Paid opportunity for artists to participate in a Sci-fi & fantasy world-building research workshop with artist Libby Heaney
Dundee and Glasgow-based artists are invited to participate in a workshop delivered by artist and quantum physicist Libby Heaney and organised by NEoN Digital Arts in partnership with Transmission.
Libby Heaney will deliver a world-building workshop using sci-fi and fantasy speculation to imagine a quantum computing future. The artist will introduce the participants to her artistic practice and engage them in creative exercises to imagine the future impact of quantum computing.
Quantum computing is an emerging field of technology which strives to apply the laws of quantum mechanics to create very powerful computers which could solve problems too complex for classical computers. The artist describes it as scientists having learnt to build computers by using a “weird version of reality.”
Participants will get to speculate about the possible applications of quantum computing and consider future scenarios and the impact on society. Thinking about quantum technologies, timescale, plausibility and location, participants will respond to various prompts to collectively construct a world by working with techniques like comic-style worksheets, storyboarding, sketching, text and collage. Materials will be provided; you are also welcome and encouraged to bring your own if you wish. The motivation for this workshop is to explore how collaborative creative exercises and workshopping ideas can generate value by involving various audiences in the creative process.
Fee: Participating artists will receive a fee of £100 each. Participants travelling from Dundee will be reimbursed for their travel up to the amount of £20. We recommend Ember electric bus as the most sustainable option.
Book your place here
About the artist:
Libby Heaney is an artist and physicist with a PhD in Quantum Information Science from the University of Leeds and an MA in Art and Science from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. Her practice incorporates quantum computing, AI, VR and 3D modelling to critically examine power hierarchies, pluralities and interdependencies through the lens of new technologies. She often uses humour and satire in her work to subvert common perceptions within society. Heaney has exhibited widely in the UK and internationally, most recently for LAS (Berlin) and Arebyte (London). Her recent work Ent- was nominated for the S+T+ARTS Prize '22 and is longlisted for the Lumen Prize. Heaney is a resident at Somerset House Studios in London.
About the project:
The workshop is part of a new work by Libby Heaney commissioned by NEoN Digital Arts and Bilyana Palankasova as part of a collaborative PhD project at the University of Glasgow.
The workshop will be part of Bilyana Palankasova’s PhD research. It will be documented through field notes, video and audio recordings for the purposes of data collection, which requires consent from all participants. All personal information (names and emails) will be anonymised unless stated otherwise.
Before being able to take part in the workshop, every participant will need to send a signed consent form. Consent forms and a Participant Information Sheet will be emailed to you after signing up.
NEoN Digital Arts is committed to being as accessible as possible. We are looking to use spaces accessible to a wider community, in a central location, and on good bus routes. An accessibility guide for Transmission can be found here. Transmission has an accessible toilet. We have an Accessibility Officer at NEoN who is able to provide advice and support. Please let us know if you have any access requirements or questions related to accessibility at [email protected].
Snacks will be provided.
Places for this workshop are limited. If, for any reason, you cannot make it, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected] so we can fill your place.
