Tara Pattenden.
Griffith University Art Museum
Grey Street Gallery
Artist Statement
Rough and Squishy presents interactive exploratory materials research created in the early stages of Tara Pattenden’s PhD project – Crafting Sonic Expression – that combines wearable technologies with sonic participatory practices to explore different possibilities for creative co-collaborative participatory works. The work generates material knowledge through methods such as absurd making and public making to generate divergent ideas and disrupt notions of technologies for critical reflection. By exploring materials such as custom hardware, software, e-textiles and crafts, Rough and Squishy explores how perceived notions of technology can create enchantment and play within participatory sonic art.
About the artists
Tara Pattenden is an artist and creative technologist working with tactile electronic instruments, programming, time based media and performance. She is the founder of Cyber Palace, a studio for creative technology workshops and Cyber Bunker, a project space for experimental practice in Meanjin. Tara is a PhD candidate at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, her project combines wearables with participatory practices to discover how costume-based, audience-worn instruments – with visually impactful and intuitive electronic interfaces – can enhance engagement and expression for coauthored audience engagement during participatory sound works. She has delivered workshops internationally including: Norberg Festival (SE); Onassis Stegi Cultural Centre (GR); and Victoria & Albert Museum (UK). Performance highlights include: Milhoes de Festa (PT); Cafe Oto (UK); Pohoda Festival(SK); Tectonics (UK); CTM (DE); and Le Guess Who Festival(NL).
Credits: Tara Pattenden