Work in Progress (WiP) 2022 Themes & Events Programme Announced

Reflecting our students’ adaptation to a rapidly changing world, the pieces shown in this year’s Work in Progress speak to the politics of presenting in the digital sphere with three overarching themes underpinning this year’s show. 

There are Virtual Lovers, asking to what extent can a work’s primary existence be within the virtual world? 

There are Hybrid Narratives – the types of creative work that straddle the boundaries of the computational and the corporeal. 

And works that are Captured – asking of their viewers, how do we perceive the documentation of work intended to be viewed offline? 

These themes are reflected throughout the four Schools of the College, and are explored through a programme of events which you can book now. Work in Progress 2022 will go live with our students’ work on Friday 28 January at wip2022.rca.ac.uk.

Wherever you are, there are multiple ways to engage with the world’s most talented emerging artists and designers – and the thinking, practices and processes informing their work in progress.

Question

With the landscape ever shifting before us, how we communicate takes on greater significance. As part of their opening event on Thursday 27 January, the School of Communication convenes a panel discussion on how students are responding to the biggest questions of our time: how, and why, do we communicate in the world as it is now? The discussion lays the groundwork for discovering work in progress from students of the School’s wide ranging programmes. 

Listen

On Friday 28 January, sound design and moving image take centre stage. Ranging from new improvisational systems and AI avatars to sonic sculptures and bio-listening, Information Experience Design MA students share new work exploring new sonic territories, joined by award-winning artist and musician Beatrice Dillon. Later that evening, students on the Moving Image Design pathway offer insight into their practice and personal enquiries with a screening of their work in progress and work by special guest Sophie Cundale – followed by a critical forum.

Learn

Transforming everyday human experiences, MA Service Design students present work at the cross section of three contemporary design challenges. On Monday 31 January, hear from students working with the Liveable Planet in mind: assisting sportswear brand Adidas in its bid to adapt to a circular economy, and exploring the challenges of the climate crisis with futurist Sanjay Khanna. On Tuesday 1 February, the focus switches to Social Impact: learn about students’ work with the Ministry of Justice and Catch 22 creating services to help people released on licence from prison. Finally on Wednesday 2 February, discover how students are helping consumers make more sustainable financial decisions in Life Services.

Participate

As part of a wide range of programming within the School of Design, MA Textiles students invite you to participate in their tactile and grounding workshops – bringing sensory explorations to our digital lives. On Wednesday 2 February, you’re invited to Experience Matter: to slow down and embrace how the scents in our everyday life can become a portal to our deepest memories. Bring paper and your preferred tools for writing and painting. Then, on Thursday 3 February, craft is the order of the day: join the Crafting Futures workshop to learn how to make an origami talking fox. You’ll need A4 paper, colour pens and a sense of playfulness. 

Reflect

Interrogating the co-dependence of life forms and earth systems, on Friday 28 January, the School of Architecture launches the newly formed Alentejo Research Unit and Liquid Desert Studio – part of the MA Environmental Architecture programme. Their research hones in on rural landscapes, air pollution and agriculture in Portugal, with students and staff taking a collective approach to working practices. On Thursday 3 February, the wider School welcomes Sardar Saadi of Rojava University, Dilar Dirik, Jinwar Women's Village and Jonas Staal, for their Reproducing Revolution / Making Stateless Space: Rojava Solidarity Lecture. The talk forms a special edition of the School’s #REPOSSESSION International Lecture Series.