Keiken – Artist In Conversation and Q&A
Modal gallery
Wednesday 7th May 6pm – 8:30pm
Join Abandon Normal Devices and Keiken in conversation to explore empathetic collaboration and experimentation in radical connection through emergent technologies to culminate their artist residency at Modal gallery at The School of Digital Arts (SODA).
During their time at Modal gallery (22nd Apr — 7th May), Keiken will delve into themes of interconnectedness, perception, and immersion. Drawing from their expansive worldbuilding practice, Keiken will explore how relationships, energy, and sensory experience shape reality—both in digital and physical space. With a keen focus on exploring how we translate emotional and tactile perception into a virtual realm, Worldbuilding and the Nature of Reality will seek to deepen their research & development of an intimate, sensory-driven gaming experience.
This new work in development will form a key branch of their expansive worldbuilding project Morphogenic Angels, informed by their deep and ongoing connections to marginalised communities across Japan. Through an ongoing interest in sensory and perceptual understanding, Keiken will explore the creation of a gaming experience inspired by key collaborator and deaf-blind queer artist, Sakura Sky. This current inquiry seeks to bridge sensory and communication gaps with Sakura Sky whilst also fostering empathy, understanding, and direct interaction for players through innovative technology, made available through the resources provided during their residency at SODA.
Join us on Wednesday 7th May to hear Tanya Cruz and Hana Omari from Keiken discuss their working practise and developments during their time at SODA. The talk will be followed by a Q&A session.
Morphogenic Angels Chapter 1 will be available to play both before and after the talk.
6pm – 6:30pm – registration and complimentary refreshments
6:30pm – 7:30pm – Artist talk and Q&A
7:30pm – 8:30pm – play through of Morphogenic Angels
Worldbuilding and the Nature of Reality is part of Commons – a collaboration between Abandon Normal Devices (AND) and the School of Digital Arts (SODA). AND is supported with public funding from Arts Council England.
