Interested in finding out more about the project’s insights? Click here to view a work-in-progress report.
Want to share specific nature-related reflections and musings? Click here to contribute to our Participants Stories, ‘Where do we go when we manifest?’
What does the future of art x activism x tech look like in the ever-changing world of our climate crisis? What does it mean to be a neurodiverse person engaging with nature? How can creative tech be used to address barriers with accessing local green spaces while also fostering a value for the natural world through interactive play? ‘Where do we go when we ______?’, is the creative development phase of a multi-sensory exhibition experience inspired by nature that both amazes and bewilders; where creative tech, visual art, sound and installations come together to take people through a mindful journey.
‘Where do we go when we ______?’ is informed from Emma Blake Morsi’s over 2 years of R&D across various residencies & research projects; most notably, Nature As A Resting Tool project, and is part of Watershed’s experimental R&D programme Grounding Technologies. GT explores how creative tech can be utilised as part of climate action; it is delivered in collaboration with Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studios and University of West of England (UWE) and funded by Bristol and Bath Creative Research & Development.
Nigerian-born and Bristol-raised, Emmanuella Morsi (Emma Blake Morsi, Studio Morsi) is an award-winning multi-disciplinary arts producer who has teamed up with local creatives Olamiposi Ayorinde (aka Irish Mellow) and Ruby Pugh to develop the multi-sensory, nature-inspired experience. It aims to normalise climate engagement with groups facing barriers to nature, with a main objective to develop a better understanding of the kind of creative tech prototypes, considerations, desires and wishes to make a multi-sensory experience that is neurodiverse-friendly, embodies access as a creative tool, and connects marginalised groups to nature.
By meaningfully connecting marginalised communities to nature through decolonised play and immersive art, the team will be working closely with local residents and communities to delve deeper into sensory research; specifically, hoping to better understand what multi-sensory elements will be best suited to create a space that’s intersectional and caters to neurodiverse people and those on the spectrum.
Key principles are:
- Decolonise green spaces with paid communityworkshopsdismantling the idea of “perfection” when engaging with nature
- Using access as a creative tool (for experimental, radically inclusive spaces; centring co-creation while building new systems and ethics into programming)
- Open-source learnings
- Develop something scalable, adaptable and potentially tourable
Where do you go when you rest? Or when you play? Or when you create? Do you have barriers to engaging with the outdoors? How would you reimagine your local green spaces? And who really owns the green?
Across Sept – Oct 2023, a series of experimental workshops* and a showcase pop up will be coming to Bristol to further understand what it means to be a marginalised or neurodiverse person engaging with nature, and how can local, historically disadvantaged communities be a part of co-creating an immersive, multi-sensory experience that is inspired by nature and designed to be neurodiverse-friendly.
*participants are paid and/or travel covered in all workshops.
Diverse individuals and local Bristol-based community groups wanted for paid workshops to co-develop a multi-sensory, nature-inspired experience.
Complete this form to officially register your interests to participate in ‘Where Do We Go When We ______?’ and keep updated on the project
This questionnaire is anonymous and your answers will not be stored with your name or contact details unless voluntarily provided. You have the option to voluntarily disclose your name and email address at the end if you’re open to us contacting you about upcoming events as part of “Where do we go when we ______?” and how to participate.
If interested in finding out more about the project, including how to engage further or support, please contact us on wheredowego@emmablakemorsi.co.uk. And if you need help completing the form or need to request a paper version for yourself or on someone else’s behalf, please get in contact.