Elliott McKnight, A&E Atlanta Artist-in-Residence: April-July 2023
Elliott is a creative director with an emphasis on design, marketing, and open-source creativity. Also a 360-videography artist, McKnight aims to use his residency and filmmaking expertise to create immersive and captivating experiences that tell the stories of the downtown Atlanta community. Throughout the residency, he plans to produce a series of 360-videography experiences that will be showcased on A&E Atlanta's digital signage, with each sign providing a piece of a longer narrative work. He also plans to host unveilings at each location to unite residents and create a sense of community. In addition to the 360-videography films, McKnight intends to partner with local AR artists to deepen participants’ experience with the digital signage and their engagement with the unique art and culture of Downtown Atlanta. McKnight’s emphasis on using transformative storytelling to spark meaningful conversation brings an authentic and exciting perspective to the residency program.
Sarah Lawrence, MARTA Artbound Artist-in-Residence: June-September 2023
Lawrence is a creative technologist with a passion for design and illustration. Her past work includes everything from physical installations to virtual reality-enabled experiences, and she is currently exploring the artistic possibilities of artificial intelligence. During her residency, Lawrence will explore emerging AI technologies to create an automated platform that transforms users’ reactions and emotions into a digital quilt of generated images. Drawing from her experience fostering community collaboration to create public art, Lawrence will engage MARTA transit riders in the process and thereby involve the Atlanta community in her work. AI images will be collected in real time, allowing viewers to see how they change throughout the day, week, and month. In addition, Lawrence will use AR technology to create an immersive experience for participants to digitally explore the gallery of diverse, community-generated work.
Jason Clark, A&E Atlanta Artist-in-Residence: August-December 2023
Clark’s work blends extended reality, fashion, and imaginative worlds to build community and bring people of all backgrounds together. When Clark first moved to Atlanta, a favorite band shirt allowed him to meet and connect with new people; this experience solidified his belief that fashion can be used as a powerful tool to bring people together. During his residency, Clark will explore the intersection of augmented reality and fashion, using the two to capture Atlanta’s essence and cultivate a spirit of community. He will create 3D fashion billboards for the A&E digital signs based on beloved Atlanta landmarks; he will also facilitate an interactive activation where participants can use digital mirrors and 3D assets to try on virtual fashion themselves. Clark’s sense of childlike wonder and his love of using technology to bring design to life offer a unique perspective to the world of fashion.
Art+Tech Project Support Recipients
In addition to the residencies, three artists were granted funding and in-kind support for their innovative projects:
William Kennedy, Onur Topal-Sumer and Laurel Lawson