Whilst the Digital Test Commissions strand is about the process of testing new digital tools, methodologies and thinking that encourages discovery within artistic practice, we also encourage and support new experimental artistic works that engage with communities. This informs artist’s continued professional development (CPD), alongside receiving creative support and mentorship.

Experiences of artists have ranged from overcoming technical hurdles, learning and experimenting with new software, media, tools and AI, This tests new ways of working and facilitates community-engagement and community-generated input - all with a focus on unlocking practice through digital means.

This is a summary of Ruth’s experience.

• Ruth’s work involved expanding upon her practice connecting ceramics, textiles and folklore, delving into a digital ecosystem that brought new life to static works, exploring 3D scanning, internet theory and AI simulated animation of the sculptural works. 

• The artist's process took inspiration from ‘Creepy Pasta’ and SCPs (Secure Contain Protect open blogs) —online communities of writers and enthusiasts who use video, images, GIFs, hyperlinks, and text. Ruth took these elements to invent new creatures and stories with a project exploring the internet as a living landscape for contemporary folklore. With AI as a creative companion but very much under control of the artist, Ruth invited a group of creative allies to test the possibilities of what’s known as an ‘Okiotype’: a folklore rooted in place, re-imagined for the digital realm.

Experience/Process: 

• Through hands-on crafts and divination games, participants engaging in her workshops conjured story ingredients, which an AI assistant then shaped into a brand-new digital folklore narrative.

• Ruth exhibited ceramic sculptures produced during the project which we’re installed alongside the Durham Oriental Museum collection, drawing connections with myths and culture of the East, and stories interwoven into the heritage and contemporary culture of Durham.

• Ruth has also made lots of connections with other artists and organisations, with the project considered “a great success story” from digital mentor Steven Walker from OGRE Studio.

• “Alongside engaging a wider creative community and self-directed experimentation, Ruth has really nurtured and unlocked a new aspect to her practice - yes, in terms of tooling and software, but perhaps more deeply, from a contextual studies POV, exploring internet theory and online communities. This feels like the start of a real widening of a practice inflection point that will undoubtedly pay dividends for an emerging, hard-working artist.” - Steven Walker.