Creating New Spaces: Interviews with artists redefining spaces through technology

Robin Petterd
  • 0.0 (0)
  • VISUAL ARTS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
Creating New Spaces: Interviews with artists redefining spaces through technology

Explore the practice of creating media art installations with the Creating New Spaces podcast. In each episode, the host Robin Petterd brings you interviews with artists who are pushing the boundaries of art and technology. The podcast focuses on the intricacies of media installation and art, revealing the creative and technical processes behind the scenes. Perfect for artists, students, educators, and anyone interested in experimental art practice. Listen to hear conversations that illuminate the processes and challenges of new ways of working.

  1. Art and science collaboration: Transforming environmental data into art with Nigel Helyer

    NOV 9

    Art and science collaboration: Transforming environmental data into art with Nigel Helyer

    In this interview, artist Nigel Helyer shares the creative and technical processes behind BioSphere | DataSphere, a series of works based on environmental data from the Tasman Fracture Marine Park.  The project is a collaborative research effort involving the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, the Australian Antarctic Division, and CSIRO. Based in Australia, Nigel is an internationally renowned sculptor and sound artist known for creating large-scale sound sculptures, environmental public artworks, and media installations that explore the intersection of poetics and technics. Working closely with scientists, Nigel transformed complex datasets—like sea temperatures, underwater sounds, and DNA sequences—into physical and auditory forms that reveal the hidden rhythms of the marine world. Listen to this episode to learn about: How Nigel translated scientific data into a range of sensory art forms, from 3D-printed sculptures to soundscapes. The unique challenges and insights of working in art-science collaboration. The role of art in making scientific data accessible and helping audiences engage emotionally with environmental issues. Highlights   (00:06:00) Art and Science collaboration in marine environmental projects (00:02:45) Transforming scientific data into art through 3D printing (00:09:15) Art and Science: finding utility and philosophical connection (00:10:51) Navigating collaboration  (00:15:55) Art and Science: a respectful division of creativity (00:21:23) Learning code to transform data into musical art (00:26:26) Building successful art-science collaborations through personal connections About Nigel Helyer    Nigel Helyer is an internationally acclaimed sculptor and sound artist based in Australia, known for creating immersive sound sculptures, environmental public artworks, and interactive media installations that connect art, science, and technology. His practice is deeply interdisciplinary, frequently collaborating with scientific institutions on projects that use bio-logging, GIS techniques, and acoustic mapping to transform complex data into sensory experiences.  With a career spanning groundbreaking works like GeneMusiK and Host, Nigel has served as Artistic Director for large-scale projects such as The LifeBoat Project and has collaborated with leading institutions like the Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland and the Tropical Marine Research Labs in Singapore. As a visiting professor at institutions worldwide, he contributes to the art-science field with a focus on innovative research and audience engagement Links from this interview with Nigel Helyer Visit Nigel Helyer’s website Discover more about BioSphere|DataSphere Learn more about the Tasman Fracture Marine Park Research Project Read about the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) in Hobart

    31 min
  2. Exploring visual harmonies through liquid screens with Bego M. Santiago

    OCT 12

    Exploring visual harmonies through liquid screens with Bego M. Santiago

    In this interview, artist Bego M. Santiago discusses the creative process behind her series Cosmos: All That is Ordered. Cosmos: All That is Ordered is a series of installations that blends sacred geometry, science, and spirituality, creating hypnotic and introspective experiences. Listen to this podcast to learn about: The conceptual development of Cosmos: All That is Ordered and its use of sacred geometry to blend science with spirituality. The influence of Pythagorean cosmology in Bego's work and how she uses it to explore the harmony between chaos and order. Why Bego decided to develop her work as an ongoing series of installations. How Bego approaches the challenges of working with liquid screens and achieving a holographic effect. Highlights (01:54) Bego provides an overview of Cosmos: All That is Ordered, describing its elements. (06:00) Bego discusses her inspirations for the series, focusing on sacred geometry and its significance. 10:34) Balancing the elements of chaos and harmony. (14:37) Bego explains the technical process of developing liquid screens and prototyping. (18:00) The importance of collaboration with experts in refining the installations. (20:45) How scholarly research and reading shaped the development of Cosmos. (24:12) Audience reactions to Bego's work. (27:50) The influence of Pythagorean philosophy and its connection to the themes explored in the series. (30:22) Bego shares the challenges and lessons learned from the project About Bego M. Santiago Bego M. Santiago is a visual artist born in Santiago de Compostela, working between Europe and the United States. Her practice spans various disciplines, from photography to scenography, with a focus on new media art and immersive installations. Bego's work investigates the boundaries between reality and representation, often through the use of light and holographic effects. Links from this interview with Bego M. Santiago Visit Bego M. Santiago's website Follow Bego M. Santiago on Instagram Watch COSMOS: All That is Ordered Explore FOLLOW THE PATH Learn more about MATHEMATICS OF GOD

    28 min
  3. Bridging nature and technology with Andrey Shibanov and Khristina Ots from SPLACES.STUDIO

    SEP 14

    Bridging nature and technology with Andrey Shibanov and Khristina Ots from SPLACES.STUDIO

    In this interview, Andrey Shibanov and Khristina Ots from SPLACES.STUDIO talk about the creative and technical processes behind the interactive sculpture "Megalith",  which transforms a stone into an immersive, responsive soundscape. SPLACES.STUDIO brings together artists, engineers, and scientists to collaborate on projects that combine light, sound, and natural elements, aiming to create sustainable, nature-inspired solutions. With a focus on innovation and environmental responsibility, their interdisciplinary approach leads to artworks that challenge traditional boundaries and encourage viewers to rethink their relationship with the natural world. Megalith invites participants to engage with a large stone through tactile interaction, using a network of sensors and neural networks that trigger sounds recorded in a forest. The sculpture blurs the line between the organic and the technological, evoking a deeper connection to nature by allowing viewers to "hear" the stone's environment. Listen to this podcast to learn about: The intricate artistic and technical development of Megalith, from harnessing piezoelectric microphones to using neural networks How SPLACES.STUDIO merges the digital and physical realms, using tactile interaction to create a deeper sensory connection with nature SPLACES.STUDIO's interdisciplinary approach, where artists, engineers, and scientists collaborate to create nature-inspired installations Highlights (02:23) Bridging nature and technology (14:37) Transforming stones into interactive sound art with neural networks (21:59) SPLACES.STUDIO: Integrating science and technology for real change (28:50) Advice on interactivity About Khristina Ots ​​Khristina Ots is an art and science curator, researcher, and educator at SPLACES.STUDIO. She leads the curatorial department at the Art & Science Center of ITMO University, focusing on nature-driven technologies and interdisciplinary collaborations. A co-founder of the ASTA Award, Khristina has curated over 15 exhibitions and produced more than 20 projects. Her work has been featured at events like Ars Electronica and the Wrong Biennale. Khristina's curatorial approach emphasises the intersection of art, technology, and environmental philosophy, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. About Andrey Shibanov Andrey Shibanov is the co-founder and creative producer of SPLACES.STUDIO and the founder and executive producer of COOLDOWN.PRO. He is an expert in modern editing and colour correction for cinema and advertising. Andrey has worked on commercials and music videos that have collectively garnered 560 million organic views. His work has earned recognition at international festivals, including Cannes Short Film Festival, Cannes Lions, and Manchester Film Festival. He has won numerous awards across both advertising and film industries. Links from the podcast Learn more about the Megalith Visit the SPLACES.STUDIO’s website  Follow SPLACES.STUDIO on Instagram

    32 min
  4. Crafting immersive spaces with Simon Burgin

    AUG 17

    Crafting immersive spaces with Simon Burgin

    Explore the intricate process of crafting immersive digital spaces with Simon Burgin. Simon Burgin creates immersive artworks and interactive installations featured in prominent venues such as The Lume in Melbourne and the National Museum of Australia. In this episode, Simon shares insights into his project, “Natures Store", an immersive moving image piece created using AI-aided photogrammetry to reimagine natural environments. "Natures Store" was featured as part of Immerse 2024, an event that breaks away from the traditional art gallery setting to share art in unexpected places across Knox, Melbourne, and Australia.    Listen to this podcast to learn about how: Simon combines AI-aided photogrammetry with tools like Unreal Engine and TouchDesigner to create detailed, immersive environments. Iterative development plays a crucial role in Simon's artistic process. The concept of immersion goes beyond scale, focusing on how art engages and transports the audience. Highlights (0:00:08) Exploring immersive art through digital and natural environments (0:04:58) Balancing art and design: iterative development and client needs (0:09:31) Exploring AI tools in art and commercial work (0:13:56) The challenges of knowing when to stop in creative work (0:16:41) Creating immersive art by prioritising audience experience About Simon Burgin Simon Burgin is a New Zealand-born digital artist and creative technologist. With 18 years of experience, he explores themes like environment and duality through contemporary media. Simon has developed immersive artworks for venues such as The Lume in Melbourne and WNDR Museum in Boston. His work includes interactive installations for public spaces like Stocklands 'Aura' and museum exhibits for the National Museum of Australia. Simon's projects also extend to brand activations for Nissan and BMW, as well as live A/V performances at events like Dark Mofo and Melbourne Music Week. Links from the podcast  Visit Simon Burgin’s website  Follow Simon Burgin on Instagram  Learn about Luma Dream Machine the AI-aided photogrammetry app Simon uses   Learn more about the space Simon created for The Lume Emergent Melbourne.   Learn more about The Lume

    23 min
  5. Making energy usage visible with Ali Phi

    JUL 20

    Making energy usage visible with Ali Phi

    Ever wondered about the environmental impact of your digital footprint? In this interview, Ali Phi discusses the creative process behind 'TWh (terawatt hours)'. 'TWh' is an installation that blends web technologies to explore the environmental impact of digital technologies. The installation was commissioned by the New Now Festival and exhibited at the Mixing Plant in Zollverein, an industrial coal mine complex and UNESCO heritage site in Essen, Germany. Listen to this podcast to learn about how: How Ali uses installations to visualise energy and highlight the ecological footprint of digital technology. How installation and performance have distinct possibilities and problems.  How Ali designs immersive experiences with multiple layers of audience interaction. Highlights (0:0:04) Exploring digital footprints through interactive art installations (0:4:16) The environmental impact of data storage and digital technologies (0:8:48) Art, technology, and social impact in Decompositions for computers (0:15:56) AI-driven interactive art and its environmental impact (0:17:13) Exploring AI and technology as tools for creative artworks (0:19:49) Creating 3D models and prototyping (0:24:12) Layers of audience experience in interactive art installations About Ali Phi Ali Phi, originally from Tehran and now based in Toronto, is a new media artist and creative technologist. His work intersects art, science, and technology through installations, autonomous machines, and performances. Focusing on the interplay between physical perception and cognitive exploration, Ali uses computer programming and generative algorithms to create interactive media that blend geometry, light, and poetry. As the artistic director of TADAEX, he has been a jury member, mentor, and lecturer. His work has been exhibited at Ars Electronica, Mutek (Montreal, Santiago, Buenos Aires), the Ontario Science Centre, Patchlab Digital Art Festival (Poland), and Asia Now: Paris Asian Art Fair. He has earned awards from the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and Toronto Arts Council. Links from the podcast  Learn more about the TWh Visit Ali Phil’s website  Follow Ali Phil on Instagram  Find out more about the Machine with Oil - Arthur Ganson Learn more about the New Now Festival

    30 min
  6. Creating immersive nature-inspired experiences with Joel Zika

    JUN 21

    Creating immersive nature-inspired experiences with Joel Zika

    In this interview Joel Zika talks about the creative process behind “Valley of a Thousand Plants”. “Valley of a Thousand Plants" is an immersive installation that surrounds audiences with hyper-real animated plant forms that react to visitors' proximity. The installation is hosted at the Cube at the Multi-Arts Pavilion in Lake Macquarie, NSW, a 360-degree immersive digital projection space. Joel Zika is a multimedia artist and educator currently teaching at Kent State University. He has a background in VR projects, documentaries, interactive animations, and public installations. During the interview Joel briefly discusses his PhD research on dark rides in amusement parks, exploring how the history of indoor ride design can inform contemporary media production.    Highlights (6:01) The social dynamics of amusement parks and digital experiences (8:55) Interactive art installations with sensor-activated plant animations (19:28) Creating interactive spaces with simple tech (29:08) Collaborative creativity About Joel Zika  Dr. Joel Zika is an immersive media expert with a Ph.D. from Swinburne University in Melbourne  He is currently teaching at Kent State University, where he continues to inspire the next generation of media artists. With over 15 years of experience, his work spans virtual reality films, documentaries, and public installations, showcased globally at venues like the Moss Arts Center and Dark Mofo. An educator at institutions such as Deakin and RMIT Universities, Zika also speaks at global events like South By Southwest. A key aspect of his research is the application of game engines for the location-based entertainment sector and virtual production. Links from the interview with Joel Zika    Learn more about the Valley of a 1000 plants Visit the  Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima website  Learn more about Collide Public Art Visit the Joel Zika website  Follow Joel Zika on Instagram

    33 min
  7. From idea to installation: Creating outdoor light art with Amalie Solande from Vertigo

    MAY 23

    From idea to installation: Creating outdoor light art with Amalie Solande from Vertigo

    Amalie Solande from Vertigo, a Copenhagen-based audiovisual artist collective, discusses their outdoor light installation, Siro, in this episode. The installation features a circle of large light tubes that change colour when approached by the audience, creating a magical and immersive experience. Amalie also shares insights into the collaborative process at Vertigo and the challenges they faced in creating the installation. Tune in to learn more about their unique approach to blending nature and technology in their art. Highlights (1:28) Interactive light installation transforms with audience proximity (4:09) Unveiling the magic of fairy rings in nature (5:01) Merging technology with nature (7:43) Crafting magical light installations for a winter festival (9:50) Integrating Sketchup and Touchdesigner for visual simulations (13:16) Diverse skill sets in a creative team (14:02) Collaborative dynamics in the team (16:46) Overcoming weather challenges in outdoor light installations (17:19) Risk assessment (19:21) Illuminating the wave: a transformative light and sound journey (20:36) Embracing fun in the challenges of light art About Vertigo Established in 2011, Vertigo is a Copenhagen-based audiovisual artist collective known for its inventive light installations, scenographies, and immersive experiences. Vertigo’s work often incorporates elements of nature and technology, creating a magical and contrasting experience for audiences. Vertigo's portfolio includes exhibitions at Copenhagen Contemporary, SNFCC in Athens, Centre Point in London, and many highly prestigious venues. The collective's success can be attributed to its members' unwavering dedication to their craft and shared vision. Collaborations with the Copenhagen Philharmonics, Den Sorte Skole, Who Killed Bambi, DR Symphonic Orchestra, Lil Lacy, and Hotel Pro Forma have expanded Vertigo's creative horizons. In 2023, the collective earned a Reumert Prize nomination for their work on Sky66en. Links from the podcast   - Learn more about  SHIRO - Visit the Vertigo website  - Follow Vertigo on Instagram   - Follow Amalie Solande on Instagram

    23 min
  8. The collaborative crafting of Motherboard with Vicky Browne and Simon Reece

    APR 7

    The collaborative crafting of Motherboard with Vicky Browne and Simon Reece

    This episode is an interview with artists Vicky Browne and Simon Reece about their innovative work, "Motherboard." Merging ceramics with technology, this piece invites viewers to experience interactive sculptures that emit varying tonal frequencies as they hold the objects. The piece was developed for a show called “Underground” that was held at the Blue Mountains Cultural centre from late 2023 to early 2024.    Vicky Browne, an interdisciplinary artist with a background in sculpture, and Simon Reece, a ceramic artist, both hail from the Blue Mountains, Australia.  The interview explores the audience’s response to the interaction, and the process of developing the piece and the importance of collaboration in their practice.  Highlights (0:02:04) Vicky describes the physicality of Motherboard and its interactive nature. (0:03:01) People at the exhibition interacted with the sculpture, creating nonverbal communication. (0:00:01) Simon discusses the importance of allowing space for creativity. (0:06:09) The importance of tactile response and the freedom to touch ceramics in the artwork. (0:07:00) Vicky and Simon’s focus on materiality and problem-solving in their collaborative process. (0:09:22) The unique aesthetic and combined strengths that arise from their collaboration. (0:12:40) Playing and problem-solving (0:13:12) Collaboration allows for new and unexpected work (0:14:29) Collaboration leads to making things they wouldn’t normally produce (0:15:27) Learning from each other’s different approaches (0:18:19) Technology embedded in our lives and materials (0:19:19) Greater respect for materials through technology (0:19:56) Exploring the interconnectedness of technology and materials (0:22:44) Allowing space for collaboration and being open to different ideas (0:23:52) Leaving ego at the door and effective communication About ​Vicky Browne ​Vicky Browne, an interdisciplinary mixed media artist from the Blue Mountains, NSW, completed her Master of Visual Art at Sydney College of the Arts in 2010. Her extensive exhibition history includes showcases at renowned venues like Artspace Sydney, Artspace Auckland, and Dunedin Public Art Gallery in New Zealand. Browne's participation in institutional group exhibitions, such as Living in the Ruins of the Twentieth Century at UTS Gallery and Sound Full at City Gallery Wellington, has bolstered her standing in the contemporary art sphere. Notable achievements include winning the 2013 Fauvette Loureiro Memorial Artists’ Travel Scholarship Prize. Browne's recent solo exhibition, Work/Play at Blue Mountains City Gallery in 2022, underscores her exploration of mixed media and interdisciplinary art, establishing her as a leading figure in Australian art. About Simon ReeceSimon Reece is a distinguished ceramic artist celebrated for his expertise and inventive approach to ceramics. Trained at The National Art School, he delved into ceramics in the early 1980s, refining his craft under expert tutelage. A pivotal moment came in 1985 when Reece journeyed to Japan, immersing himself in wood firing ceramics under master Uneo Norihide's guidance in Bizen. This transformative experience shaped Reece's unique aesthetic and profound understanding of ceramic art. Back in Australia, he became a journeyman potter, collaborating with peers and constructing wood kilns. Reece's diverse portfolio spans tableware for top chefs, environmental sculptures, and global workshops, solidifying his influence in contemporary ceramics Links from the interview and Vicky Browne and Simon Reece    Visit Vicky Browne’s website   Follow Vicky Browne’s on Instagram Read Vicky Browne’s article -  Sound is as much in the dirt as it is in the air Visit Simon Reece’s website Follow on Instagram Learn more about the Underground exhibition

    26 min
See All (18)

About

Explore the practice of creating media art installations with the Creating New Spaces podcast. In each episode, the host Robin Petterd brings you interviews with artists who are pushing the boundaries of art and technology. The podcast focuses on the intricacies of media installation and art, revealing the creative and technical processes behind the scenes. Perfect for artists, students, educators, and anyone interested in experimental art practice. Listen to hear conversations that illuminate the processes and challenges of new ways of working.

Information

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada