Machines of the Future - Inspiring Young Innovators
Artwork by John Whall at PlayLAND LEVEL Launch 2024. Photo by David John King.
UK New Artists and S.H.E.D have come together to offer young creatives (aged 12 - 19) an exciting opportunity to participate in Machines of the Future: Creative Engineering Summer School.
Dates: Monday 5th - Friday 9th August 2024
Location: University of Derby, Kedleston Road
This free week-long programme, led by Derby-based artist John Whall and engineers from the University of the Derby, will provide a unique opportunity for 15 participants to connect with like-minded individuals, shed light on potential career paths with local employers, and learn how their creativity can make a meaningful impact on the world.
Meet the Artist: John Whall
John Whall is a multi-award winning Digital Participation Artist, Curator and Producer who uses digital tools and materials to creatively engage audiences with arts and contemporary culture. His work is a fusion of digital and participatory practice, through collaborative and co-creative processes, with a focus on creating together. This involves translating complex digital practice into accessible creative activities, which inspire and empower audiences in the creation of immersive experience.
‘‘I'm excited to be working with UKNA and local young people on this project and to see how they creatively use immersive and digital technology, along with engineering, to dream up the future and develop confidence in their own creative thinking.’’
John’s work also includes exploring participatory practice through our conscious experiences of online and offline immersive creative spaces. Aligned with phenomenological philosophies and the basic intentional structure of consciousness. He is intrigued by how our first-person perspectives of collaborative physical and online spaces can allow us to explore our individual conscious experiences and their relationship to others.
John is passionate about developing high quality digital experiences that champion the diverse creative expression of our communities.
Hands-On Activities: What We Will Be Doing
Throughout the week, participants will delve into Derby's rich industrial heritage, engage in hands-on activities, and visit local institutions. The highlight of the programme? Building their very own machine, which will be displayed at the UK New Artists Weekend Celebration of Creativity!
Monday 5th: Meet the professionals and your fellow participants, explore Derby's industrial past and learn about design using OpenBrush VR.
Tuesday 6th : Take a field trip to Masson Mill, Matlock, get a peek inside an Amazon factory, kitbash with Lego Technic, and get an introduction to Blender (software).
Wednesday 7th : Explore Unreal Engine (software), kitbash with Blender and start designing your build.
Thursday 8th : Work on your machine and learn about environment building and robot integration using Unreal Engine.
Friday 9th : Finish building, explore presentation methods for digital artwork and share your creations with family and friends at our VIP closing event.
Please note: on Tuesday 6th the day will finish slightly later as we'll take a trip to QUAD (Derby City Centre) for a group dinner and to visit Passage to PlayLAND, two exciting interactive installations from the project's lead artist, John Whall.
How to register
The Creative Engineering Summer School is now fully booked. If you would like to join the reserve list or have any other inquiries, please contact Vikki Jones at vikki@uknewartists.co.uk
About
The project is a collaboration between UKNA and S.H.E.D (the Social Higher Education Depot), a spin-out company from the University of Derby, which engages the public with lifelong learning and teaching through creative industry and cultural practice. As a flatpack, mobile arts venue, S.H.E.D can adapt to multiple situations and designs, supporting diversity and bringing people together from a range of communities and disciplines.
