Workshop Series
AUG - NOV 2023
Online Worldwide, Sheffield DocFest
A four part workshop series for artists working in virtual and augmented reality.
Over four sessions, this programme will consider the longevity of virtual and augmented reality. It looks at what commissioners may look for in these modern art forms, the realities and challenges of them reaching a wider audience and a contemporary art world validity, and the developments and low points in mass production and trade.
This programme will look into methods of how you can plan a malleable and effective exhibition and touring setup for your completed virtual/augmented reality and modern time based media work. It will offer insight into the perceived trends of such content, where that perception stems from, and which organisations currently welcome such content and why.
Finally the programme will look at how content can packaged, available for collection or archiving, providing a longer lifespan beyond what the mass production line in technology insinuates, often poses problems for time based media.
In an age of rapidly developing technology, an artist may find themselves guided by trends, as a means to remain current and socially engaged. As an artist you might ask yourself:
- Do I need to contend with technology (headset) advancements and depreciation? How does that impact on my work?
- Where do I desire for my artwork to be seen?
- Can my work have longevity or is it outweighed by the supporting device(s) developing nature?
Our Curator & Head of Arts Programme Joseph Cutts invites a selected group of researchers, commissioners, curators and collectors from contemporary art and immersive art backgrounds to deliver a series of presentations on their organisations aims, research processes and year round programme. The selected are invited because of their contribution towards working with artists in virtual and augmented reality and their openness to support the longevity of those modern art forms.
Speakers incl:
- Bregje Benecke - Art Directions, IFFR
- Maitreyi Maheshwari - Head of Programme, FACT
- Anna Szylar - Programme Manager, Adam Mickiewicz Institute
- Katarina Meissner - Funding and Strategic Projects Manager, MUTEK
- Nicola Heald – Collections Manager / Visual Arts, British Council
This programme is about strategy once an artwork has recently been created and not from a funding or pre-creation point of view.
Complete Programme Listing here
Installation view - 'Why Can't We Do This IRL' (2019). © Rob Battersby & FACT Liverpool