Leave your footprint on Mars and explore the future of AI through new immersive installations

The University is hosting the two fringe events on Monday 25 November as part of Day Zero for the conference which will see representatives from across the world descend on MediaCity for a two-day event that seeks to explore the relationship between creative research and business innovation.

BEYOND is a unique, annual gathering of current and future innovators focused on Research and Development across the Creative Industries.

As one of the conference’s lead local partners, the University is providing a home for demonstrations of two projects from the Cultural Accelerator programme, a creative engagement scheme with arts organisation FutureEverything, who have been commissioned to deliver the programme by MediaCity Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub (MITIH) and the University.

These two groundbreaking, free-to-attend demonstrations are Red Field, an immersive experience that allows the user to take a trip to the surface of Mars and leave their own mark and Quantum – an AI-focused sound and light performance, produced by Cold Star Media.

Roger McKinley, Creative Technology and Content Manager at the University of Salford & Research Associate at Media City Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub, said: “We are delighted to be unveiling two truly innovative exhibitions here at our MediaCity campus as part of the MITIH programme and BEYOND Conference.

“The University and MITIH have a shared belief in the power of technological innovation through artistic innovative practice to explore new and unexpected areas of business growth and help companies explores new territories. In this case, these demonstrations seek to deliver technological innovation whilst also being run in more sustainable, immersive, and experimental ways.

“We have a proud record of hosting stunning immersive installations in our MediaCity Campus building, and are therefore very excited to showcase these groundbreaking projects, which both grapple with enormous themes whilst also being visually stimulating experiences that awaken both the mind and the senses in equal measure.”

Red Field is an exclusive peek at the first prototype of an installation from award-winning artist Nye Thompson and creative technologist Kriss Dunk that will be showcased in the Development Lab on the ground floor of the MediaCity campus building.

The walk-in immersive projection and audio experience puts guests within a stylised version of Mars’ landscapes, using the initial NASA scans, to show the meaning behind walking on the planet and the geopolitical impact of placing a digital footprint within the digital space.

It invites guests to consider the theme of neocolonialism by considering our relationship with Mars and the ongoing exopolitics around the future ownership of it as we inhabit its space.

An expanded version of the space will be showcased in the building’s foyer during Quays Culture’s Lightwaves Festival from Thursday 5 December until Sunday 8 December.

Quantum is a 20 minute immersive sound and light performance from Richard Evans, produced by Cold Star Media, that explores the future of artificial intelligence and synthetic life.

Richard’s innovative 20 minute show features hologram-style projections, volumetric 3D animations, and live electronic music, exploring the future of artificial intelligence and synthetic life in a theatricalised space.

Visitors can view Red Field from 12pm to 5.30pm on Monday 25 November and can sign up for two Quantum performances at 4pm and 5pm here.