An Isles artist has earned a five-figure grant to produce art that "blurs the line between the physical and digital worlds".
Arnol-based artist Robbie Thomson’s immersive project Synapse has been awarded a £20,000 for its development.
Immersive Arts announced that the chosen Scotland-based creative projects would receive a share of £265,000 in immersive technology projects.
Immersive technology uses digital tools—including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR)—that blur the line between the physical and digital worlds. By creating simulated, interactive 3D environments, the technologies enhance user perception and engagement, allowing for immersive experiences in training, entertainment, and education.
Immersive Arts is an arts and artist-led research project that looks into what artists need to engage with immersive technologies by researching their circumstances. This is the second round funding to support artists from all backgrounds to utilise immersive technology.
Synapse is a high voltage, immersive sculptural installation and sonic environment that explores EEG and neurofeedback through examining rhythmic cascades of sound and light which are triggered by an audience member’s brain activity.
Robbie’s experience spans many exhibitions all over the world in places around the UK, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Korea, and Australia.
He’s a member of the An Lanntair team and is the programme leader for weekly arts workshop session Clàr, covering a range of different activities from music, graphics, art, film, and more. These sessions are designed for anyone from the age of 14 to 25.
Immersive Arts is a three-year programme taking place across the UK, enabling artists to continue their work with immersive technologies.
The project joins 16 other Scotland-based projects to be granted a share of the funding, which is provided through a collaboration between the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Arts Council England (ACE). Funding also comes from the Arts Council of Wales (ACW), Creative Scotland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) through The National Lottery.
