In 2010 FoAM expanded the residency programme to include people of all ages. The first experiment was having a "Family in Residence" (FIR), welcoming Alex Davies, Alexandra Crosby and their young son Luka Davies for a three month long residency at FoAM in Brussels. The experience was extremely positive and we concluded that it is an experiment worth continuing.
FoAM's burgeoning intergenerational residency programme, combined with Alex and Ali's experiment in parenting has produced some interesting results. Alex investigates mixed reality artworks, that have lately included combining physical mechanisms with digital content. This technique lead to the construction of a 'Robotic Au Pair' for Luka as one of the outcomes of the residency. 'Robaupair' is a bricolage experiment in hands-free parenting. It has also been a way to reconsider the challenges of family as a creative adventure, as much as a set of duties.
The residency ended in a research gathering where the family demonstrated their Robotic Au-Pair, shared their experiences with other creative parents, and included the 'Dumpling Hour', now nearly a tradition instituted by Alex, that is likely to continue for the years to come.
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Alex Davies is a Sydney artist, until recently based in Austria working with Time’s Up (http://www.timesup.org). Alex was awarded a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours from the College of Fine Arts, University of N.S.W (2001), where he is now a PhD Candidate. His current practice is based around the development of evolving audio-visual installations in which individuals and dynamic environmental factors shift the conditions of a controlled space. http://schizophonia.com/
Alexandra Crosby is a writer, researcher and designer. She recently edited an anthology, /re:Publik, Indonesia-Australia Creative Adventures/, and is a founding member of feminist noise bands Sok Bakso and Total Ibu. She is now completing a phD on creative approaches to environmental issues in Java. She also works for EngageMedia. http://www.alimander.com/ http://www.engagemedia.org/
Luka Davies came to FoAM when he was three weeks old. Despite much encouragement and practice on the FoAM kitchen bench, by the time he left in February 2010, he couldn't quite crawl yet. He did, however, dribble and babble prolifically.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alimander/sets/72157622615947811/
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