Impossible Perspectives Lab

Impossible Perspectives Lab is a unique XR (extended realities) residential talent development programme for UK-based artists.

The programme is inspired by Tatton Park’s landscape, a large heritage attraction in Cheshire, and the works of Italian painter Canaletto, whose paintings and drawings form part of the property’s archive collection. Canaletto’s works are renowned for their immersive qualities of imaginary architectural views (referred to as capricci), creating ‘impossible perspectives’ considered to be fledgling versions of current virtual reality.

Through an open review process, by partners and external assessor Tendai John Mutambu, a group of emerging UK-based artists working across varied disciplines were selected from an open call for this exciting development opportunity. 

Selected Artists:

Baff Akoto
Thomas Buckley
Angela YT Chan
enorê
Kialy Tihngang

The week long programme, delivered by AND in collaboration with experts, artists and technologists from SODA (School of Digital Arts, Manchester Metropolitan University) Labs and HTC, will offer a supportive space for sharing, learning and expanding selected artists’ practices in scale and technologies of production, such as augmented, virtual, and mixed reality technologies (XR). The programme will support the artists to consider: How can new technologies of seeing allow us to question landscapes, histories and architecture in the present? How can augmented realities challenge and excite public experiences of collections? How can art change our perspectives on power, wealth and histories?

Established contemporary artists and leading sector experts will offer inspiring and practical guidance, workshops and professional development throughout the residency.Speakers include leading artists, researchers and technologists working with XR artforms: Chiara Passa, Davide Rapp, ​​Gibson / Martelli, and Danielle Brathwaite Shirley. Valentino Catricalà and Dr. Kirsty Fairclough (SODA Labs), Josh Naylor (HTC), Liz Rosenthal (Venice Film Festival’s Venice and Venice Production Bridge Finance Market), William Uricchio (MIT Open Documentary Lab), Kay Watson (Serpentine Galleries) and National Trust Curator Jon Chu.

​​Impossible Perspectives Lab is a new UK artist residency programme for Tatton Park. Produced by Abandon Normal Devices, commissioned by Abandon Normal Devices and Cheshire East Council as part of SHIFT. Supported with public funds from Arts Council England, with additional support from the Italian Cultural Institute in London.