What will writing look like in 50 years? What role will authors play in the future?
In the fiftieth anniversary year of the UEA Creative Writing programme, the Future and Form research project explores the interface between contemporary literature and creative technology.
Full details and updates can be found on the newly launched project website: https://futureandform.net
Generously supported by Arts Council England, the aim of the project is to explore how collaboration with creative technologies changes the role of the author, how these new mediums might facilitate changes in perceptions of the literary, and how digital forms might foster greater inclusivity.
We will investigate how multi-modal forms of writing can extend the practices of authorship and readership, consider how far the works push the boundaries of literary form, and seek to understand how audiences experience new forms of literature.
Future and Form brings together UEA alumni Ayòbámi Adébáyò (pictured), Mona Arshi, Tash Aw, Imogen Hermes Gowar, Mitch Johnson and James McDermott with UEA faculty, creative technologists, cultural organisations and schools to explore the relationship between contemporary literature, creative technology and space. The project aims to increase engagement with literature among new and traditionally hard-to-reach audiences, while providing prototypes for possible literary futures.
The resulting work will be exhibited in a series of virtual and physical installations in May 2021. Cultural partners are National Centre for Writing, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, The Forum Trust, Norwich Millennium Library with Norfolk County Library and Information Service, Norwich Theatre Royal, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk Museum Service with Norwich Castle Museum, Ormiston Academies Trust, British Archive for Contemporary Writing and the Sainsbury Centre.
Technology partners are Mutiny and Guildhall Live Events, with support from GRIT, Immersive Studios and StoryFutures Academy.
This highly innovative and exciting landmark project has been in development since April 2020, leading to the exhibition in spring 2021.
For more on CW50: www.newwriting.net/subjects/cw50