“Our vision is audaciously ambitious. We want to use The Space to amplify the impact of the artists. This has the power to change the way in which disability and creativity are viewed throughout the cultural sector. So go on. PUSH ME.”

Come and hear more, from Producer John Durrant (BDH) and Curators Jo Verrent and Sarah Pickthall, about the vision and reality of delivering PUSH ME for The Space at this lunchtime talk.

PUSH ME is one of the 53 digital arts commissions for The Space . It’s is a collaboration led by Watershed - an invitation into the journey of 12 artists working as part of Unlimited, the Cultural Olympiad programme focusing on disability.

It will profile the journey of 12 artists creating the Unlimited commissions: Susan Austin, Rachel Gadsden, Claire Cunningham, Jez Colborne and Mind the Gap, Ramesh Meyyappan, Bobby Baker, Mish Weaver and Stumble danceCircus, Caroline Bowditch, Graeae, Laurence Clark, Simon McKeown and Janice Parker.

How are the artists pushing themselves? How is what they are creating pushing others? Who else is being pushed?

We the team; Watershed, BDH – John Durrant and Curators Jo Verrent and Sarah Pickthall are also being pushed. We are creating a series of 90 second films – PUSH ME for 90 seconds – each film will have subtitled and audio description versions available and  these will be dropped into The Space from June, supported by a blog to keep audiences up to date with everything anyone could wish to know about what has inspired these artists, the commissions themselves and the impact they are having out in the wide, wide world. In September, we’ll create a 30 minute film that looks at the work showcasing at the Unlimited Festival at the Southbank, part of the London 2012 Festival during the Paralympic Games.

The interplay between access and aesthetic is interesting one and continues to keep us questioning our practice as artists, advocates and adventurous people.  The Co-Curators Jo Verrent and Sarah Pickthall founded Sync www.syncleadership.co.uk a leadership programme looking at the interplay between disability and leadership based on the idea of syncopation – placing an emphasis on a usually un-emphasised beat. Focusing on aesthetic rather than deficit, Jo and Sarah’s work is about curiosity rather than voyeurism with a focus on deepening engagement and subverting stereotypes.

PUSH ME is a commission from Arts Council England and has additional investment from Creative Scotland.

This Lunchtime Talk is part of Open Studio Friday, which takes place at the Studio every week.

Do you want to find out what is going on at the Pervasive Media Studio? Are you interested in meeting our residents, talking about a specific project or curious about pervasive media? Why not pack a sandwich and join us for one of our Lunchtime Talks and Open Studio Friday.

Lunchtime Talks are informal presentations by Studio residents and associates. They normally take place at 1pm on Friday, are free and open to everybody who’s interested in what we do.

After the Talk, we also invite you to stay with us for the afternoon to continue the conversation or work on your own projects. We provide chairs, tables, wireless and a great space. You bring what you need to work with (laptop/mobile). Our open afternoons close at 5pm.

Let us know if you’d like a tour of the space and we'll be happy to show you around. Send an email to admin@pmstudio.co.uk