French Ambassador visits AUT Colab
There’ll be more French digital artists-in-residence at AUT, after the university and the French Ambassador signed a Memorandum of Understanding about the newly established programme.
The French embassy approached AUT earlier this year to co-host a French Creative Technologists residency programme and build stronger research linkages between New Zealand and France.
AUT accepted, and two digital artists - Marion Pinaffo and Raphael Pluvinage - are currently working in Colab on developing creative works using printed conductive inks.
They met with the French Ambassador Mrs Florence Jeanblanc-Risler on Tuesday last week when she visited the university to sign the MOU.
Marion and Raphael explained that they like to make interactive art that explains how electronic processes work and want to use conductive ink to make installations as well as educational children’s books.
They explained that they have been working with AUT students explaining what they do.
They also told the Ambassador that the facilities at AUT, like the screen printing and laser cutting labs, are far superior to the ones they use in France.
Colab’s Co-director Frances Joseph showed Mrs Jeanblanc-Risler around Colab and explained the purpose of the unit.
She says the MOU will see Colab host French digital artists -in-residence for at least another two years.
Dr Joseph says the residency is great for AUT. “France is a world leader in digital and interactive art whereas New Zealand has been more conservative in embracing these contemporary art forms. They have huge potential for communicating science and technology as well as offering relevant and current artistic experiences.”
The application process is currently underway for next year’s residency.