MOSTYN teams with university to investigate relationships between art and digital technology
An exciting new project which seeks to use digital technology to enrich the experience of visitors to an art gallery launches this month at MOSTYN in Llandudno.
The research phase of the 'MOSTYN Edge' project 'Canvas' - funded by Innovate UK, the UK's innovation agency, - brings together University of Central Lancashire's Media Innovation Studio, technology designer Dr. Adrian Gradinar and gallery staff and visitors in an initial feasibility study.
The study will ask the question, "How do audiences want to interact with a public art gallery in the digital age?" The results of the study will feed into the development of a digital platform which will add to the visitor experience at MOSTYN, Wales' foremost contemporary art gallery.
Workshops will take place during the months of February and March and the gallery is seeking interested individuals and groups to play a part in influencing the final outcome.
Later on in the year, depending on the outcome of the research and development phases, the gallery will be rolling out a series of events, talks and workshops for adults and young people, including a dedicated schools programme funded by Arts Council of Wales.
Clare Harding, MOSTYN's Digital Curator said:
"Art galleries such as MOSTYN are always seeking to reach new audiences and to improve the visitor experience. We want to involve our existing visitors, and those who may not currently visit, in telling us how best to use digital technology to meet their needs and to enhance their enjoyment of our exhibitions and events. No previous experience or in-depth knowledge of art is required to get involved, so we'd encourage people to get in touch by calling 01492 879201 if they’d be interested in taking part.
University of Central Lancashire's Dr. Mark Lochrie, a researcher, technologist and project co-investigator, said:
"Digital is all around us, we are ever-increasingly connected to one another. In its simplest form digital is just a ‘swipe away’. Digital is ‘everything’. However, digital in the form of a mobile phone can be seen as a barrier when used to engage with cultural experiences. It blocks our view to the physical world, it disrupts us, and it obscures realities. We want to investigate how digital technology delivers the possibilities to provide a greater level of interaction and increase in knowledge and richer content.
Interested in taking part? Contact [email protected] or telephone 01492 879201
