S.H.E.D launch research event

Principle Investigator Dr Rhiannon Jones created a S.H.E.D panel and launch event as a research-generation activity in order to address the question ‘how does artistic research engage or engineer alternative sites for practice?’ Panelists were invited to discuss this question alongside Jones and with a live audience of key stakeholders, public and artists, researchers and industry to galvanise the initial concept and reflect on the design process ahead of piloting S.H.E.D and placing the live research process into the public domain. The panel members discussed the impact that mobile projects have on cultural, social and political discourse on placemaking for cities. Reference was made to the thinking of Ezio Manzini (2019), Marc Auge (2006) and Grant Kester (2009) and the role of art in the public realm and notions of placemaking, see Cara Courage (2018). This research-generation event also provided an opportunity to reflect on the ambitions for S.H.E.D to be a literal and metaphorical vehicle for the transformation of dialogue. Alongside the panel Jones invited CAMEo from the University of Leicester to present their initial findings for the first time about ‘How it takes a Region to Raise an Artist’. This work supported by CVAN was presented exclusively by Dr Antoinette Burchill who shared the findings with this key group of individuals in attendance who would feed into this dissemination process. The findings of this research undertaken by CAMEo provided an important contextual framework on the timely application of the research enquiry being undertaken through S.H.E.D. and for Jones’ ambitions for S.H.E.D to engage with others through its use as a mobile research incubation space, public venue and mobile arts space. Panelists: Professor Alex Nunn, University of Derby; Dr Vishalakshi Roy, Centre for Cultural & Media Policy Studies, University of Warwick; Ben Anderson, Creative Producer, In Good Company; Dr Rhiannon Jones, University of Derby; Rebecca Beinart, Engagement Curator for Primary & artist, Nottingham; Dr Victoria Barker, University of Derby; Dr. Nick Owen MBE, CEO The Mighty Creatives; Chaired by: Dr Michael Pinchbeck, University of Lincoln. It was the first public showcasing of the S.H.E.D and PODS with over 100 members of the public in attendance at the launch event, from academia, cultural sector, industry and the independent arts sector. The panel was followed by a series of live works presented on S.H.E.D music (Chloe Rogers), performance reading by (actor Hayley Doherty) and digital projection works (Marc Bosward). Attendees came from a range of cities including: Sheffield, Manchester, London, Nottingham, Derby, Lincoln, Mansfield. There was also opportunity at the event to reflect on the build process, panel discussion and future scoping for research and development. It brought together academics, researchers, industry partners, funders and students who had worked on the project with lead principal investigator Dr Rhiannon Jones. Partners: Big House2, In Good Company, Derby County Community Trust, Cultural Campus, Primary. Dr Nick Owen MBE, CEO of The Mighty Creatives: “This is a fascinating project because it’s going to enable local communities, in the strangest of places, to engage with artists in the strangest of ways. We’re going to find out a lot about those communities and those places in ways we’ve not anticipated.”

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