Me, Myself and MRI Project Launch - Preview

Today was the launch of the MRI Exhibition at the National Science Learning Centre in York. The morning was spent doing final tweaks to the audio and video tracks, setting levels and then tidying up.

In the afternoon the group we've been working with from Archbishop Holgate's School came in for a preview before the evenings official launch. General impressions were good and there was some interesting feedback about the layout of the pieces. We also had a discussion about how the interactivity worked (see photo), which involved me showing them the Apollo Ensemble map that is running each piece. They very quickly grasped how the Map was put together and how Apollo Designer works - in fact they were questioning why it took me so long to get the exhibition sorted out!

The exhibition map uses some new blocks that will be in version two of the software released later in the year. This includes video and still image triggering, automated faders and mapping blocks. I hope to be writing a detailed explanation of the technical side of the project for the Me, Myself and MRI website later in the year.

In the meantime the exhibition will be giving a really thorough test of the Apollo Runner and the new blocks as it runs the six pieces over the next few months. If you want to catch the exhibition then see the main project website for tour details.

Getting A-Head in Art

An arresting new interactive exhibition exploring the boundaries between art and science, and powered by Apollo technology, opens on Tuesday 24th February at the National Science Learning Centre, York.

MRI Brain Scan

Me, Myself and MRI uses photography, video, sound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data to create complete portraits of a series of individuals. By interacting with the exhibition you can explore many of the facets of the individuals portrayed. This exciting multi-media exhibition has been created by York-based arts partnership Geodesic Arts, working in unique collaboration with Archbishop Holgate’s School York and York Neuroimaging Centre, and is funded by the Wellcome Trust and Arts Council England. It will tour to regional venues in 2009.

The culmination of a year long project, this exhibition uses photography, sound and video as well as contemporary neuroimaging technology. The subjects were chosen by Year 9 pupils from Archbishop Holgate’s School who decided to concentrate on capturing a comprehensive look at some of the very different people who make up society.

Tajinder, one of the subjects in the exhibition

The final six subjects were a nurse, a chaplain, a playwright, a kick-boxing champion, a TV journalist and a scientist. They sat for photographic portraits and took part in video and audio interviews, as well as undertaking an MRI brain scan.

The resulting data and footage has been transformed into a series of digital portraits that provide a unique representation of each of the subjects, giving a more detailed insight into what makes them all individual. MRI scans as well as being essential diagnostic tools also produce beautiful images and highlight features that are unique to each individual.

The project team has been working with Year 9 pupils from Archbishop Holgate’s School since the beginning of last year. James Evans, Head of Science, explains why the school got involved. “It is an exciting, collaborative project that has engaged the pupils, teachers and outside agencies. It is an opportunity to celebrate the exciting developments in science, explore the ethical issues raised and marry them with the creativity and expression of art.”  He believes that the project has made a lasting impression on the pupils. “To experience the ‘wow’ factor of science with inspirational people, to make links with many facets of the curriculum, to be engaged by science and express through art, ICT and media is priceless.”

As well as learning about creative digital technology, the pupils have been exploring the development of contemporary neuroimaging techniques such as MRI and MEG and the science behind them. Staff at York Neuroimaging Centre have been acting as scientific advisors to the project, explaining how modern-day techniques have developed, investigating ethical issues surrounding these techniques and carrying out MRI scans on the people selected to take part in the project. This is a chance to experience contemporary science firsthand, as Elliot Crowe, a Year 9 pupil points out. “I thought it would be something new and exciting to try. It’s not very often you get an opportunity to do something like this.”

The pupils have also found out about the development of portraiture as an art form and the links between science and the arts as they worked with an art historian to discover how art and science together can help us make sense of the world around us. As Francesca Smith, a pupil taking part in the work says, “I like this project – it’s different because we’re doing art and science together.”

"This innovative project will enable young people to develop an understanding of the science behind MRI scans," explains Clare Matterson, Wellcome Trust Director of Medicine, Society and History. "By engaging in a creative and accessible way with science and technology, they will explore ideas about the individual and self from scientific and cultural perspectives."

Work on the project started in January 2008 and the final exhibition will launch at the National Science Learning Centre on the 24th February before touring to Impressions Gallery, Bradford in April 2009. The project forms part of the year-round community and education programme of SightSonic, York’s International Festival of Digital Arts.

Interactive Lectures

I returned to Scarborough today to give a follow up to my regular Interactive Technology lecture on the Creative Music Technology course. This time I've been talking to the students about pitching for work and working as a team. Rather than just talk at the students, we set them the task of pitching some ideas back at me. They had to work in groups to come up with an idea for an interactive exhibit or display for International Brain Awareness Week

The groups only had a couple of hours, but came up with some really good ideas. The best part will be in March when I go back and they have to have actually built the exhibits. Glad I'm not them...!

MRI Project approaches launch

The MRI Project I've been working on for the past couple of years is finally reaching completion, with the launch only a few weeks off. Today we moved the exhibition pieces to the first launch venue and started setting everything up.

You can follow the progress in detail on the Geodesic Arts blog.

MRI Project tests

Mark, Ben and Damian review a portrait

Today was a technical rehearsal of sorts for the MRI Project (http://geodesicarts-mri.blogspot.com/). It was the first time we had more than just the single prototype exhibition piece setup and running in one space. Each unit consists of a 32" screen, with a small PC together with a custom Apollo Ensemble unit and the development version of the new Apollo Ensemble software.

The exciting thing about this exhibition is that it is pushing forward the development of the Apollo Ensemble software. We've added quite a few new features which will be released as an upgrade later in the year. The main one is the ability to trigger and control video and still image. The requirements of this project mean that the software is getting a really good, real world testing - with a nice tight deadline to hit. The exhibition launches in late February!