Text by Victoria Gray
Potential and Further Links
In this short time it has only been possible to scratch the surface in terms of the potential of the project. It is clear that developing the MyoLink software and adapting the MyoLink hardware to our specific installation specifications is more complex than first thought. However, enough formative knowledge has been gathered to imagine how we can move forward and potentially, with which new partners.
Despite the work being in process, it was interesting to consider who these potential partners might be. This gave a broad picture of the multiple context(s) and field(s) that a project like this might develop within. A meeting with Science City York was extremely productive, suggesting ways in which the organisation might support future funding bids for this project, in particular with The Wellcome Trust. Also, it was possible to view the 3Sixty, Immersive Demonstration Space, (part of The University of York, Ron Cooke Hub), as a potential lab for further experimentation and formative dissemination.
What is very clear is that the relationship between art, science and technology is ‘trending’ right now in both research and art contexts. The result of this interest is largely positive as we see a developing discourse between disciplines that no longer need to be considered in isolation. There is also an increased drive to fund these initiatives and so the economy within these sectors and areas of research especially is burgeoning. Personally however, I have also been suspicious of this ubiquity. My specific concern being that projects are compelled to steer towards areas of research where there is financial support, potentially jeopardising artistic integrity. This is of course cynical, however, important to bear in mind, especially as creativity risks instrumentality within larger policy driven motivations that often transpire as increased funds and increased projects but not necessarily better quality art work. It is important to be clear about the motivations for this research, particularly that it developed out of an entirely different set of concerns, more personal than economic.
On reflection, the project has suitable expertise and the potential for future partnerships with the organisations visited is strong. In order to prepare the project for the next phase, a list of relevant organizations in the UK was compiled. The intention is to develop the project through some of these channels in 2014 onwards.
Wellcome Trust, Arts Awards: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Public-engagement/Funding-schemes/Arts-Awards/index.htm
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC): http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Research-funding/Themes/Science-in-Culture/Pages/Current-funding-opportunities.aspx
NESTA: http://www.nesta.org.uk/about-us
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBRC): http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/home/home.aspx
Northern Arts and Science Network: http://northernartsandsciencenetwork.blogspot.co.uk/
UKRC: http://www.ukrc.org.uk/aboutus
Superposition: http://www.thesuperposition.org/
Theatre And Performance Research Association (TAPRA): http://tapra.org/groups/performance-and-new-technologies-working-group/
Fieldwork: http://fieldwork-blog.tumblr.com/
The Art Catalyst: http://www.artscatalyst.org/
Art & Science: http://www.artandscience.org.uk/
Art Science Collaborative (ASCUS): http://ascus.org.uk/
British Arts Festivals Association (bafa): http://www.artsfestivals.co.uk/
Foundation for Art and Creative Technology (FACT): http://www.fact.co.uk/
