Groundbreaking Arts Collaboration

[Tamir Azaz]

Groundbreaking Arts Collaboration 


EOS, The Common Sense and Warwick Arts Centre invite responses from 
individuals / groups  to participate in the development of 'The Sense 
Series', a groundbreaking collaboration between arts, science, technology
and education.

'The Sense Series': five new music-theatre pieces for children and family 
audiences. The series will combine interactive media, contemporary 
classical music, theatre, dance and video to explore and celebrate the 
intriguing and dynamic world of the five human senses. 

WANTED IMMEDIATELY:  Researcher for preliminary feasibility study. 
Outline of project and researcher requirements are shown  below and can 
also be viewed on the WWW at:

http://www.c-sense.uk.com/senses/study.htm

ALL EMAIL RESPONSES SHOULD BE SENT TO: orit at c-sense.uk.com


THE SENSE SERIES 
----------------

A Collaboration between Eos, The Common Sense and Warwick Arts Centre

Research Project: Background & Outline
======================================


Summary of "The Sense Series" Project
-------------------------------------

The development and production of five new music theatre pieces for 
children and family audiences. Each piece uses a combination of media: 
music, theatre, dance, video to explore and celebrate one of the five 
senses in an interactive environment. The series will be developed piece 
by piece through a participatory process with and for young people, in 
collaboration with Warwick Arts Centre. The end result will be a full 
length programme of new music theatre for children which can be toured 
nationally and internationally. 


Background
----------

The first piece in the series was commissioned by Eos / South Bank. 
The Ballad of Bulbous Sniff, which used music and visual theatre to 
explore smell, was premiered to great acclaim at the Purcell Room in 
October 1994, in a traditional studio theatre production. EOS and The 
Common Sense have further developed the Sense Series concept towards a 
more interactive, installation based performance with greater emphasis 
on participation and involvement of young people in both the creative 
process and the performance of each piece. 

Through on-going dialogue with Warwick Arts Centre, the collaborators 
have identified several potential cross-over points with leading edge 
technology / new media research and development, both in academic and 
commercial contexts. For example: VR research and development; sensory 
simulation for people with special needs, interactive infotainment, 
CD ROM / electronic publishing and interactive immersive experience. 
The areas of potential overlap are wide-ranging: from creative and/or 
commercial partnership to common research ground to work-experience for 
students. But there is a unique opportunity to expand the scope of the
project. 
The Sense Series has the potential to become a thoroughly groundbreaking 
interdisciplinary collaboration between arts, science and new technology. 

The key collaborators are interested to develop this potential and to pin 
down the possibilities through a preliminary research / feasibility study. 

RESEARCH / FEASIBILITY STUDY

Broad Aims
-----------

* To research the possible areas of overlap in science, industry and 
  entertainment technology 

* To assess the implications for funding / realisation of The Sense 
  Series project

Specific Objectives
-------------------

* To research relevant work being done, in academic and commercial 
  contexts, in the UK and Europe, including the following areas: 
	- Virtual Reality (VR) 
	- CD ROM / Electronic Publishing 
	- Interactive Arts / Entertainment Technology

*To understand the areas of potential overlap and therefore the possible 
role of such organisations within The Sense Series project eg sponsor in 
cash or kind, creative participant, training etc. 

* To assess the interest of relevant organisations in participating in a 
  mixed media, arts based project for young people exploring the world 

  of the senses. In particular, the possibility of involving children 
  with special needs. 

* To assess the possible framework of the project in terms of potential 
  partners/collaborators ie to recommend the nature and structure of their 
  involvement at each stage and level 

* To provide information about the financial implications and options in 
  terms of potential partner / collaborators, in the context of arts 
  funding structures and deadlines 


Research Process
----------------

* To understand fully the nature of the project itself

* To establish, with the collaborators, a framework for the research 
  project: possible areas of overlapping interest and key 
  contacts/starting points. 

* To gather data on the relevant areas through contacts and internet 
  research 
* To make preliminary contact with organisations of interest 

* To understand what their interest and commitment might be in real terms 

* To talk to relevant university departments and to representative 
  schools 

* To provide a report summarising the research findings and recommending 
  structures for the project, in the context of arts funding structures 
  and deadlines 

Research Person
===============

Essential Qualities
-------------------

* Passion for, and understanding of, The Sense Series project and its 
  potential scope 

* Commitment to the aims of The Sense Series project 

* Broad-based knowledge and understanding of new and emerging technologies 

* Broad-based knowledge of public (arts) funding structures 

* Broad-based knowledge of interactive arts and entertainment 

* Experience in electronic research and access to the internet 

* Ability to communicate the project to potential partner organisations 

* Ability to talk to people from a variety of different disciplines, 
  including academics and school teachers 

* Ability to communicate with the key collaborators 

* Understanding of appropriate confidentiality 


Additional Experience
----------------------

* In addition to the above general interests, abilities and knowledge, 
  the successful candidate should have proven expertise in one of the 
  following:

* Specific knowledge of and contacts in new and emerging technologies

* Specific knowledge of public funding structures for interdisciplinary 
  projects 

* Specific knowledge of educational work for young people


Timetable
==========

* Research Person to be appointed by 24th February 1997. 

* Research to be carried out in Feb / March 1997 

* Report / recommendations to be submitted by 24th March 1997 



Fee
====

* To be negotiated but in the region of £1,500 

Application
============

By 17th February 1997. A CV and letter summarising suitability should be 
sent to either: 

Alan Rivett				Orit Azaz
Deputy Director				Artistic Director
Warwick Arts Centre			The Common Sense
University of Warwick			Email: orit at c-sense.uk.com
Coventry CV4 7AL
Tel: 01203 523734