Nascent - Art & Technology Research projects: are transdisciplinary, involving collaborators from the disciplines art, design, architecture, performance, languages, computing, biological sciences and engineering technologies. Nascent explores the transformative potential of digital technology (hardware & software), both as a catalyst for the evolution of cultural forms and as a substrate for transdisciplinary research and innovation.

Nascent projects can be described as collaborative, experimental, practice-based and applied, and engage with intelligent environments, interactive art, ubiquitous computing, sonic architecture and the construction and dissemination of emergent ‘transmedia’ forms.

Nascent projects provide a rich context for research students who can either engage with these major projects or build their research activity in from their own practice. Individual research student projects can be found from the 'people' page of this site.

An archive of i-DAT projects can be found at: www.i-dat.org

Core Nascent funded and collaborative research projects include:

Immersive Vision:
Funded by the University of Plymouth’s Experiential Learning CETL (Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning), this research project explores the potential of real-time dynamic data representations (visual and acoustic) within Full Dome projection environments. Working with the University of Plymouth’s newly conversed William Day Planetarium, the 40 seat Immersive Vision Theatre (IVT) operates as a transdisciplinary instrument for the manifestation of material, immaterial and imaginary worlds.

The ‘Full Dome’ architecture now houses a powerful high-resolution projector fitted with a ‘fish eye’ lens to wrap data, models, video and images around its inner surface. A second, even higher resolution ultra-high contrast projector focuses an intensely detailed cutaway. The 10 speaker spatialised audio system enables the modeling of acoustic environments as well as playback through virtual speakers, ie more speakers than physically exist. The IVT is being used for a range of activities, from cross disciplinary teaching to cutting edge research in modelling and visualisation.

PhD: Pete Carss.

The LiquidPress:
http://www.liquidpress.net
The LiquidPress consolidates a series of new media publishing activities which explore the construction and dissemination of emergent media in the form of 'trans-media digital content'; 'liquid' media that can flow through a range of media forms, including: locativemedia, software, net.art, and broadcast media.

A key project for the LiquidPress is the development of the Liquid Reader: Liquid Reader is a collaborative research project between Performance Research Journal and i-DAT/Nascent. Its purpose is to research, develop and produce a digital and conceptual interface that integrates the documentation, analysis and dissemination of performance arts practices and processes. Liquid Reader explores the development of generative software that enables and configures new relationships between live and/ or documented performance and its 'readership', thereby opening up new possibilities for the interpretation, understanding and development of practice on the part of both academics and practitioners.

RA: Justin Roberts, Chris Saunders.

Arch-OS:
http://www.arch-os.com
Arch-OS represents an evolution in intelligent architecture, interactive art and ubiquitous computing. An 'Operating System' for contemporary architecture (Arch-OS, 'software for buildings') has been developed to manifest the life of a building and provide artists, engineers and scientists with a unique environment for developing transdisciplinary work and new public art. Arch-OS combines a rich mix of the physical and virtual by incorporating the technology of 'smart' buildings into new dynamic virtual architectures.

Arch-OS is being integrated into the i-500 [http://www.i-500.org/] project for Curtin University Minerals and Chemistry Precinct in Perth Australia. The i-500 project aim is to design and produce a sustainable, integrated, interactive art work from rich flows of research and general data generated through interaction in the new Curtin University Minerals and Chemistry Precinct buildings.. The i-500 project team are working in collaboration with Woods Bagot Architects, as part of the architects project team, to develop artworks for the Curtin University Minerals and Chemistry Research and Education Building.

RA: Justin Roberts.

Infinite-Infants:
Intrinsically linked with both of these projects the Infinite Infants project [in collaboration with Creative Partnerships, Hyde  Park Infants, Langley Community Infants and Woodford Infants School] provides a rich context to explore the pedagogic opportunities provided by telematic/networked learning and teaching environments/architectures at reception level. A funded research post will be required to develop tools and systems that enhance the learning environment and extend the technological systems developed through the collaboration.
http://www.infinite-infants.net/

PhD: Katina Hazelden

Image: [1] i-500 Project. iChat with Paul Thomas, Curtin University, Perth. [2] ‘read/write/fold’ Phillips M, Speed C, Montandon A, with Dent E. Performance Research Vol.9, No.2 ‘On the Page’ (2004). [3] Arch-OS logo: Operating System for buildings. [4] Infinite Infants telematic learning spaces.