I am applying for the AA2A opportunity to give myself the opportunity to dedicate some time to develop my practice and research around the future of technologies, labour and public spaces. I have a multi-disciplinary approach, which is why I believe some time within a university would allow me to make the most of a range of resources, equipment and people.

My work at Chester would follow two main projects. One would be related to my recent artist duo, ‘Ambience Factory’, a satirical company that sells mindfulness to the workforce to increase profits and productivity under the guise of better wellbeing.

Ambience Factory delivers comedic, motivational PowerPoint presentations to criticise the dismantling of worker’s rights - particularly in the gig economy - and the emphasis on the individual to ‘look inside themselves’ to cope with stress, instead of apportioning it to toxic work practices and environments.

I am also interested in developing my independent work on the future of digital surveillance, and how it perpetuates the existing social orders in our societies.

I will be approaching these projects by undertaking a mixture of research and practical development. I am interested in using the print facilities to develop the ‘brand’ of Ambience Factory and create visualisations of the damaging force of the disrupters of Silicon Valley. I am also interested in creating motivational videos – yoga, dance routines, meditation exercises – that amplify the irony of pursuing the technological fix and 3 minute meditation exercise for our wellbeing.

Lastly, I am excited to be able to interact with students and staff to gain further perspective on my work, and vice versa.