Dr John Cockram a Senior Lecturer in Visual Theories at UEL’s School of Architecture and Visual Arts (AVA) based at the Docklands campus has been shortlisted in the South East region. Dr Cockram’s project will be to construct a three walled glass and steel structure creating a ‘room’ to tour the South East coast. Taking up residence on various beaches with the tide lapping the glass walls, the ‘room’ will become a unique space for performances, exhibitions or for simply looking at the view.

Dr Cockram said: “I am delighted to be shortlisted as there some brilliant ideas from the other artists. My project ‘room’ will intrude into the sea and allow people to enter the structure. In addition, it can be an open-air gallery, conference and meeting space for a programme of events which celebrate and explore the Olympics and also environmental issues.”

In the North West Region the University of Salford is part of the Soup Collective’s – “Transmissions” project (pictured above). Transmissions proposes to stage a spectacular live event to plot the course from the maritime beginnings of radio transmission through to the nationwide shutdown of analogue television signals and the advent of our ever-widening digital existence. Live performance, choreography, film, animation and archive material will tell this story, utilising holographics and immersive cinema using the unique waterfront skyline adjacent to MediaCity as an evolving backdrop. A programme of participatory work with local communities and artists will take place, creating the development of a living archive that will leave a lasting legacy.

For further details on Artists Taking the Lead please visit www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk