Following the magical happenings of last week when we interviewed for a Magician in Residence we are delighted to announce that with a little bit of jiggery pokery and mystical manoeuvers we now have two magicians joining us! Kieron Kirkland and Stuart Nolan will be exploring creative ideas that blend technology, interaction design, magic and illusion at Watershed and the University of Bristol.

Clare Reddington, Director of Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio says:

‘In last week’s interviews, we decided to weave some magic of our own. Buoyed up by the enthusiasm and quality of our applicants, we sprinkled some woofle dust and doubled the opportunity.’

‘I’m delighted that in October, we will be joined by the awesome Stuart Nolan who will explore how to track subconscious muscle responses to create a friendly mind-reading robot pet, and the amazing Kieron Kirkland who will research the synergies and opportunities between magic and the maker movement.’

Clare continues:

‘When we launched the call for a magician in residence, we were warned to beware. Magicians are solitary, secretive creatures we were told. They may not want to play. But throughout the process, we have been struck by how open, collaborative and curious the magicians we met are.’

‘The magician in residence feels like the beginning of a journey for us. A rabbit hole that will open up into larger, longer research projects blending magic, science, technology and art to create new products, technologies and understandings of human behaviour. I for one, could not be more excited...’

Every year Watershed produces artist residencies, which offer time and space to brilliant people to explore new ideas inspired by creative technologies. This year we decided to do something a bit different: co-hosted by the Pervasive Media Studio and the Computer Science Department of the University of Bristol, the Magicians in Residence will receive research, development and production support. The residency begins on 1 Oct 2013 and culminates in a showcase in December.

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