UAL Post-Grad Community presents: SURGE (virtual exhibition)
- Written byPost-Grad Community
- Published date 26 July 2021
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SURGE is a cross-disciplinary project born from the collaboration between the Post-Grad Community at University of the Arts London (UAL), the University College of London (UCL) and the Wellcome /EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences (WEISS).
SURGE brought together postgraduate artists at UAL and healthcare technology researchers at UCL to create new spaces of consideration for the role of data in health, as well as for the public, ethical and societal effects of surgical technologies.
In procuring the creation of new and inclusive work, the artists and researchers actively engaged with members of the public throughout, an important barrier to overcome in light of the COVID 19 pandemic.
The outcomes produced as part of the project include 3D prototypes, speculative research, creative support platforms and immersive virtual experiences, evidencing the strength and urgency of collaboration between the creative and the scientific field. As a way to showcase the work produced, SURGE has been transposed to a virtual exhibition, which will be open to the public until the 10th December 2021.
The SURGE exhibition extends across two main virtual rooms, touring through the work of the collaborative projects displayed here.
The first room showcases REHAP, a design concept and prototype developed by Janet Choi (UAL) and Tijana Vojinovic (UCL).
In a speculative manner, REHAP aims to point towards innovation in assistive rehabilitation alternatives for stroke patients. It presents a solution for aiding with strength training and synchronisation by implementing the use of a prosthetic device that targets the affected half of the patient’s body.
Visitors can glimpse into the research and creative process behind the building of REHAP, as well as engage with a demonstration video and 3D model of the piece.
Moving to the second room, we encounter OpUS, a multi-channel project developed by Priya Odedra (UAL) and Dr. Richard Colchester (UCL).
“How can art and interactivity bring together people from different backgrounds in the context of new technologies in healthcare?”
This seems to be driving question for the partnership which then takes us through their creative journey and project development. At the core of OpUS is an interactive virtual experience developed by creative technologist Karoline Winzer (UAL), aiming to educate on imaging probe technology.
The reach of the project, however, extends way beyond this virtual experience, and perhaps even beyond SURGE.
The partnership also presents us OpUS Creative Exchange; an inspiring exchange and research exercise which supported the development of their project, but which aspires to become a platform for shaping a more inclusive interconnected research and healthcare landscape.
The exhibition can be accessed here.
Here is a quick video walk through:
SURGE was developed with the support of Simon Watt and Dan Taylor from WEISS Public Engagement Team, Abigail Fletcher and Rachael Lakhan from UAL Post-Grad Community Team and Joana Nunes, UAL Post-Grad Community Ambassador and designer for the online SURGE exhibition space.
Post-Grad Community at UAL
UAL is home to more than 2,400 postgraduate students working across the fields of art, design, screen, communication, fashion, media and performance. Within our six world-renowned colleges, we aim to form a creative network of artists, designers and innovators.
Post-Grad Community is an inclusive platform for UAL postgraduate students to share work, find opportunities and connect with other creatives within the University and beyond.