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UTS: a new space for media arts in sydney

James Hurley in the Bon Marche Studio

James Hurley in the Bon Marche Studio

James Hurley in the Bon Marche Studio

CONFIDENCE IN NEW MEDIA ARTS IS GIVEN A LITTLE MORE BOUNCE WITH THE OPENING UP OF NEW SPACES FOR THE CREATION AND SHOWING OF WORKS BY STUDENTS AND ARTIST-ACADEMICS. AMONG THE LATEST IS THE BON MARCHE STUDIO, A 10M X 10M X 10M FILM SHOOTING STAGE AND PERFORMANCE AND MEDIA ARTS PRODUCTION SPACE RECENTLY RENOVATED IN THE FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY. THE EXTREMELY WELL EQUIPPED VENUE, A SYDNEY RARITY, IS BOUND TO ATTRACT A LOT OF INTEREST.

James Hurley, Media Centre Manager in the Department of Communication at UTS shows us proudly around the new million dollar venture: “Flexibility was the design brief, so the space has retractable tiered seating for up to 100 people, high definition playback and projection, a 9.1 loudspeaker system that can be configured for stereo, quad, 8-channel surround or film surround formats up to 7.1.” Hurley is particularly fond of “the Coemar de Sisti lighting rig, which allows for safe and easy lighting setups without the need for staff or students to go up to the ceiling. The 10 lighting hoists come down to floor level for setup.”

As well the room has a large green screen cyclorama for compositing work with the luxury of “live keying to Final Cut Pro and three XDCam-Ex 3 High Definition Cameras.” And there’s more, says Hurley: “Audio control is via the latest Roland RSS Virtual mixer and digital snake system allowing for very flexible positioning and control of audio for a variety of media production, playback and performance needs.” To complete the picture, there’s an area for set construction, dressing rooms and loading dock access. Everything an artist could desire. We await the bar.

The new Bon Marche Studio got a good workout at the launch of the UTS’s Centre for Media Arts Innovation, which aims to work across disciplines and artforms within UTS and generate dialogue and ventures with sectors outside the university and the general public [www.communication.uts.edu.au/centres/cmai]. The launch showed off A-V and sound works by UTS staff and affiliates to maximum, immersive advantage. The studio will largely be used in BA (Communication) and Post-Graduate courses as well as the new Sound & Music Design BA commencing in 2010 and, as is hoped, attract a range of conferences, performances and events. RT

James.Hurley@uts.edu.au;
www.communication.uts.edu.au

RealTime issue #87 Oct-Nov 2008 pg. 41

© RealTime ; for permission to reproduce apply to realtime@realtimearts.net

1 October 2008