[Digital] Transmissions began in 2022 as an artistic development programme funded by the British Council in Jordan, in collaboration with the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts and FutureEverything. It is designed for artists and creative practitioners based in Jordan, offering them opportunities to participate in a series of online workshops, in-person sessions, and events led by established digital artists. Participants can learn digital skills, network with peers, collaborate, and create new work.
Digital Transmissions I (2022/2023)
From a series of online workshops to in-person encounters, hands-on mentoring sessions, and conversations, the [Digital] Transmissions programme created a space for exploring creative uses of digital technologies and acquiring new skills. Participating artists had the opportunity to create new work, engage with peers, share their learnings, and collaborate.
In its inaugural edition, Digital Transmissions I reached its zenith with a captivating group exhibition hosted at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts (JNGFA), representing the culmination of this remarkable programme. This milestone event was the result of a profound cultural exchange between Jordan and the UK, touching upon profound themes such as humanity, intimacy, spirituality, and the impact of technology on society. The participating artists alongside programme mentors came together to create an extraordinary showcase of their creative outcomes.
Following the exhibition, a study visit was organised, where the Jordan Delegation embarked on a journey to celebrate artistic collaboration and cultural exchange through the vibrant art scenes of Manchester, Liverpool, and London. From immersive installations to thought-provoking exhibitions, this exploration was a resounding success, deepening the appreciation for digital art's power to transcend boundaries and inspire creativity.
DT II 2023/2024
In its second edition, [Digital] Transmissions II shifts its focus to explore digital creative practices that delve into the concept of decolonisation and the utilisation of artificial intelligence in artistic production and critical thinking across various creative domains, including visual arts, performance, sound, music, and public art. This year, the programme has selected 12 artists from various artistic disciplines and backgrounds following an open call for applications.
These artists have had the opportunity to participate in a four-month remote residency, engaging in in-depth, self-directed study, and developing new art projects under the support and mentorship of professional artists from Jordan and the UK.
[Digital] Transmissions is an exciting opportunity for artists and creative practitioners in Jordan to advance their creative practices in the digital realm. The programme is commissioned by the British Council Jordan and organised by The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts through the Jordan Art Residency & Studios Program (JARS) by FACTORY Platform, in collaboration with FutureEverything (UK) and Metafour Collective in Jordan.
This year's edition is exploring AI and art entanglements, creative exchange, and critical ideas responding to how cultural, socio-political, and environmental landscapes are being shaped by AI technologies and conversations.
Key questions being explored include: What questions does the employment of AI tools pose for the future of artistic production, skills and knowledge production, and creative industries? What are the opportunities and challenges? Does AI art enable different ways of participation or audience engagement and, if so, how? These questions are being explored in the context of Southwest Asia, North Africa, the Global South, and colonial and post-colonial perspectives.
Click here for more information about the exhibition, artists, and mentors
