Lunchtime Talks are a series of informal presentations at Watershed's Pervasive Media Studio. They normally take place at 13:00 on a Friday, are free and are open to everybody who is interested in what they do. Come along, bring a sandwich, and get to know more about the Studio community, current and up-coming projects, or residents' work.

What if you couldn't just hear people's opinion but feel them too? One hundred people contributed to the artwork Sentiment, making a chorus of humanity through sound and touch. In this week's talk Creative Director of Sentiment Diane Wiltshire will be discussing the different stages of the project.

Sentiment can be described as an intrinsically multi-modal experience, comprising rich dynamic audio from multiple speakers with related biodata delivered through a wearable haptic interface.

The project began in November 2013 where the first participant engagement began. Over a year later and Diane had talked to over fifty participants from New Age Travellers, Monks, Army Personal, Asylum Seekers, Academics, Philosophers, Artists, Union Members, MP’s, Transgendered, proud to be 100% heterosexual and the oldest fire walker in the whole of Shropshire.

Sentiment was developed in three stages. Firstly, live art interventions through participants interviews and Electrodermal activity. The second stage was the development of the interactive soundscape and wearable device which delivered original participant EDA through sensation. The third stage opened up the work to end users at a number of venues (FACT, Eastside Projects) this summer. At each of the venues feedback from the end users was gathered. This allowed the artist to test the presumptions of the work as well as the technical aspects.

Diane will be discussing the different stages of Sentiment. Who are the original fifty participants, how do you ask questions about existence without alienating your participants? What is it like to feel someones opinion as well as hear it?

The Pervasive Media Studio is located within the Watershed building. Let us know if you'd like a tour and we'll be happy to show you around. Send an email to admin@pmstudio.co.uk

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