There’s exciting news to report from the studio this week as lots new projects begin to flourish.

Kathy Hinde http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/collaborator/kathy-hinde joined the Studio in October to develop new project Vocal Migration http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/project/vocal-migrations, in collaboration with Bedford Creative Arts http://www.bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/ and supported by Arts Council England http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/. The work began with a fascination of bats and their spatial navigation through sound. Kathy has been engaging with Professor of bio acoustics Gareth Jones from the University of Bristol to understand the science of the bat and collaborating with technologists’ Matt Olden and Tarim to create a device that uses sensors in the same way bats use echolocation and harmonics to move around dense spaces. The device is being tested with community choirs and choral performers, with a view to developing a remarkable show. Keep up to date with the development of Kathy’s project here http://kathyhinde.co.uk/.

Kathy will also be taking part in Bristol Jam, with Pamlimpsest http://www.bristololdvic.org.uk/bristoljam.html#PALIMPSEST where she will create sketches, drawings and video projections using graphite sequencers and translating them into a musical score of techno rhythms and electronic pulses.

New studio residents Juneau Projects http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/collaborator/juneau-projects who are undertaking a Studio Residencies commission, are beginning their research into how to collaborate with thinking machines. They’re interested in using technology as a collaborator in the process of making visual artworks, rather than a tool. Keep an eye on their project journal for the latest updates: http://www.watershed.co.uk/ished/projects/juneau-projects-2012/ 

Helen Kennedy the new director of DCRC http://www.dcrc.org.uk is leading on three new research strands: play, pervasive media, and co-creativity and collaborative processes of creative development. From these she intends to build stronger connections between UWE and the studio, hosting events that encourage new, rewarding relationships. UWE’s new MAMSC has also just launched, which will be partly taught at the studio. This creative media technology course is the first of its kind in the region and will include experience design and participatory media. At the end of the course, students will have the opportunity to decide whether the focus of their degree is MA or MSC.

As well as working with Kathy Hinde on Vocal Migrations, Tarim http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/collaborator/tarim has been busy working on a secret technology to incorporate into Raucous’ http://raucous.org.uk/ theatre project, The Stick House http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/project/the-stick-house-artists-residencies-2011. He is also working with Yvonne Bucheim on ways to develop her Song Archive Project http://www.song-archive.org/ into an exhibition.

nu desine http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/collaborator/nu-desine are just back from China where they were getting first hand experience of how the tools for moulding the plastics they use to build the AlphaSphere http://www.alphasphere.com/ work. This has enabled them to begin a process of moulding and assembly of the product in the UK. They’ve also had interesting feedback from engineers in China and the UK, on the electronics used in the Alphasphere, so production is moving swiftly on.

Tim Kindberg http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/collaborator/tim-kindberg is working with partners in Nairobi and L.A. on a panel session as part of Afrika Eye http://www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/3857/afrika-eye-2012-african-interactive/ next week. Bristol will connect with Nairobi and LA by video conference and panellists from each country will debate where digital will take African moving image in the future. Tickets are free and filmmakers are assured to be inspired. Tim has also been working with theatre company Fevered Sleep http://feveredsleep.co.uk/ to deliver synchronised multi segment videos for an installation: Its in the skin your living in.

Clare http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/collaborator/clare-reddington is currently in he warmer climate of Portugal where the Open Citites project as part of Guimarães Capital of Culture has been taking place
http://www.watershed.co.uk/news/watershed-explores-openness-in-guimar-es-2012/. The project is coming to grand finale this weekend, with a conference all around openness. Clare will be presenting alongside Watershed Director Dick Penny and inspirational thinker Charles Leadbeater. http://www.guimaraes2012.pt/

Watershed http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/collaborator/verity-alexander has just launched a £30,000 International Playable City Award http://www.watershed.co.uk/news/watershed-launches-30000-international-playable-city-award/, which challenges creatives to use technologies in surprising and engaging ways. The winner of the Award will be supported to create a work that will be publically sited in Bristol before heading out on an international tour. Verity has been working hard getting word out about this opportunity to cities across the world. Applications close on 5 December, so if you know anyone who might be interested, do let them know.

Victoria http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/collaborator/victoria-tillotson has been working on Watershed’s the Craft + Technology Residencies http://www.watershed.co.uk/news/exploring-science-and-technology/. Delivered in collaboration with the Crafts Council, i-DAT, the Autonomatic research group at University College Falmouth, these three residencies will explore how makers' specialists skills can make a big difference in the world of science and technology. The deadline has just passed so watch this space to find out who has been successful.

With REACT’s http://www.watershed.co.uk/ished/projects/react-hub/ Heritage Sandbox coming to an end, REACT Producer Jo http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/collaborator/jo-lansdowne is moving forward with the second theme: The future of Books and Print http://www.react-hub.org.uk/books-print/, where collaborations will be funded for a three-month period to develop an innovative prototype and explore potential markets and business models. Applications are now closed; successful projects will be announced in January.

And REACT Producer Matt http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/collaborator/matt-davenport is thoroughly investigating the theme to follow Books & Print: the future of documentary. http://www.react-hub.org.uk/future-documentary-sandbox/ This theme will offer new ways for researchers and media companies to collaborate, engage audiences and develop sustainable businesses, supporting them to take advantage of this rapidly evolving field. Applications will be open for this theme in January 2013, with the application deadline 5th April 2013

So, lots of opportunities on the horizon and lots of ways to get involved. And don’t forget, every Friday we throw open our doors for Open Studios http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/open-studio-friday. Each week we kick off with our continuing series of 1pm lunchtime talks. We have an exciting programme unfolding throughout November with talks from Studio Residents Lumiere Digitale on their ambitious plans for a new show that draws together elements of dance, circus, projection mapping, tracking and responsive soundscapes; Airside’s Fred Deakin, who will discuss the process of creating interactive spaces; and artist Nikki Pugh, who will share her practice and ideas on how technology and playfulness can be woven together to encourage us to see spaces around us in different ways. Full details can be found on our website and we look forward to seeing you there: http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/events