The Original Cultures pilot has got under way in Bologna with the sunshine blessing the proceedings as the artists set up their workshop spaces and get to know each other and discuss ideas for the final showcase and various daily activities.

2tall/Om Unit from the UK, Tatsuki from Japan and Tayone from Italy are the 3 producers who will be working together making music and preparing a live show, while Ericailcane and Dem from Italy will work with Will Barras from the UK on visual arts, including overseeing the concept for and direction of the final showcase. In between all this will be artist workshops, seminars with students, some live painting and other fun bits, check the site for full details.

Spirits are high and everyone is enjoying not just the beautiful weather but also the food, coffee and the Italian way of doing things. Already the idea of the cultural exchange is proving itself with the artists and organisers exchanging stories about their countries, customs and ways of doing things over dinner and exchanging ideas for music and visual elements.

Check the Original Cultures Tumblr blog for on the fly updates and behind the scenes looks at what happens, pretty much as it happens. Follow us on Twitter for more of the same and check back here on Shook for daily updates starting tomorrow until Sunday this week. Also peep our Flickr page and our Twitpic page for photographic updates.

Oh and for the international crew check the Original Cultures site for updates in Italian and Japanese!

Saluti da Bologna ragazzi!