technical competencies and a deeper understanding of data-driven value processes under the unique conditions of the cultural heritage ecosystem (“data cultures”) to “think inside the box” of immersive experience.

• Warming-Up Session – presentation of methodology:
  27th of January 2026, 4.30 pm – 6.00 pm
  Online via Discord

• XR Studio Sessions “Think inside the box”:
  Tuesday, 10th of February 2026, 14.00 pm – 17.00 pm
  Wednesday, 11th of February 2026, 11.00 am – 14.00 pm
  CoHub, Neumarkt 15, 66117 Saarbruecken, Germany

• IMPULSE pre-hackathon “Creating Immersive Cultural Heritage Experiences” + workshops + lectures:
  Tuesday, 10th of February 2026, 10.00 am – 10.00 pm
  Wednesday, 11th of February 2026, 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
  CoHub, Neumarkt 15, 66117 Saarbruecken, Germany + VHS, Keplerstraße 10, 66117 Saarbrücken + online via Discord