In this lunchtime talk we will introduce Nowism, the Undershed show that opens on 11 June. This exhibits work created by four artists and Pervasive Media Studio residents whilst in residence alongside researchers in the ESRC Centre for Sociodigital Futures at University of Bristol. Nowism brings together four playful, interactive projects that encourage reflection on how emerging technologies are shaping our everyday lives and who gets to predict futures. In the talk, the curators and researchers will discuss art thinking and the role of creatives in residence in a research centre, whilst some of the artists will share their processes and the works-in-progress they’ve produced. 

Co-curators/researchers Paul Clarke and Helen Manchester (University of Bristol) and curator-producer Hannah Redler Hawes will discuss the exhibition narrative, their experience of collaborating with the artists, and connections with the Centre’s research on how social and digital futures shape one another. Some of the artists will join to introduce the work they have co-created, Vincent Baidoo’s Solar Punk Bristol, which builds a transmedia, technologically optimistic world, Alistair Gentry’s Folk Heroes of the Pre-Apocalypse, near-future activist characters who resist corporate futures, Annette Mees' We live in a world made of gifts, a counter-infrastructure for connection, and Over Head Pareidolia, by Rachel Smith, which invites us to make ‘faces’ that tease the limits of emotion detection software.

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday 5th June at 13:00 for the talk and to take part in the Q and A discussion afterwards. 

Want to support what we do at Watershed? Please consider donating, so we can bring you more talks like this.

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:

Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:

The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.