A DIGITAL arts programme will launch in Crewe this month.
Cheshire East has announced the launch of SHIFT – its new borough-wide programme celebrating digital arts and tech in 2017 and beyond.
From February 20 during half term Crewe Library will run a series of family digital maker sessions, workshops and activities.
Cllr David Brown, Cheshire East Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for culture, said: ‘We are delighted to see such an ambitious programme of digital creativity and participation launching in Cheshire East.
“SHIFT offers Cheshire East’s residents and businesses the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of creative digital practices from early years education to professional development.”
The opening commission is the Premiere of Living Sculpture (Virtual), on Platform 6 at Crewe Station, from Monday, March 10.
This digital and interactive installation has been created by award-winning, Liverpool-based artist Laurence Payot who uses the public realm as a stage to make out-of-the-ordinary things happen.
Through this new piece, the artist invites the visitor to interact with the art work to bring it to life.
Fusing the traditional craft of drapery fabric and an old illusion technique, with coding and LEAP motion tracking, the artwork and the visitor come together to create a breathing piece of material.
Two ‘players’ will be able to interact with each other through the cloth, as it changes shape, texture, and colour.
Interactive coded sound is also manipulated in the process.
Living Sculpture (Virtual), is the result of a two-year collaboration with evolutionary scientists at York University, exploring the symbiotic relationship between Laurence’s artworks and people.
Ian Tabbron, senior relationship manager, Arts Council England, said: “The SHIFT programme will demonstrate East Cheshire can become a leader in digital arts.
“There will be many opportunities for people of all ages to take part in activities with professional artists and designers.
“Along with colleagues from the Arts Council, I look forward to getting involved in a wide range of events over the next year.”
Full details of all the forthcoming SHIFT events can be found on shift-digital.co.uk
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