Sunday Nov 28th, Digital Futures @ Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5NF. To book, fill out the online booking form.

7.00pm - 7.40pm Rod Dickinson Presents

Using detailed research into moments of the past and present, Rod Dickinson has made a series of meticulously re-enacted events that represent various mechanisms of social control.

During his talk Rod will examine how digital technology affects the way we see ourselves and others and how this fundamentally changes the way we view our lives.

Rod Dickinson is an artist specialising in recreations of historical incidents or events. He first work gained notoriety in the 1990s for his work involving the creation of crop circles in the UK.

As well as a visual artist, using multi-media, Rod Dickinson is also a lecturer in media and cultural studies at the University of West England in Bristol.

Rod's art work explores ideas of control and mediation and focuses on the way in which our behaviour is moderated by technology and feedback systems.

His most recent live project 'Closed Circuit' - an examination of political rhetoric and the government press briefing - was staged at Stara Elektrarna (The Old Power Station) Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 28 August 2010, as part of the International festival Mladi levi.

7.45pm - 8.25pm Can We Educate Creative Technologists? Talk by Dan Dixon

Digital media is driven by tinkering, hacking, creative ideas and radical solutions. The exciting, interesting and profitable ideas are not coming out of research labs and big engineering. They are coming from creative uses of existing tools and technologies, and being built by a new breed of geek. One who blends the worlds of art, design, business and technology.

During his talk Dan will ask and answer the following questions:

What does a Creative Technologist look like?
Is, and why is, there an industry demand for Creative Technologists?
How is education coping with this demand?
What is the current educational best practice in blending art, design and technology?
What are the common principles behind these and how can you implement them?

8.30pm – 9.10pm Digital Futures Let's talk about it...

Join in the debate about the future of the digital arts and creative industries across our region.

What is their impact and contribution to the regional economy?
What education and training are young people entitled to, and how do they get it in a time when government agencies are closing?
How can any of this be funded at a time of economic meltdown?
What will be the future for young people wanting to become digital artists, film makers, animators and practitioners?
We are facing cuts to local authority arts budget of up to 100%. Is this as bad as it sounds or a chance for a re-think on public funded arts organisations and projects?
What will happen if none of these questions are answered and resolved?

Join the panel debate with the people that can make a difference to the creative industries in Somerset, Bath and Bristol.

9.15pm - 9.50pm And the winners are: The Golden Fawn competition winners are announced