Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Models, maquettes and the first page of a 3D printed book have gone on display at the University of Nottingham’s PEMC building, produced by the university’s Artist in Residence – Jo Fairfax.
Appointed last year after being selected for the work he loves to extract technological principles and weave them into art, Jo has worked with members of the group to bring the worlds of engineering and art together, with the aim of cultivating an environment that inspires creativity and aids professional development in engineers.
Jo has since spent time working alongside members of the research group, delivering workshops and talks to help inform his artwork, the concepts of which are now on display in the foyer of the PEMC.
The main thing I wanted members of the group to take away from their sessions with Jo is that art and engineering aren’t mutually exclusive – in fact both can benefit each other in different ways.
Professor Wheeler continued: "From a research perspective, it’s helping us approach things with a slightly different and, importantly, fresh perspective. I’ve been really pleased to see such a vested interest from the group in these early months of Jo’s residency and there have been some fantastic suggestions as a result.”
Three proposals have been made so far as a result of ongoing work between Jo and the group, which have formed the basis of the exhibition:
- A 3D printed book, which will spotlight and celebrate the people behind the research.
- Artwork that will be permanently installed in the building foyer, such as interactive 3D wall art or floating ceiling art, which reflects the research taking place in a tangible way.
- Sculptured lettering and lighting for the building’s exterior, which will incorporate photovoltaic (PV) panels, giving the building identity and generating energy for the building.
To be Artist in Residence at the PEMC has been such a privilege. The research undertaken here is so exciting and inspiring. It is the perfect melting pot to inspire ideas.
He continued: "I am also so taken by the researchers themselves, their individual stories as well as their incredible research. The research and researchers gave me so much to appreciate and celebrate through art."
Jo’s residency is part of a collaboration with Lakeside Arts and forms part of a wider initiative to immerse creatives into the research taking place at the university.
James Parkinson, Deputy Chief Executive at Lakeside Arts, said: “It has been an unusual, but thrilling journey. Dropping Jo from a great height into the complex world of power electronics, surrounding him with experts in their field, and understanding and exploring the research that happens within the building. This exhibition is the result of collective conversations and proposes internal and external installations that could inspire and engage visitors to the centre.”
The exhibition was unveiled as part of the PEMC’s annual conference and has provided a snapshot of what’s coming next for the building. It will remain in place until June 2024.
To find out more about the PEMC Research Group, please click here, for Lakeside Arts click here and for Jo Fairfax, click here.
Story credits
More information is available from Pat Wheeler, PEMC Research Group, at pat.wheeler@nottingham.ac.uk, or; Danielle Hall, Media Relations Manager at the University of Nottingham, at danielle.hall@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 846 7156.
About the Faculty of Engineering
Made up of six departments – Architecture and Built Environment, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering and Foundation Engineering and Physical Sciences – the university’s Faculty of Engineering is home to more than 5,600 students and 800 staff.
The faculty, which has educated engineers and architects for more than 140 years, was the first in the country to be accredited with an Athena SWAN Gold Award for excellence in advancing gender equality across higher education and research and is home to multiple state-of-the-art facilities, including the recently opened £40m Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC).
With research at its heart, 21 research groups are undertaking pioneering projects for a sustainable future across several themes – including net zero transport, sustainable energies and the built environment, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare technologies – and has delivered a positive impact in more than 20 countries. Within those countries, the faculty’s research has supported 500 companies and three governments – that have changed their strategies as a result of its research – and has also directly created jobs for around 3,000 people across the world.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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