{CODE Creatives}

An Idea to Feed into a PARC NorthWest AHRC Skills Development Bid

Lewis Sykes - October 11 Area & Theme

Design: Digital Transformations The project intends to interrogate the emerging use of coded design methodologies within interdisciplinary art practice and build a shared platform for the exploration of previously inaccessible design terrain. In doing so it will meet AHRC ambitions to exploit the potential of digital technologies to transform research in the arts and humanities - to develop new ways of working to enhance access, communication and creativity in a digital age.

Overview
The now ubiquitous use of computers in all aspects of the creative industries has ignited a burgeoning interest in computer languages and handcrafted code. Formerly the sole domain of computer scientists, computation is now being leveraged by a wide range of disciplines for creative exploration - from design to architecture, art to engineering and music to photography. Open-source coding initiatives such as Processing, Pure Data and openFrameworks have been instrumental in introducing computer programming to creative disciplines via accessible coding environments. But perhaps more importantly, they have also grown an extremely knowledgerich global community of users who integrate code into their practice and enthusiastically share their expertise, facilitating a distinctly progressive field of research. This ability to operate beyond the limits of conventional software is allowing creative practitioners to explore entirely new territories for design - such as the construction of extremely complex compositions, subtle and inventive human-computer interactions and novel spatial and temporal experiences. However, this research is still very much in its infancy and requires critical inter-disciplinary discourse and collaboration to harness its vast potential for creative practice. The increasing use of code raises intriguing questions about the evolving nature of artistic methodology. Does coding offer an unprecedented inter-disciplinary conduit for creative exchange? If the computer is a meta-tool - a tool that makes tools - is coding a new form of custom tool making? Can code be seen as an emerging creative writing medium? Is there a poetics of code? Is the makers signature embedded within the code they write? Where does the authorship in a work driven by code lie - with the computer programme that generates it or with the coder who designed the system? What becomes of the artistic paradigm of the unique artifact or the commercial commidification of the distinct product in code based work, which can generate infinitely variable outputs?

Shared Themes
Since the application of code is so wide ranging {CODE Creatives} proposes a series of shared themes for inter-disciplinary research: natural systems audiovisualisation intuitive interactions temporal media

 spatial forms augmented reality virtual worlds

Programme
Phase 1 - within 6 months {CODE Creatives} will initially focus on building a network of practitioners across the PARC NorthWest Consortium who use code as part of their practice. An opening series of informal presentation and networking sessions will identify shared areas of interest, known resources and collective and individual training needs. Concurrently well identify relevant new training opportunities: selecting from the programmes of academic and creative centres of excellence such as the Eyebeam Art & Technology Centre, New York - http://www.eyebeam.org; linking into existing communities and networks and filtering for appropriate placements, internships and secondments; supporting consortium researchers in taking part in these short-term overseas opportunities and study visits. Through this activity we plan to build a collective agenda, shared network and the beginnings of a distinct profile within the international creative coding community via a {CODE Creatives} website and online resource. Phase 2 - within 6-18 months While Phase 1 activity will continue to evolve Phase 2 plans for two allied proactive projects: Coder-In-Residence - an open call and selection process to appoint an experienced PARC NorthWest Coder-In-Residence for a three-month, part-time placement. The idea draws on the long established tradition of allowing visiting artists to apply singular focus to their art practice. Apart from their own work a PARC NorthWest Coder-In-Residence will provide: a hands-on resource for Consortium researchers to help them realise personal creative coding projects; input into in-house training and practical labs; outreach within the wider creative community; and curatorial input into the planning of the festival. {CODE Creatives} Festival - a two-day celebratory festival exploring current themes in creative coding. With input from a range of notable practitioners working in the academic, arts, entertainment and creative commercial sectors as well as an Open Call for Contributions the programme will incorporate a symposium, exhibition of interactive installations and screen-based artworks, screenings of experimental film and animation, live showcases and performance and hand-on practical workshops. It will serve as a culmination of the projects development, a snapshot of latest development in the field and a prototype for future concerted initiatives. Delivering a festival that contributes towards the creative and cultural life of the region will develop relationships with other organisations and businesses and provide opportunities for students and ECRs to translate their work into non-academic environments.