The artist as historyteller within museum and heritage sites

The public works presented for this PhD are commissioned art projects that explore the role of the artist as historyteller within museum and heritage sites. I coin the hybrid term historytelling (between storytelling and historiography) to situate my practice as both an artistic and a historiographic practice. The works utilise photography, film, installation, and locative technologies in the production of narrative-based work for three commissioned projects undertaken between 2005-2015. The public works consist of: a series of exhibited film works and a book chapter produced as an artist in residence within VivaCity2020, an interdisciplinary research project with a focus on Clerkenwell, London; a physical and online museum interpretation zone including film and augmented reality (AR) for the Royal Air Force Museum (RAFM); and a locative historytelling iOS app for Alexandra Palace and Park. Each of these works engages public audiences in representations of the past. Building on the feminist principles of my previous work, my approach to these public works is to employ feminist methodologies, working against meta-narrators in history discourses. I extend deconstructivist discourse in historiography and new museum theory into art practice to demonstrate how the artist can contribute in the construction of histories for public audiences. As a practitioner, I reflect on the methods and modes of telling that interweave across these projects, exploring the intersection between form (creative application of media technologies), methods (feminist, collaborative, narrative, historiographical, and interdisciplinary) and context (of representing pasts in public settings through commission). I argue that by operating both within and outside institutions, the commissioned artist can affect a temporary, subversive intervention in research and museum/heritage site projects, more attuned with the volatility of the present that perpetually changes our connection to the past. In this state of volatility, the submitted artworks exemplify that the artist is uniquely positioned to articulate, within and against institutional frameworks, the flux of historytelling

Embedding impact in collaborative filmmaking processes: a case study

Working with two community partners, Barnet Mencap and Why me? (a restorative justice provider), we were invited, with our students from the BA Film programme at Middlesex University, to participate in a knowledge exchange project. The aim of this project was to make the processes of restorative justice more accessible to individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism. We produced and delivered four short educational/campaign films, which are now available online, including on our partners’ websites. While the anticipated impact of the films was clearly defined, positioned from the outset of the project and will be monitored over time, we wish to shift our focus in this article away from the outcomes and explore the notion of impact in relation to the process of making these films. We worked collaboratively with our students, challenging hierarchical assumptions both in an educational setting and in the context of a filmmaking crew. Most importantly, the collaboration also entailed working with a group of neurodivergent actors, who contributed, apart from their acting, through improvisation and interventions to the script. In this context, our project provides for an insightful framework for thinking about impact in relation to a more accessible and inclusive filmmaking process

Opening up the open spaces through space syntax

In many parts of the world, housing and neighbourhood developments of the latetwentieth century have been shaped by the belief that it is important to createcommunal open spaces that can provide a physical focus for local communities.This has given rise to a range of modern housing typologies that are based on anethos of building community through design, using concepts such as a ?privacygradient?, the separation of pedestrian and vehicular movement and the notion of?enclosure?, amongst others, to shape the public open space of the estate. Thispaper examines the contribution of such public spaces to community awareness intwenty-eight English city-centre housing estates with differing housingmorphologies, built between the middle of the nineteenth century and the earlytwenty-first century. As a manifestation of the complex social relationships thattake place within the domain of public space, we suggest that the above conceptsand their physical realisation need to be complemented by careful consideration ofsocial notions such as the constitutedness of the spaces, co-presence andsurveillance. The methodology used is based on a detailed analysis of the builtforms and spatial layouts of the estates, combined with a ?space syntax? analysis ofthe interconnectedness and accessibility of the public realm within each estate,representations that show the extent of visual fields from key public open spacesand an appraisal of the types of physical boundaries surrounding each of theseopen spaces and the openings that give onto them. The juxtaposition of thesedifferent analyses provides insight into the interfaces maintained spatially betweenresidents and non-residents and the possibilities that are thereby created formutual awareness and encounter. In many parts of the world, housing and neighbourhood developments of the latetwentieth century have been shaped by the belief that it is important to createcommunal open spaces that can provide a physical focus for local communities.This has given rise to a range of modern housing typologies that are based on anethos of building community through design, using concepts such as a ?privacygradient?, the separation of pedestrian and vehicular movement and the notion of?enclosure?, amongst others, to shape the public open space of the estate. Thispaper examines the contribution of such public spaces to community awareness intwenty-eight English city-centre housing estates with differing housingmorphologies, built between the middle of the nineteenth century and the earlytwenty-first century. As a manifestation of the complex social relationships thattake place within the domain of public space, we suggest that the above conceptsand their physical realisation need to be complemented by careful consideration ofsocial notions such as the constitutedness of the spaces, co-presence andsurveillance. The methodology used is based on a detailed analysis of the builtforms and spatial layouts of the estates, combined with a ?space syntax? analysis ofthe interconnectedness and accessibility of the public realm within each estate,representations that show the extent of visual fields from key public open spacesand an appraisal of the types of physical boundaries surrounding each of theseopen spaces and the openings that give onto them. The juxtaposition of thesedifferent analyses provides insight into the interfaces maintained spatially betweenresidents and non-residents and the possibilities that are thereby created formutual awareness and encounter

Moving tales, exploring narrative strategies for scalable locative audio drama.

This paper reports on a recent collaboration between the Lansdown Centre for Electronic Arts at Middlesex University and the BBC Radio Drama Department, which was designed to investigate the narrative possibilities of locative media in a drama context. The locative drama Scratch is the first outcome of an ongoing research project, Locating Drama, whose aim is to investigate and develop narrative strategies that take full advantage of the current generation of GPS enabled portable computing devices for audio drama. In particular, we are exploring content and modes of interaction, which, while based on location awareness are not in any way site-specific allowing users to experience the drama in a location of their choice. We will refer to this approach as translocational as it allows the translation of locative media experiences to a wide variety of spaces. The translocational approach is of particular interest to broadcasters as it is more scalable than a site-specific paradigm, opening the possibility of downloadable location-aware podcasts featuring professionally authored content for a wide audience

What are we measuring? A critique of range of motion methods currently in use for Dupuytren's disease and recommendations for practice

Background: Range of motion is the most frequently reported measure used in practice to evaluate outcomes. A goniometer is the most reliable tool to assess range of motion yet, the lack of consistency in reporting prevents comparison between studies. The aim of this study is to identify how range of motion is currently assessed and reported in Dupuytren’s disease literature. Following analysis recommendations for practice will be made to enable consistency in future studies for comparability. This paper highlights the variation in range of motion reporting in Dupuytren’s disease. Methods: A Participants, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes and Study design format was used for the search strategy and search terms. Surgery, needle fasciotomy or collagenase injection for primary or recurrent Dupuytren’s disease in adults were included if outcomes were monitored using range of motion to record change. A literature search was performed in May 2013 using subject heading and free-text terms to also capture electronic publications ahead of print. In total 638 publications were identified and following screening 90 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data was extracted and entered onto a spreadsheet for analysis. A thematic analysis was carried out to establish any duplication, resulting in the final range of motion measures identified. Results: Range of motion measurement lacked clarity, with goniometry reportedly used in only 43 of the 90 studies, 16 stated the use of a range of motion protocol. A total of 24 different descriptors were identified describing range of motion in the 90 studies. While some studies reported active range of motion, others reported passive or were unclear. Eight of the 24 categories were identified through thematic analysis as possibly describing the same measure, ‘lack of joint extension’ and accounted for the most frequently used. Conclusions: Published studies lacked clarity in reporting range of motion, preventing data comparison and meta-analysis. Percentage change lacks context and without access to raw data, does not allow direct comparison of baseline characteristics. A clear description of what is being measured within each study was required. It is recommended that range of motion measuring and reporting for Dupuytren’s disease requires consistency to address issues that fall into 3 main categories:- Definition of terms Protocol statement Outcome reportin

An Amish founder variant consolidates disruption of CEP55 as a cause of hydranencephaly and renal dysplasia

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Springer Nature via the DOI in this record.The centrosomal protein 55 kDa (CEP55 (OMIM 610000)) plays a fundamental role in cell cycle regulation and cytokinesis. However, the precise role of CEP55 in human embryonic growth and development is yet to be fully defined. Here we identified a novel homozygous founder frameshift variant in CEP55, present at low frequency in the Amish community, in two siblings presenting with a lethal foetal disorder. The features of the condition are reminiscent of a Meckel-like syndrome comprising of Potter sequence, hydranencephaly, and cystic dysplastic kidneys. These findings, considered alongside two recent studies of single families reporting loss of function candidate variants in CEP55, confirm disruption of CEP55 function as a cause of this clinical spectrum and enable us to delineate the cardinal clinical features of this disorder, providing important new insights into early human development.Medical Research CouncilNewlife Foundation for disabled childre

Should first-line empiric treatment strategies cover coagulase-negative staphylococcal infections in severely malnourished or HIV-infected children in Kenya?

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infection is a common cause of morbidity in children aged andlt;5 years in developing countries. In studies reporting bacteremia in Africa, coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) are commonly isolated. However, it is currently unclear whether children who are highly susceptible to infection because of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) or HIV should be treated with antimicrobials specifically to cover CoNS. We aimed to determine the clinical significance of CoNS amongst children admitted to a rural hospital in Kenya in relation to nutritional and HIV status. METHODS: Systematically collected clinical and microbiological surveillance data from children aged 6-59 months admitted to Kilifi County Hospital (2007-2013) were analysed. Multivariable regression was used to test associations between CoNS isolation from blood cultures and SAM (MUAC andlt;11.5cm or nutritional oedema (kwashiorkor)), and HIV serostatus; and among children with SAM or HIV, associations between CoNS isolation and mortality, duration of hospitalization and clinical features. RESULTS: CoNS were isolated from blood culture in 906/13,315 (6.8%) children, of whom 135/906 (14.9%) had SAM and 54/906 (6.0%) were HIV antibody positive. CoNS isolation was not associated with SAM (MUACandlt;11.5cm (aOR 1.11, 95% CI 0.88-1.40) or kwashiorkor (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.48-1.49)), or a positive HIV antibody test (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 0.92-1.71). Among children with SAM or a positive HIV antibody test, CoNS isolation was not associated with mortality or prolonged hospitalization. CONCLUSION: In a large, systematic study, there was no evidence that antimicrobial therapy should specifically target CoNS amongst children with SAM or HIV-infection or exposure

Egg and spoon.

ScreenWork was established by Jon Dovey, University of Bristol, through developing discussions at AVPhD (An AHRC-funded network instigated by Goldsmiths and Westminster University) and other practice-based research symposia. It is a blind peer-reviewed publication of practice-based audio-visual research, launched at the 3rd Journal of Media Practice (JMP) Symposium: ‘Making the Case: contextualising and documenting media practice as research', University of Bristol, 15th June 2007 at which Bendon also presented a related paper. Egg & Spoon (2005), a DV loop, was selected for the first edition. It is one outcome from a period of research on encountering narrative or psychological stasis in moving-image practice. Bendon focuses on the work's form to draw attention to the idea (perversion) of representations of stasis within durational work, and how non-linear presentations can be explored as appropriate modes of reception. This project was informed by theoretical and contextual considerations (including Deleuze's work on stillness and movement, Adorno and Horkheimer's critique on viewing film, and Ivone Margulies' reflections on the films of Chantal Akerman). Bendon expands on these in A Place For Ambiguity - Articulating Practice As Research (2005) JMP 6(3) 157-165. This essay was developed from a paper presented at Articulating Media Practice As Research, South Bank University (17th June 2005). In both paper and subsequent essay, Bendon articulates and reflects on the types of understanding and knowledge employed as a creative practitioner, using Egg & Spoon to reflect on the role that creative process plays in research culture, exploring the significance of process in developing research outcomes through performative and spatial investigations. It is in the context of an integrated theory/practice model of research that the work was submitted to ScreenWork. The DVD is distributed with Journal of Media Practice 8(2) 2007 ISSN14682753. The statements and peer reviews are at http://www.bris.ac.uk/drama/screenwork/

Skirting around the edges: a creative practice-led research project into notions of resistance and continuity of life experience in the city fringes (case study area: Clerkenwell, London, UK).

This essay was selected by an interdisciplinary board headed by Professor David Wang, at WSU, from an initial conference paper presentation. The E-Publication is blind peer reviewed. This paper presents the practice-led research project in association with Vivacity2020 and AUNT-SUE (as outlined in Output 1) through focusing on the production of one of the commissioned works - Skirting, (DV Projection 2006). The paper looks at the research methodologies of an artist, and looks at how the moving image as a research methodology can contribute to the wider concerns of the consortia. Drawing on Bendon’s existing body of work, the paper investigates the city fringe area (Clerkenwell, London) in terms of a complex dynamic between physical and psychological space; the relationship between people and the space they inhabit. The paper underlines that history—that is, time and the unintended environments time leaves in its wake in localize venues over the centuries—is an essential ingredient of urban livability. This is not something the New Urbanists can easily recreate. Bendon’s essay is an informative example of an on-the-ground engagement with what interdisciplinary research—or “interdisciplinarity” in research—entails, both in the kinds of new knowledge such efforts can yield, but also in the confusions that might result from multi-method and multi-disciplinary modes of inquiry. Bendon’s self-reflective essay highlights these tensions