8 June 2011

New research space to explore Dundee’s future through art, design and technology

A robot that raises money for charity has helped launch a new ‘pop-up’ research space at Dundee Contemporary Arts.

The ‘Small Society Lab’ is a collaboration between DCA and the Product Design Research Studio at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, and will run throughout June and July. It will explore and make use of community-based art, design and technology practice to support creative change in the city, through workshops, talks, films, walks and activities.

The project hopes to spark outlets for creativity. It seeks new opportunities to improve public services, business opportunities and people’s lives through small changes to the community. Local residents and business are urged to get involved, attend events and help to make exciting things happen.

The coin-operated ‘Don-8R’ robot is the brainchild of Product Design graduand Tim Pryde, and has attracted worldwide attention. When users insert a coin the cute robot springs to life, delighting those in the vicinity and raising money for charity at the same time. It proved one of the most talked-about exhibits at the recent Degree Show at DJCAD, part of the University of Dundee.

Tim and his robot helped launch the Small Society Lab as an example of the exciting art, technology and design work being carried out in Dundee.

Dr Jon Rogers, Director of the Product Design programme said, 'The vision of the Small Society Lab is to facilitate and enable creative change in Dundee through direct connection to people and their ideas.

'We believe that navigating a changing world is better done with artists, designers and technologists working on common problems with the people of Dundee. We value responding to people’s needs; that doing small things can change the world; that ideas are what make us who we are.'

The Product Design Research Studio explores digital products for connecting communities. By engaging with the community, the team will be able to test theories, explore territories, prototype and simulate futures with the people of Dundee. The Small Society Lab will be based in the Visual Research Centre, part of DJCAD, located on the lower floors of DCA from 7th June to 29th July

Researchers and students will host workshops about their work, and there will also be a drop-in live lab with digital products and research objects for the public to play with. The team will be at hand to discuss any digital issues that users may have.

Project partners include: RCUK Bespoke, RCUK TOTeM, AHRC Participants United, Mozilla Labs, Microsoft Research, NCR, and RNIB

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277