Wednesday 22 June 2016 – Lunchtime seminar with Amelia Knowlson (C3RI PhD student)

Title: Co-creation and curators – developing 3D printed museum objects with museum professionals at Museums Sheffield
Speaker: Amelia Knowlson (C3RI PhD student)

Amelia Knowlson is a PhD researcher and Sheffield Hallam and freelance curator, specialising in 3D print and capture technology. Using user centred methods she works with museums across the UK to examine how and why 3D printing effects museum policy, practice and audiences. Before starting her PhD, Amelia was a Research Assistant on the AHRC project ‘Co-curate’ at Newcastle University where she engaged communities in the production of 3D printed workshops and exhibitions.

Amelia has built a strong reputation of working with museums where, as a freelance curator she has led workshops and curated exhibitions using 3D print and capture technology. She has worked with The Laing Art Gallery, The Centre for Life and The Great North Museum. For Amelia, 3D printing is a vital tool for future engagements within museums and this belief has influenced all aspects of her academic and practical work. At present, she is one of the project leads on the Art Catalyst funded project ‘Please Touch’ which seeks to co-design multisensory interactives with Museums Sheffield and The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind.

Amelia will present findings from her recent acclimatisation project as part of her PhD project ‘The Printed Museum: 3D printing’s effect on museum policy, practice and audience’. The study exposes curators at Museums Sheffield to the intricate processes of 3D printing and scanning, in a bid to co-produce a visual and physical archive of replicated museum objects.

The 3D printing process transforms museum objects into contemporary manufactured objects, blurring the boundaries of design. Their form is historical while their materiality is contemporary. The presentation of this study, its construction and realisation of museum objects in a contemporary and digital frame changed or augmented the political and social environment within the museums.

The acclimatisation study forms the initial part of Amelia’s PhD the results of which will be used to support audiences’ workshops and interviews with museum professionals in site based research at a regional, national and international museum.

1.00PM – 2.00PM
WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE 2016
CANTOR 9138

See here for details of other seminars in the series.

All SHU staff and students are welcome to attend the C3RI Lunchtime Research Seminars. If you are from outside of the University and would like to attend a seminar, please email C3RI Administrator to arrange entry.