Visual Arts

Outofoffice, founded by Annie Bedford, Richard Taylor and Caroline Good (who all met while working at the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds), has curated its first exhibition, 'HotDesk' in conjunction with the New Technology Institute (NTI) Leeds. The aim of the group is to give working artists the opportunity to present their work in an alternative scenario.

NTI is part of Leeds Metropolitan University's Innovation North faculty, based at Old Broadcasting House on Woodhouse Lane. It started life in 1993 as one of 19 government-funded New Technology Institutes around the country providing digital and multimedia training courses. However it sees itself as more than just a training centre, believing in 'fostering innovation through training, collaboration and shared ideas.' As part of the university they also want to build skills in the region and act as a networking hub for new and established talent.

Old Broadcasting House has been a landmark for film production for decades. It is the place where the first filmed moving picture using a single-lens camera and paper film by inventor Louis Le Prince originated. After many years as the base for the BBC in the city, this listed building has been refurbished and now acts as the focus of enterprise at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Image by Eirini Boukla

The word 'Hotdesk' was chosen as the title of the exhibition as its meaning translates well to the objectives of the show - testing the viability of the Old Broadcasting House as an arts space and specifically to how its architectural features and interiors lend themselves to different mediums of artistic practice.

The list of exhibited artists include: Bruce Davies, Clare Bleakley & Paul Holmes, Dan Mason, Charlotte Morgan, Eirini Boukla, Philip Welding and Silver Mawson.

Each artist will use all aspects of the office space within the building, from the desks to the high level period walls. Some of the work will also be using the electronic equipment which is in the office making relevancy to the technological aspects of the company that occupy the space

In tandem with the exhibition, NTI will also be presenting 'Ignite' - a grass roots event which offers individuals the chance to spend five minutes on stage talking about a project that they are passionate about in today's digital and creative sector.

As well as some of the furniture that is present as periphery office flotsam and jetsam, the office as a working environment lends itself to the multi-media aspect of the exhibition. 

HotDesk is available for public viewing from Thursday 22 January until Friday 30 January 2009, from 5pm - 9pm. Please note the exhibition will be open 12noon - 4pm on Saturday 24 January 2009 and will be closed on Sunday 25 January).