Bath Digital Festival
Last Thursday, 21st May, Residents from The Studio took part in Bath Digital Festival’s Showcase event. Held at Newark Works, the session formed part of the festival’s programme built around the theme “What if?” — an invitation to challenge assumptions and explore new possibilities in technology and creativity.
From Silvia Carderelli‑Gronau’s Sonic Dancer – which reimagines remote connection through movement and sound – to Nick James’ insight-space, using digital twins to help communities rethink underused buildings, the showcase reflected a strong focus on human-centred innovation and social impact.
Creative and technical experimentation was a key theme throughout. Philip Sibson (Animotion Technologies) demonstrated artist-led AI tools transforming animation workflows, while Charlie Hooper‑Williams (Play & See) made music visible through real-time visualisation, opening up new ways for audiences to engage with sound.
Immersive and experiential work also featured strongly. Benjamin Winstone (Octopus Immersive) and Nigel Fryatt (Polymathic Agency) presented interactive installations and creative technology designed for live cultural experiences – blending engineering, art and audience participation.
Alongside these, a new generation of residents shared exploratory and interdisciplinary practices. James Bickerton (Advance Scout / nocaps.biz) showcased tools for rapidly testing creative business ideas, while Michelle Marie Forrest, Gaz Lawrence and Charlie Troman each explored the intersection of digital and physical media – from algorithm-driven art to hybrid painting and technology-led studies of perception.
The showcase also highlighted collaborative, research-led work. Bashart Malik and Helen Farmer (Frank Conversations Collective) presented projects developed with the University of Bristol, focused on ensuring diverse and underrepresented voices help shape the future of technologies such as AI and virtual reality.
Together, the Residents demonstrated the breadth of The Studio’s creative technology community – where art, research, enterprise and innovation come together to explore new possibilities and ask: what if?