A Music Memory Box for people with dementia, a flying lampshade that communicates feeling, and coins that trigger invaluable experiences: these are all part of Watershed's new three month Craft + Technology Residencies, which begin this week.

Three talented makers – Heidi Hinder, Chloe Meineck and Patrick Laing – will work with technologists at the Pervasive Media Studio, i-DAT in Plymouth, and Autonomatic in Falmouth during the Residencies to explore how new technologies embedded in objects (otherwise known as the Internet of Things) can enable remarkable interactions between people and objects.

To kick off the programme, this talk brings together the recipients of the commissions, Heidi Hinder, Chloe Meineck and Patrick Laing; researchers Simon Lock from i-DAT and Katie Bunnell from Autonomatic; the Crafts Council; and of course Watershed and the Pervasive Media Studio.

Craft has always played an important role in society and culture, taking forms that can be challenging, beautiful, useful, tactile and extraordinary. But what could happen if there were more opportunities for contemporary makers to work with technologists? Join us for this talk as Heidi, Chloe and Patrick share the ideas they plan to develop, in their exploration to find out:

Chloe Meineck’s Music Memory Box:

Imagine a music box that invites dementia sufferers to hold familiar objects, which activate songs, and magically stir inaccessible memories. Chloe Meineck’s Music Memory Box does just that, but now imagine that it could do even more? Setting out to develop this extraordinary project, Chloe will investigate the potential of communal experiences for care homes,
which could even break out of the box to pervade the everyday.

Patrick Laing’s Flying Skirt Light Shade:

At first Patrick Laing’s Flying Skirt Light Shade hangs in a limp felt form from the ceiling, until it is switched on, where upon it begins to rotate and the skirt opens out, silently spinning like a dancer’s. Whilst spinning its shape can be manipulated by touch, just like a thrown clay pot on a wheel. Patrick will explore whether his Flying Skirt Light Shade has the potential to become a playful public
experience? Could smart, networked Skirts in transient spaces like airports or hotels, enable new forms of interaction?

Heidi Hinder's Money No Object:

Alongside sex and war, money is a constant in human history. But the object of money is fast becoming immaterial. Coins, cash and credit cards are arguably obsolete as digital representations of currency replace these physical objects. Yet trading still relies on trust. So how do we trust what we cannot tangibly experience, what we can no longer touch, see, smell or hear? Beyond the financial, Heidi Hinder will playfully question ideas of value and re-imagine the designed object of money, exploring what could happen if beautifully crafted ‘coins’ could trigger truly invaluable and enriching points of exchange.

Craft + Technology Residencies is a Watershed development programme, delivered in collaboration with the Crafts Council, i-DAT and Autonomatic and supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.


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