The next generation of creative talent from across UAL’s six world-leading colleges will be showcased in one, curated space for the first time in history.
The newest names in art, design, fashion, communication, media and performing arts will be unveiled on the UAL Graduate Showcase – a digital platform created with IBM launching to the public on Tuesday 28 July (18:30 BST).
Grayson Perry, UAL Chancellor, said:
“Seeing what UAL students put together for their final collections is always a highlight of the summer for me. But this year, instead of spending several evenings exploring student work at each College, I’m excited to be forging my own adventure on the UAL Graduate Showcase and experiencing the collision of disciplines all under one roof. I’ve always said that UAL is the world’s biggest factory for making trouble – so visit the platform to discover the creators, rebels and innovators of tomorrow and be ready to expect the unexpected!”
Created as a rapid response to the coronavirus pandemic, the platform will host the final collections of close to 7,000 graduating students from all of its colleges; Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts.
The innovative platform, hosted on the IBM public cloud, has been designed to ensure everyone can explore and enjoy the breadth and depth of student work like never before.
In a digital space the concept of a collection is less fixed and more fluid with students’ workable to be surfaced in a variety of contexts – bringing unique ways to experience the skills of the next generation of creative talent.
- Visitors will be able to curate their own experience by exploring specific disciplines, spanning fashion and graphic design, to fine art and special effects. Alternatively, they can experience the Showcase via themes as diverse as Black Lives Matter, climate change and coronavirus.
- Visitors can also enjoy collections curated by course leaders and VIP guests.
- For those with limited time – or who simply don’t know where to start – there will be an ‘Inspire me’ button which randomly selects a student’s work to see.
The Showcase has also been designed to encourage the live interaction normally associated with a venue event through various technologies. Members of the public and professionals from across the creative industries will be able to interact with students, buy their work and attend curated live events.
The Graduate Showcase Events Programme will run from 28th July to 7th August and give the opportunity for visitors to enjoy screenings, tours, performances, discussions, workshops and more.
Luq Niazi, IBM Global Managing Director for Consumer Industries, said:
“The effect of the
COVID-19 pandemic on the cultural sector will change the tenor and substance of graduate shows forever. We are proud to be using state-of-the-art technology, building the platform using Red Hat OpenShift on the IBM public cloud, to give the world a front row seat to the UAL Graduate Showcase 2020. We all look forward to seeing UAL students’ work broadcast around the world.”
From 28th July – 7th August graduateshowcase.arts.ac.uk
