Uni sponsors Ashley Jackson’s Framing the landscape project
Wed, 17 Jun 2015 00:03:00 BST
Artist Ashley Jackson’s Framing the landscape open frame at Holme Moss sponsored by the University
SMARTPHONE users who visit a series of rugged beauty spots in Yorkshire will have a famous artist as their personal guide to the landscape, thanks to the work of University of Huddersfield students and their tutor.
Holmfirth-based painter Ashley Jackson has produced countless images of his beloved moors and dales. Now he wants to encourage more people – especially youngsters – to get out into the country and see for themselves. He has developed a scheme which creates living pictures by installing a series of all-weather frames in a variety of locations. Visitors look through the open frames and are therefore given an artist’s eye view of the landscape in all its moods.
Now the project, named Framing the landscape, will have an extra dimension, aimed to appeal to smartphone savvy children in particular.
University of Huddersfield students Josh Flitcroft, Tom Bullard and Julian Surma, in tandem with tutor Damian De Luca – who is Subject Leader for Digital Media and a Director of the University’s award-winning Canalside Studios – have created a smartphone app that works in conjunction with the special outdoor frames, using GPS and image recognition technology.
When phone users visit a location, they will be able to launch the app in order to unlock images on their screens and hear sounds that include artist Ashley talking personally about the landscape before them.
There are now four locations for the special frames – Marsden Moor, Brimham Rocks, Hardcastle Crags and Holme Moss, which is the latest and is sponsored by the University of Huddersfield. The smartphone app covers all of these places.
Holme Moss frame
The installation of the Holme Moss frame took place at a special launch event attended by Ashley Jackson and the University of Huddersfield’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Cryan. Also present at the moorland ceremony were University staff – including Dean of Art, Design and Architecture Professor Mike Kagioglou – plus the students who created the app. A group of children took part too, and they enjoyed a sketching class with the artist.
Professor Cryan said that the University was delighted to sponsor the Holme Moss frame.
“This is one of Yorkshire’s most beautiful locations. I am sure that the frame will inspire everyone who visits this wonderful place,” he added. “The outstanding work our students have carried out to create an app for the frames is an excellent addition to the Framing the Landscape project, and I hope it encourages even more people to stop and enjoy the beautiful scenery that surrounds us.
Ashley Jackson has explained the background to his project and its latest technological development.
“Nature can be far more interactive than a mobile phone, the internet or online games – we just need to show children how,” he said. “We need to assist children in making this connection with the landscape, for they will be the next guardians. That is why, with the assistance of the University of Huddersfield we have created a smartphone app to converse with young people through the technology they understand.
“Alongside a website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram updates, Framing the Landscape aims to ‘speak’ to those that might not normally visit the many diversely dynamic landscapes that surround us”
- The free standing metal frames are situated on top of a tripod that is similar to an easel, but an aperture is cut to provide view of the landscape through the frame, focussing the viewer’s eye. The base of the frames are inscribed with a saying of Ashley Jackson – “Many people look but only a few see” – plus the artist’s signature, followed by the details of the partnership and sponsor.
- Standing around 6ft tall with a frame of approx 52” x 39”, the installation is constructed from uncoated steel to allow the frame to change with the environment.
