A residency programme has been a key part of Abandon Normal Devices since it was founded in 2009, providing artists with a test bed for new work as well as giving them the opportunity to collaborate with organisations such as the Forestry Commission, British Waterways and DaDa (Disability and Deaf Arts).
During August and September 2011 artists Kathy Hinde and Matthew Olden will climbed aboard their floating audiovisual research vehicle (read: canal boat) and embarked on a grand exploration of the Northwest’s waterways. Embracing new and old technology, the artists will constructed a water wheel to gauge their speed and use GPS technology to track their progress. This journey data was be fed into a praxinoscope and a digital music sequencer, an audio-visual ‘machine’ that will spark to life as the boat begins to move.
While resident on the canals, Kathy and Matthew made a number of stops on route for workshops, demonstrating their findings, playing compositions and inviting people to make their own musical maps. This residency-cum-adventure culminate at Liverpool’s Albert Dock on Sunday 2nd October, when the public where invited aboard the boat for a series of audiovisual performances.
Kathy and Matthew's kept a detailed blog of their residency, which you can check out here on their blog 'The Olden Hinde'.
They also made a beautiful time-lapse video documenting their entire trip
This programme was developed in partnership with British Waterways and The Waterways Trust, and part of Rochdale Canal Festival.