VESP#15 Zoom Through

National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate

Enthusiasts of architecture, archaeology, technology, music and art are invited to experience York’s heritage as never before!

Local artists and archaeologists have worked together to create a colourful virtual reality experience drawn from the stunning architecture of St Margaret’s Church on Walmgate. AOC Archaeology group has used laser-scanning technology to record millions of pin point measurements of St Margaret’s Church. This information will be transformed into a virtual reality journey that visitors can experience using smartphones and VR goggles.

4.00pm-5.00pm Family Workshop Session: An opportunity to use a variety of instruments including a ‘sound beam’ and an X-Box controller to control the light and sound in the church, transforming the space. Places for this session are free but limited – to register interest please email boxoffice@ncem.co.uk or call 01904 658338.

5.30pm-7.30pm Vespertine Event: Take an immersive digital journey and experience a sound installation that bring the church space and laser scans to life. Attendees will also get to try some sweet and savoury tasty snacks provided by Walmgate’s bike cafe Bicis Y Mas. This part of the event is drop in and there is no need to book. 

7.00pm Meet the Artists: An opportunity to learn more about the process of creating the VR experience and sound installation with a short explanation from artist Annabeth Robinson and musician Jez Wells.

About the Artists:

Annabeth Robinson

Annabeth is a filmmaker and interdisciplinary artist, predominantly working with digital tools and game technology to create interactive artworks and visuals for stage, gallery and screen. She if currently a Senior lecturer at Leeds College of Art, teaching across BA(Hons) Animation and MA Creative Practice. Her recent work involves collaboration with Devika Rao, dancer in residence at University of Leeds, developing visuals for the dance theater show Ya Devi, which toured India in Summer 2016. In the virtual world of Second Life she is known as Angrybeth Shortbread, where her work has been shown internationally including; ISEA Singapore 2008 & Belfast 2009, as part of the Kritical Project, and was commissioned by the Long Now Foundation to recreate Brian Eno’s 77 Million Paintings in Second Life, 2007. Her interest in game technology has also involved research into serious games for education, developing Virtual Training Games for School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, which has been shortlisted for a Times Higher Education Award 2016.

Jez Wells

Jez is an audio designer and engineer. A graduate of the University of Surrey’s Tonmeister program, he subsequently gained his PhD in creative sound transformation from the University of York where he is currently a lecturer in the Department of Music. He has previously worked for Digital Audio Research and Fairlight, as well as being a research associate in acoustics modelling in the Department of Electronics at York. He recently held an Ingenious Public Engagement Fellowship from the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has made recordings in a wide range of venues from Notre Dame in Paris to York Minster, as well as here at the National Centre for Early Music. As a DJ he has appeared at The Big Chill, Freakin’, Drop Beats not Bombs, Sightsonic and Festinho.

Partners: AOC Archaeology Group and National Centre for Early Music

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/576671692520714/