This spring a series of interactive exhibitions, ‘The Art of Motion’, launch at The Public in West Bromwich, exploring movement and fascinating ways in which the body can be used to create electronic art.

From 30 May to 9 September, visitors to the Black Country venue will be placed at the heart of the art using some of the latest digital technology to the shape artwork that evolves around them.

Highlights include, Traces, a newly commissioned artwork that reflects participants movements, Noisy Table, a music playing table tennis table and Cyclomation 2, a pedal powered animation.

Traces, by artist and interaction designer, James Alliban, and produced by Nexus Interactive Arts, encourages the user to adopt the role of performer. Using a depth sensing camera and custom made software, participants movements are visualised into a series of ribbons and particles as they wander across the exhibition space. Acting as an alternative approach to using the body to communicate emotion, the engaging interactive artwork will allow visitors to create their own unique abstract visuals and sounds.

Visitors to The Public will be able to make music and sounds whilst playing a game of table tennis with exhibition, Noisy Table, by Will Nash.  The vibrations created by the ball striking the table during play trigger sounds and noise sequences, broadcasting them live, directly back into the game – the result of which is a new alter-table-tennis experience, as much about the manipulation of sound as it is about winning the game.

Cyclomation 2, an interactive and engaging piece of art, based on an original concept by Steve Chamberlain, will take visitors on an enthralling journey.  Using a custom built machine, they’ll be able to create their own interactive movie using pedal power. 

Further exhibitions in Art of Motion include ‘Lights, Camera, Action’, featuring a number of photographs of local people in motion and ‘Moving Pictures’ a collection of motion themed films selected by Birmingham based 7 Inch Cinema.

The Art of Motion takes place at The Public from 30 May to 9 September, Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm and Sunday, 11am – 3pm, and is free to visit.  During the school holidays the gallery will be open daily.

For further information about exhibitions and workshops at The Public, call 0121 533 7161 or visit www.thepublic.com.