Jon Adams, UoP Artist in Residence – New project working with CT Student
Posted on 07. Feb, 2013 by admin in Architecture, Art Design and Media, Creative and Cultural Industries, Creative Arts Film and Media, Creative Technologies
Jon Adams, Artist in Residence at University of Portsmouth, is working on an exciting project which mixes science and art – a residency and research project which is based at Cambridge University. We thought you would like to hear the latest news from his residency.
Jon Adams, 'Rose folds detailed', Manipulated photograph, 3rd January 2013. Photo: Jon Adams.
For our previous story (October 2012) see here
The project, Konfirmation Systemizing, is described by Jon as ‘Revaluing Autistic Thinking’. During his residency Jon is working with staff at the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, and the Centre’s Director Professor Simon Baron-Cohen.
Rather than a specific pathology, Baron-Cohen sees autism as being on a continuum in the general population. He proposes that certain features of autistic people – ‘obsessions’ and repetitive behaviour – previously regarded as purposeless, are conversely highly purposive, intelligent (hyper-systemising), and a sign of a different way of thinking. He argues that high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome need not just lead to disability, but can also lead to talent.
This neuroscience arts residency project is funded by the Wellcome Trust and commissioned by The Arts Catalyst.
The Konfirmation – Systemization website is hosted by Art’s Catalyst here
You can follow Jon’s Konfirmation – Systemization blog on a-n here
Jon’s blog is hosted by a-n, whose aim is to stimulate and support contemporary visual arts practice, and if you are not already a member – click here for details. It is free for students, so don’t miss out! a-n is used by thousands of artists and arts organisations to share news, good practice, opportunities, knowledge and resources.
Jon’s blog on a-n has been at number 9 in their top ‘Artists Talking’ blogs for a couple of weeks, but is now up to number 7 and was featured in the latest an e-newsletter.
Jon is setting out on a personal, artistic and scientific journey, processing conversations, observations and experiments through his Aspergers ‘filters’. The process and final work will be ‘naturally systemised’, presented in audio and visual metaphor.
The bog doesn’t reveal exactly what the artwork will be. We can reveal that it will be a piece of music, but further information will not be revealed until July 2013. The blog is also unusual in the fact that it includes poetry, word pattern and a imagery. The blog documents the project, not in a traditional commentary or diary way, but in a way which is informative and intimately personal.
Jon is keen to see knowledge transfer from this Cambridge residency. He is providing information to the scientists researching autism at Cambridge University by taking autism tests and by recording his personal experiences of Aspergers, Dyslexia and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He is working closely with Creative Technology staff and students – A 3rd year BSc (Hons) Television and Broadcasting student is recording the journey of the project which will form part of the final artwork.
Jon Adams, 'floor universe details', Manipulated photograph, 4th February 2013. Photo: Jon Adams.
Jon told us that he has noticed during this project that he has used much more colour than he usually does in the digital artworks he is creating to accompany the blog. “I have always had difficulty with colour. Being synaesthetic evidently goes with my Aspergers, so that objects and especially colours to me are not ‘unliked’ or unappreciated but taste and shout connotations across the room. Aspergers thinking often trends to the black and white”. He continued “I am not saying I don’t appreciate colour as some colours I do desire, but some I detest. I have my favourite shades and schemes that taste calm or are easy on the minds ear – I know what I like and in their rightful place they rest”.
We look forward to seeing and hearing the final artwork when it is revealed in July. In the meantime, make sure you keep an eye on Jon’s blog.
