Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI)

Look About
^{An art project led by artist/geologist Jon Adams in response to the 2012 Cultural Olympiad}

Look About is a two year creative research initiative involving Deaf and disabled artists within the South East region and aspiring to spark a cultural shift in attitude towards disability in the arts.

Artist/geologist Jon Adams has learned how London 2012 has the power to capture the imagination and enthusiasm of the public, especially young people and those who may not otherwise engage with the arts. Inclusion and accessibility lie at the heart of the Look About project together with the fundamental awareness of the potential barriers experienced by Deaf and disabled people. This artistic and creatively driven, multi layered project, launched in November 2010, weaves together science and art, digital and analogue, observation and autobiographical experiences of Dyslexia and Aspergers by utilizing, in part, a geological metaphor. The outcome, when completed in November 2011, will be an informed personal ‘biostratigraphy’ of creative responses to the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Look About will be documented and publicised through numerous media. It will establish a significant web presence, the core of which is a digital archive alongside the DAO and Accentuate websites. All work will be mediated throughout various networks (Facebook, Twitter, University) and e-newsletters (DAO, Dada South, Accentuate, ARC, Cibas, BBC Live Sites, BTP, Ahead of the Game, CCC, an, ACE:SE,), including disability and non-disability related outlets and arts sector connections.

Through interactivity and social commentary, the project promises to form a continually evolving responsive socially mediated piece, as well as a series of individual art works; celebratory and public facing events; and video and sound composition. Notably, a proportion of the work will be directly interactive, enabling audiences to inevitably become participants. The public realm nature of the work will ensure that people ‘trip over’ it rather than having to seek it out. Ultimately, it seeks to record, nourish, and further engage Deaf and disabled artists working on London 2012 inspired cultural projects.

Look About is part of Accentuate, the London 2012 Legacy Programme for the South East. Accentuate is funded by Legacy Trust UK, creating a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK, SEEDA and the Regional Cultural Agencies.

Jon is lead Geologist to 'Look About' and 'Geologist in Residence' to Accentuate.

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