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Walk This Way, Annabel McCourt and Adrian Riley

A cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence enabled artwork in St James’ Square Grimsby is a further demonstration as to how fixed public artworks are segueing into real-world participatory digital experiences.

For two-days, on Friday 12th August and Saturday 13th August, St James’ Square in Grimsby was the scene of an Artificial Intelligence enabled interactive public art installation.

Audiences were invited to walk, jump, wheel and dance their way across St James’ Square, under the watchful gaze of CCTV cameras. Pull shapes inspired by the Murmuration artwork and see how their moves are interpreted by Artificial Intelligence into text displayed in real time inspired by the Come Follow Me artwork.

Walk This Way has been created by Annabel McCourt and Adrian Riley, the artists behind public artworks created for St James’ Square in 2021, Murmuration and Come Follow Me, and co-created with visual artists that use software, programming and emerging technology, Rod Dickinson and Sarah Selby.

Drawing inspiration from the area and the people they meet there, the fixed public art works are rooted in community and their histories, research, strong visual imagery, creative use of language and font style.

Walk This Way bridges the gap between the physical and digital artwork, and tests new ways to involve and animate people in the place.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

 

About Annabel McCourt

Annabel McCourt is an international contemporary artist from Grimsby. Her work ranges from lens-based gritty social-realism, through to public & installation art, moving image and architectural interventions inspired by fact, folklore & legend.

About Adrian Riley

Adrian Riley is an award-winning artist-designer with over 30 years’ experience in graphic design and creating artworks for public spaces. His work involves creative use of text and lettering and can be seen across the North of England including Leeds, Hull and Newcastle.

About Rod Dickinson

Rod Dickinson is a visual artist using software, programming and emerging technologies. He is also a Senior Lecturer in Digital Media at the University of West England in Bristol and Co-Curator of the Bristol based digital art festival Control Shift.

About Sarah Selby

Sarah Selby is a visual artist who uses software, programming and emerging technology to explore digital culture, raising critical questions around its social, ethical and environmental implications. She is also a Lecturer in Creative Technology at Birmingham City University.

ABOUT THE COMMISSION

 

The public installation is part of Grimsby Creates Creative Programme and supported by Digital Democracies.

Funded by Cultural Development Fund (CDF), the Grimsby Creates Creative Programme will animate key town centre spaces and heritage assets, attracting new audiences to cultural activity and bringing international connections to Grimsby.

The CDF programme is funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and administered by Arts Council England. Supported by Digital Democracies.