Following the successful testing of the mock up panel on my last visit to Bristol I contacted Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) with a view to organising a potential venue to test a working panel. I have worked with them in the past and have been involved with their Carbon Landscape project.
In December I met with several members of the Carbon Landscape, LWT and City of Trees.
Discussions centred on the project and how an interactive artwork could benefit their agendas for community interaction and dissemination of their work within the community.
Following agreement with A.N bursary team I arranged further meetings with LWT using the remaining bursary money to bring Ralph and Phill (project partners) to Wigan/Manchester. This was important to ensure that the project realised it full potential with the links and partnerships in place to continue the project development.
A research trip to one of LWT wetland locations in Wigan allowed for important conversations between all project parties as well as the collection of some site testing for audio and sound collection.
Gallery ready test panels have been created using all the developments from our time working together. These will be wired with the light sensors and audio creations by Ralph and Phill. The panels will then respond to light movement triggered through the use of small LED torches enabling the viewer to ‘Paint Sound with Light’.
The test panels will be housed in the LWT visitors centre in Risley Moss Warrington and used to begin conversations with communities based around the Manchester mossland locations. These conversations will then inform and define a new commissioned project that Stratum has secured. The commission will allow me to further explore and develop the historical, cultural and social connections of these landscapes using interactive technologies within my artworks.
I will continue to document the final installation of the test panels and results of the project on this blog. This bursary has provided a unique opportunity, bringing three practitioners together and providing the dedicated research time necessary to produce a meaningful collaboration. It has enabled the development of this trans-disciplinary project to exceed its original objectives, leading to new working methods for each of us.
