3 Art & Technology Collaborations Launched

V I S U A L I S E is engaging leading Cambridge technology companies to collaborate with contemporary artists on the creative use of technology in public life. Phillips, ARM, and Optricks Media have been involved in collaborations with artists Proboscis, Eduardo Kac, and Bettina Furnee respectively on new innovation R+D in 2012. Anglia Ruskin University’s Deputy Dean, Parternships and Enterprise, Dr. Andy Salmon said, ” This is a fantastic opportunity for creative and technological thinking to come together in an open format in the context of our public art programme. We look forward to seeing new ideas develop and supporting future parternships”.

Three commissions have been created to take place between April and October 2012, with a number of events in Cambridge bringing their progress and ideas to the public:

Lagoglyph Sound System (Eduardo Kac)

During the Poetry, Language, Code exhibition (opening 21st June at the Ruskin Gallery and Studios in Cambridge School of Art) Eduardo Kac showed the proof of concept of a new work that uses a bio-conductive ink invented by Bare Conductive London combined with electronic circuitry made by ARM in Cambridge along with sound and engineering skills of Dr Rob Toulson of the CoDE Research Institute within Anglia Ruskin University to make something entirely new – a painting which responds to gentle touch and which then sings. The work is at early stages but already thrilling audiences who have come to the Gallery during the opening week of the show. It is hoped to bring this idea to full fruition during the forthcoming months.

Artists Proboscis are collaborating with Phillips to address the issue of motivation in use of personal monitoring technologies. Proboscis are interested in creating a project that stimulates a new and different debate in the health and life-style arena – moving health matters away from the pathologizing language into a language based around wellbeing, quality of life and increased awareness in life-style choices. More info here

Artist Bettina Furnee and Cambridge company Optricks Media will explore the potential of augmented reality games in engaging with a public realm space in the city. More info here