Overview  The UKRI Net Zero Digital Research Infrastructure Scoping Project has commissioned artist Paul Millhouse-Smith to deliver a large-scale art-work in response to the core ambitions - and challenges - associated with the net zero agenda. The final piece will inspire collective action and stimulate conversations surrounding the transition to net zero digital research infrastructure (DRI). 

As part of this commission, Paul is facilitating four creative workshops in January and February to gather information that will inspire his final artwork.  Register your interest using this form to join one of the creative workshops. 

About the workshops

Each workshop invites participants to reflect on their own experiences of and attitudes towards the rapidly changing landscape within digital research. By identifying what it is that we hold dear, or would fear losing, the workshop aims to distil what we might sacrifice and the rituals we might cultivate in order to adapt to the new constraints climate change presents.

Decarbonising the digital research infrastructure will require a reassessment of existing habits, values and methodologies across the research community. Using a variety of techniques including observational drawing, mark making and collage we will think about the impressions we make and the legacy that we leave behind. Throughout the workshop participants are encouraged to draw on existing or speculative contributions to the wider project, and to contribute to lively and open discussion.

At the workshop

Each workshop will be ~ 3 hours, held online on Zoom. There are 4 different dates (all UK time), you only need to attend one date:

- Friday 27 January 1-4pm 

- Monday 30 January 1-4pm 

- Friday 3 February 10am-1pm 

- Tuesday 7 February 10am-1pm 

Note: if you are unable to attend these dates, there will be an opportunity to complete some of the creative exercises ‘offline’ in your own time. Complete the registration form and indicate you would like to complete the exercises on your own.

Please note that as these are participatory workshops, you will be expected to fully engage in activities and discussions. Be prepared to think broadly, ask questions and participate in conversations between people with different perspectives. 

Make sure you have essential materials including: any drawing materials or mark making equipment can be used, at a minimum paper, pencils and pens. However if individuals wish to engage more with their own art supplies this is highly encouraged. 

After the workshop 

This creative process aims to translate the technical and critical decision making around the work that we do within data intensive research with respect to the net zero agenda, into narratives depicted in physical and digital art-works. 

Paul will be working with cutting-edge 3D ceramic printing technology to construct six, 1 metre high vessels. Using clay for this commission responds to the central theme of sustainability, and owing to its material properties clay acts as a metaphor for lasting change; the change that is required for reaching net zero digital research infrastructure.

The physical works will be decorated in response to the outputs of these workshops, reflecting perspectives on the DRI net zero transformation arising from the research community. In a time of fragility, we are all forced to consider what we hold sacred. 

Your input will be used to shape and create Paul’s final art piece. This will be launched in Spring/Summer 2023 - both online and in a physical gallery space in Coventry at the Reel Store, the UK’s first permanent digital art gallery. 

The purpose of the art piece is to inspire collective action on sustainable digital research infrastructure - and raise awareness about the wider project. 

Who can join 

- Anyone involved with undertaking research or supporting research, particularly if you have an interest in digital research infrastructure and net zero 

- Any career stage 

- Any research area 

These workshops are open to a wide range of people, as we want to bring as many different perspectives together as possible. 

About the artist

Paul Millhouse-Smith is a multi-disciplinary artist and technologist based in Leeds, where he is part of Assembly House studios. Within his creative practice Paul has collaborated with artists, scientists and local communities to produce installations, film and sculpture in service of storytelling, the exploration of our relationship with the past, and with new technologies.

Previous projects include: 

- ‘Easter Rising: Voice of a Rebel’, a historical VR experience - part documentary, part virtual theatre - created in partnership with Dan Tucker at the BBC. The project toured to locations around the UK including the National Theatre, South Bank Centre (London), Sheffield Doc Fest and Watershed (Bristol);

- a climate data visualisation in partnership with artist Alison Smith and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, using climatologist Ed Hawkin’s warming stripes to create an immersive overhead canopy which ‘walks’ the audience through 170 years of climate data. The installation was displayed at Light Night Leeds and then went on to be installed at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow; 

- and most recently developing additive manufacturing facilities using 3D ceramic printing at East Street Arts with maker Matt Collins, and artists Jonathan Keep and Josef Stöger.

About this project, Paul makes this observation:

“At the cusp of the fifth industrial revolution, we are all being forced to consider our roles within society and how what we create might affect the future of our planet. From designers and makers to researchers and scientists, the digital revolution has given us all tremendous power to form the world around us. It is now that we are faced with the challenges of changing our behaviour that we must make critical decisions around the work we do.” Find out more about the commission.