Abstract

Recoding the Wall was conceived as a 12 hour hackathon event that invited direct, collaborative intervention by artists, coders and makers to investigate, experiment with, and modify a new artwork by Cate Wilkinson and Colin Rennie. The artwork, entitled Colour Field, is a large interactive LED wall, which was on display at Sunderland Fab Lab at Hope Street Xchange especially for this event (previously displayed at the National Glass Centre).

The daytime art hacking activity was followed by an evening showcase and discussion event, inspired by Helix Arts Digital Drop-In Events. This informal event was a chance to share insights, ideas, and techniques, as well as hear from our panel of Digital Makers. Panel Guests:

Paul Dolan: An artist, animator and musician, interested in the materiality of media and how it relates to ideas surrounding ‘nature’ and ‘environment’. Paul is a current PhD candidate at Northumbria University where he is exploring changing notions of materiality within computer simulation-related contemporary art. He currently lives and works in North East England, where he is Senior Lecturer of Animation at Northumbria University.

Di Mainstone: Artist & Movician, Di creates sonic sculptures that extend from the body and trigger sound via movement. The New York Times has featured Di Mainstone as one of the “new generation visionaries” of the international digital arts scene. Di is artist in residence at Queen Mary University London, where she collaborates with researchers to develop new musical instruments inspired by the body. Her latest commission IN.SPIRE will open the New Wear Crossing Bridge in Sunderland.

Roger O’Brien: Director of the Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP) at the University of Sunderland, having spent over 20 years in senior positions in industry. Roger’s interests include enhanced product design solutions considering all aspects of product life; manufacture and performance, including the use of VR/AR; and laser applications for cutting and joining.

This free event was funded by the European Regional Development Fund via Creative Fuse North East, and is supported by Digital Catapult NETV.