CERAMIC transmission 2020

Abstract

Since the Covid-19 pandemic 2020 we have experienced so much of our lives through our computer and phone screens - including the 1,787,366 people have shared the image of the Mona Lisa on social media. I consider how we can design artworks to communicate digitally utilising a range of senses testing the notion that if you enable visitors to galleries and museums to touch sculptures it should enable greater understanding about complex ideas. The focus of my artworks was the history of the transmission of disease. I original designed ceramic sculptures that incorporated touch sensitive electronic sound components. Touching objects and visiting galleries became off limits during the pandemic so the touch hypothesis could not be tested, and instead QR codes were used to allow the digital viewer to extend their experience beyond the visual. The project started as an art in science experiment in incorporating sound, sight and touch into sculpture, but finally became my personal memorial to 2020 pandemic and a tribute to the many we have lost to Covid-19.

Keywords:

• Memorial
• disease
• public art
• digital
• installation
• pandemic

Acknowledgements

CERAMIC Transmission was produced for my Major Art in Science MA Project at Liverpool John Moores University in 2020. I want to thank Mark Roughley, Programme Leader, Art in Science, for all his support and encouragement.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.