XR Research & Development Lab
DAS is excited to announce the launch of a new XR Lab. The Lab is aimed at artists and creatives who wish to learn, explore, and develop their creative practice using XR technologies regardless of their background or level of experience. We are currently inviting artists to register their interest in participating.
Extended reality (XR) is an umbrella term that includes augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR). Extended reality gives users an immersive experience through virtual, augmented or mixed environments, using audio and visual media. Through Research and Development, our XR Lab will help artists to experiment and advance their practice whilst gaining skills and confidence in working within the innovative field of XR. The XR Lab is an opportunity for you to enhance your understanding of immersive digital technologies and modes of production.
Participants will have access to the XR Lab and equipment in order to develop and experiment with various XR technologies. It will provide an opportunity to test, collaborate, share knowledge, and also gain access to artists, academics and industry professionals working within the field of XR through a dedicated series of talks, demonstrations and workshops.
Explorations may include: filming 360 video and ambisonic audio for virtual reality, creating virtual worlds, creating immersive projection rooms, spatial augmented reality, immersive audio experiences, green screen filming, audio/visual recording, digital drawing, animation and illustration. Our Lab will offer artists access to Apple & PC computers, iPad pro’s, a range of creative software, Meta Quest 3 headsets, GoProMax cameras, ambisonic microphones, Sony A7iv cameras, audio recorders, and a range of projectors.
The XR Lab is planned to run until December 2024 with an exhibition showcasing the ideas and work produced during the Lab in early 2025.
We are currently seeking artists to register their interest in participating in the XR Lab. Once we learn about your experience, expectations and availability, we will invite a core group of artists to participate fully in the Lab. This will involve regular commitment to Lab sessions between April and December 2024, with participation in a group exhibition showcasing the work produced throughout the project in January/February 2025. Artists should be willing to work collaboratively within the Lab and in a spirit of creative experimentation.
Artists who wish to access the lab on an ad hoc basis throughout the project may also register their interest using the same form.
We ask that participants become members of DAS in order to participate in the XR Lab and access its facilities. However, this is not a requirement at this stage in order to register your interest. We will invite artists to attend the XR launch on Friday 19th April, to view the equipment and resources that will be available to you before committing to DAS membership.
The XR Lab will launch officially on Friday 19th April at 1pm with a few words.
Everyone interested will be welcome to drop in as they please between 11am - 4pm, to view the equipment on offer, chat to other artists, and decide if you would like to become a member and participate.
For more information, please contact richard@digitalartsstudios.com or angela@digitalartsstudios.com.
This project is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Digital Evolution Programme for Organisations which has been match-funded by Future Screens NI. Thanks to National Lottery players and money raised for good causes.
