Over the past decade digital fabrication tools and communication technologies have been explored and utilised as craft tools and materials in their own right, producing some remarkable results. Today, new technologies embedded in real things can take these possibilities one step further – objects themselves can now tell stories, start meaningful conversations and foster new forms of economic, cultural and social relationships. But what could happen if there were more opportunities for contemporary makers to work with technologists? We launched our three month Craft + Technology Residencies to find out.



Last Friday we invited our three talented makers – Heidi Hinder, Chloe Meineck and Patrick Laing to come to the Studio and tell us about their residency plans. From January to March they will work with technologists at the Pervasive Media Studio, i-DAT in Plymouth, and Autonomatic in Falmouth to explore how new technologies embedded in objects (otherwise known as the Internet of Things) can enable remarkable interactions between people and objects. They started the talk by introducing their background and then spoke about the projects they will be developing:



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. Chloe will be based in Autonomatic in Falmouth. All the residents will be blogging throughout the process; you can find Chloe’s first blog post about developing the Music Memory Box here.



Chloe graduated from 3D Design at Brighton University in 2012, and has since exhibited at Brighton Maker Faire, New Designers, 100% Design and Tent London as part of London Design Week. Her work has also featured on Wired UK. Chloe is passionate about sustainability initiatives and promoting multidisciplinary practice. She considers herself a designer grounded by the production of thought provoking objects, backed up with vigorous research about current issues that intrigue her. Her work is always created for the public to enjoy.



Patrick Laing’s Flying Skirt Light Shade:



During his residency Patrick will be developing his Flying Skirt Lamp 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? Patrick will be based at i-DAT in Plymouth. You can find more information about the project, and Patrick’s blog here.



Patrick’s recent practice has focussed on the exploration of material potential for narrative, often participative purposes. The result of this approach and acquired skills is a broad scale of work from jewellery, to furniture and lighting, patented industrial product, store and exhibition design. Customers can be individuals, or international brands such as Adidas. Patrick’s BA degree at the University of Brighton’s 3D Design materials course goes some way to explain his holistic attitude.



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. Heidi will be based here in the Pervasive Media Studio, Bristol. You can find her blog about Money No Object here.

Heidi Hinder is an artist maker. She draws on her degree studies in Literature, and Jewellery & Silversmithing, in order to tell thought-provoking stories through beautifully crafted objects. Heidi was recently selected for a year’s scholarship in the design and creation of contemporary coins and art medals. This unique opportunity included a short residency at the Royal Mint where, despite the company’s 1100 year traditional history, Heidi had the first opportunity to fully incorporate new technologies into her practice. Keen to build on this experience, Heidi has since dedicated her practice to exploring the symbiosis between hand-making techniques and technology innovation.



We are very excited to see how the projects develop and grow throughout their residencies, and in March we will be holding a showcase event at Watershed to share how they have progressed. More information will be available on the Watershed events page soon.   



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.