Urban Projections create projects, workshops and performances that utilise media in creative ways.... Simple!
From lo-tech pieces of string and cardboard to the latest audio visual applications and hardware - We specialise in combining hands-on creative activities with cutting edge multimedia application, to deliver stunning mixed media products.
Urban Projections are passionate about delivering accessible arts projects, workshops and performances that enable individuals to interact with multimedia in fun and exciting ways.
Our work spans live performance, exhibitions, installations, film, motion graphics, print and photography.
Ever wondered what it's like to feel music or hear colours?
Sense is an experimental audio visual research project designed to enable individuals with hearing impairments, deafness and / or sightloss to experience multimedia content. Designed for use by VJ's and Multimedia Artists, Sense hopes to make live AV performance accessible to a wider audience. Check out the 'portfolio' section for more info.
Workshops & Projects:
Urban Projections specialise in working in collaboration with young people from varied backgrounds and with complex needs. Our work utilises cross boundary multimedia to produce creative, mixed media products, and can tailor sessions to specific requirements or needs.
URBAN PROJECTIONS Jan Live VJ Mix
The first in the installment of the monthly live VJ mixes from Urban Projections, utilising footage that has inspired and interested us. This particular mix came about from an experiment during the Detonate NYE event, in which we had 10 hours of live VJing to mash-up and play around with clips..... enjoy!
Animation - VJing - Film - Graphic Design - DJ Skills - Music Production - Installations - Live Performance - Workshops - Print - Web Design - Turntablism - Courses - Exhibitions - Photography - Digital Arts - Motion Graphics - Pod Casts - Pushing Boundaries............
Urban Projections provide innovative performance opportunities, workshops and creative projects to organisations throughout the UK. With a solid knowledge and expertise in new digital subjects, Urban Projections has the experience and resources to deliver engaging creative projects to inspire and educate.
Our aim is to to produce high quality, creative products as a result of the projects, workshops and events in which we are involved.
Urban Projections encourages cross boundary arts, and uses the following skills to deliver their work;
Urban Projections is managed by Artist and Facilitator Rebecca Smith. With over ten years experience as a professional audio-visual performer, Rebecca has lead high quality, cross-boundry arts projects, workshops, courses and seminars at both educational institutions and from within the community.
Sharing her enthusiasm and passion for arts and technology Rebecca actively encourages new and creative ways of learning.
Check out Rebecca's latest performances at the Child Of The Calculator home page.
Audio Production VJ Skills Photography
Film Making Animation DJ Skills Graphic Design Live Audio Visuals Performance
Urban Projections worked with The British Red Cross, Nottinghamshire County Youth Arts and young people from Redhill Youth Centre, to produce a series of prints based on the story of a young Ugandan Refugee. The young people used graphic design and photography skills to create a response to a session learning about asylum seekers and refugees, with a young person currently seeking residence in the UK.
The sessions also took part around Nottinghamshire with artists from other disciplines, but all with the same brief; to create x10 A4 prints containing a word in response to the session. The completed works from all of the groups will tour libraries, galleries and venues within Nottinghamshire, as well as a European tour in 2012.
Urban Projections worked together with the BBC Blast U.K tour, to provide young people aged 13 - 19 the opportunity to work with professional artists, to learn skills in both DJing,Turntablism and VJing. The workshops covered the basic skills of each art form, and finished with a short performance, which was recorded and given to the young people on a USB wristband.
Check out the Videos created by the young people who took part in the two hour VJ workshop. To find out more and view more inspirational work by the young people, visit: www.bbc.co.uk/blast
Urban Projections passionately believe that all art forms and types of performance should be fully accessible regardless of an individuals needs or background. In 2010 Urban Projections began a pilot research project under Leicester De Montfort University, with support from Livid Instruments & Resolume Avenue, to design and produce a bank of audio visual clips for live VJ use. The clips were designed in consultation with individuals identifying as having;
Sight loss or Blindness / Hearing loss or Deafness / Learning disabilities
Work on the project and research document continues, with the aim of making the footage available for release in the near future. Check out the development presentation below for more information.
Urban Projections work closely with Plug Promotions, a collective of young people, who work to promote and run inspiring music and creative events. Plug run regular nights for other young people, that push the boundaries of live music in a creative, visual environment. Urban projections support the group to create and perform their own visuals, design publicity, create & maintain a web presence and generate ideas for future projects. The group is supported by Nottinghamshire County Youth Arts and operates from The Old Library Venue & Media Centre, Mansfield. If you are between 13 - 19 and would like to get involved, e-mail: Jen.saint_nottscc.gov.uk
BATTLE OF THE BANDS 2011
Urban Projections hooked up with Plug Promotions to stage the 2011 Battle Of The Bands. Urban Projections worked with the group to create visuals & decor for the event and ran workshops in on-line & gorilla promotion methods. The Battle Of The Bands heats & final had a festival theme, as the winners - In Hindsight - took home a slot at the 2011 Headstock Festival. For more information, visit:
www.headstockfestival.com
Urban Projections worked with students from Portland Training College, Nottinghamshire. Portland College is a vibrant national college for students with a wide range of disabilities. Urban Projections worked with a group of students to create imagery and learn skills in photography, VJ skills, animation, graphic design, performance skills and music technology. The material was performed by the students in a series of live, large-scale projections at venues in Nottinghamshire. Choreographer Emma Cotton worked with the young people to incorporate live dance and movement into the piece. The project was supported by artist Adrian Hazard and Nottinghamshire County Youth Arts.
Urban Projections worked in collaboration with AV artist, Morgan Caney, and Choreographer, Emma Cotton, to create a live audio visual performance, with young people from the Nottinghamshire Area. The project explored issues of mental health and well being with both artists and healthcare professionals using mixed media and creative writing workshops.
The final performance was held at the Old Library Venue & Media Centre, attracting a large and varied crowd. This video shows an excerpt of the Hearts & Minds performance, with all aspects of the audio, visuals, soundtrack and dance created and performed live, by the young people themselves.
Urban Projections were invited by friends ‘Urban Canvas’, to provide live visuals for their Graffiti Academy Night Live, at Donut Creative Arts Studio, Chesterfield. The night saw a mixture of live mural creation, interactive visuals and Sounds provided by DJ's from the Drop Inn.
Check out the ace work of Urban Canvas by visiting: www.urbancanvas.co.uk
Check out the work of The Drop Inn, foundation for youth innovtion, by visiting: www.thedropinn.org
Urban Projections create and perform live visuals for the wonderful sounds of Swimming signed to Tummy Touch Records.
Described as "One of the most refreshing acts to have emerged from the UK in 2008, Swimming are rapidly developing a devoted fanbase on the basis of their intense and mesmerizing live shows. Artfully blending the power and and energy of Pixies with the ambient soundscapes of Boards Of Canada, their talent for sonic experimentation never detracts from their innate gift for melody.
The visuals are based upon old cinecam footage and follow naturalistic themes. Below is a selection of images from the gig at The Royal Festival Hall, supporting Killing Joke. Check out swimmings latest tour dates by visiting www.swimmingband.com
Urban Projections specialise in the live performance of visuals and new media for;
Nightclubs
Stage performance
Art Installations
Theatre
Interactive Media Projects
Festivals
Outdoor Projection
Dance performance
Their unique approach and creativity with graphic media, film and real-time interaction creates bespoke products for audio visual events. With a solid knowledge and understanding of the latest
AV systems and programmes, Urban Projections are able to deliver stunning, live, mixed-media products. Urban Projections have experience in performing in venues of all shapes, sizes and capacity, including;
Royal Festival Hall - South Bank Cenre, London
The Round House - Camden, London
Nottingham Contemporary
XOYO - London
Rock City & The Rescue Rooms - Nottingham
The Hoxton - Shoreditch, London
Urban Projections has provided live visuals for artists including;
DJ Fresh
Sub Focus
Hype
Friction
The Prototypes
Toddla T
Ms Dynamite
ECSTATICS INTERNATAIONAL // NOTTINGHAM CONTEMPORARY
Urban Projections are accompanying friends Swimming to their London and Nottingham album launch dates, to provide live visuals for tracks from Ecstatics International. It would be lovely to see you in our home town - Nottingham Contemporary, 25th November - Admission free.
PLUG LIVE
Urban Projections are supporting young people from the Media mashup group to perform live visuals at the monthly Plug LIVE events, held at The Old Library Venue & Media Center, Mansfield. For more information, check out the Plug Promotions Facebook page.
ST GILES SCHOOL, RETFORD
Urban Projections are very excited to be working with Post 16 students from St Giles School, Retford. They will be working towards producing material for a large scale installation incorporating work from groups all over Nottinghamshire.
CAUDWELL HOUSE VJ & MUSIC PRODUCTION PROJECT
Urban Projections will be working with young people from Caudwell House, Southwell, to create an audio-visual performance to be shown at Showcase 2012 at the Mansfield Palace Theater. Caudwell House is a residential childrens home for young people with complex needs.
MANSFELD DEAF CLUB DJ WORKSHOPS
Urban Projections are working with young people from the Mansfield Deaf Club to experiment with music production techniques and DJ skills. A six week project will explore visual beatmatching techniques, audio for the deaf and experimental ways of visualising sound.
TUMMY TOUCH RECORDS 15th BIRTHDAY - XOYO
Urban Projections provided visuals for Swimmng at Tummy Touch Records 15th birthday bash, XOYO - Shoreditch.
ARTS AWARD CENTER
Urban Projections have completed the training required in order to become a certified Center for the Arts Award. This means that young people will be able to gain certification for the arts projects that they are involved in. - Extra thanks to Notts DST for putting on the course. For more information, click HERE.
We love lots of things to do with media, music, technology and creativity. So we thought that we would share some resources with you, that you might find useful! Check out the links below and please give us feedback!
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and music using turntables, CD decks or a digital interface. In it's most simple form, most of us know turntablism as scratching - traditionally using a vinyl record, turntable and mixer. Turntablism and a love for DJing is what first started Urban Projections, so we thought we would hand this resource over to Creative Director Bec Smith.
"This resource is one for the DJ's out there who already have a good skill level and are looking to put together some different combinations on a slightly pacier beat. I learnt to scratch by 'shadowing' the scratches of other DJ's around me. Shadowing is where a DJ will scratch a bar or two and it is then up to you to repeat it straight back on the next 4 beats. It helps hone your skills to understand how different phrases and combinations are put together, and tests you to have to do it on the fly. I used to practice this for hours with other DJ's in the studio. It also keeps you fresh and stops your combinations from becoming stale or repetitive.
I have put together a short video of me scratching over 4 beats. These beats are counted for you on the screen. Immediately after the 4th beat, you must copy my scratch. The process is repeated throughout the video.
The combinations use cuts, stabs, chirps and drag backs. I love these patterns for scratching over house, breaks etc. - Enjoy!"
Are you a digital DJ? Click HERE to download a free scratch sample collection
Are you a vinyl purist? Click HERE to purchase a copy of Super Seal Breaks
Add your comments, tips, tricks and techniques here !
Urban Projections run DJ, turntablism and scratching workshops, courses and taster sessions for all abilities and ages. For more information, contact Info_urbanprojections.com or visit the contact page.
VJ Guides / software / Free Clips and more (just give us a bit!)
We have had the privilidge and pleasure of working with many organisations, artists, festivals, events and creative people. Here is a list of folks who do great things..... and are our friends!
SWIMMING // Creators of music so beautiful it will make your ears weep with delight.
URBAN CANVAS // By name you would think they are relatives - alas, they are not.
THE PETEBOX // He's a right good Beatboxer.
HEADSTOCK FESTIVAL // Great local, not-for-profit fesitval with ace line-up.
HELENA GOUGH // An amazing lady doing amazing things with sound waves.
RESOLUME AVENUE // The bestest VJ software and software developers around.
DALLAS SIMPSON // Quite simply a genious of binaural science in a very beautiful way.
WE SHOW UP ON RADAR // Music to make you realise everythings ok after all.
GAME CITY // The 2nd largest gaming festival ever and it's in Nottingham - Yay!
KDA DESIGN // Fantastical design & photography. Give your eyes a treat.
RONIKA // The lady with a voice.
THE DROP INN // Amazing youth organisation.
LIVID INSTRUMENTS // Makers of the finest MIDI controllers... "With wood and everything!"
Drop us a Line...
If you would like to contact Urban Projections, Please fill in the contact form OR;
E-mail: Info_urbanprojections.com
Tel: (+00 44) 07967 910503
Alternatively, you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, events, gigs, performances and projects by hooking up with us on:
We look forward to hearing from you..........
GROW-A-MO MOUSTACHE PARTY
Urban Projections are working with Plug Promotions and Nottinghamshire County Youth Arts to host the ultimate under 18 event.... The Grow-a-Mo Moustache party on Friday 10th June. Expect interactive visuals, quality live bands and a LOT of moustaches. Check out the Facebook events page for more info
GRAFFITI ACADEMY NIGHT LIVE
Urban Projections hooked up with our friends Urban Canvas and the Drop Inn, to provide visuals for The Academy Night Live at Donut Creative Arts Sutudio. Check out the video of night by clicking HERE
BRITISH RED CROSS
Urban Projections are excited and very proud to be working on a project with the British Red Cross, to create a series of touring digital artwork in reponse to the story of a young Ugandon Refugee. The pieces will be touring Nottinghamshire venues and libraries, and will then move on to a series of european venues.
THE HOXTON, SHOREDITCH
Urban Projections once again hooked up with our old friends Swimming, for a night of fun and frolics at The Hoxton, Shoreditch. It was an ace evening... we especially liked the sounds of support band Plant Plants - Keep an eye out for them, BIG tings!
ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL - 1st April 2011
Urban Projections provided live visuals for 'Swimming' at London's South Bank Centre's - Royal Festival Hall. The gig was the final in the UK tour supporting the legendary 'Killing Joke'. A packed out venue of 2500 people - Awesome. If you haven't yet heard the wonderful delights of 'Swimming', check them out by clicking HERE.
THE PLEDGE - 10th March 2011 (on going)
Urban Projections are working with artists Pete Barber & Ron Sampson, to create a multimedia representation of The Pledge document, created by Nottinghamshire County Council. The document is a set of promises made to children and young people in looked after care. Audio and visuals are being created by young people across the county in care, and will be compiled into a DVD ROM very soon.
SPIRITS PROJECT - 3rd March 2011
Urban Projections ran a VJ workshop for the Nottinghamshire based 'Spirits Project', managed by the Nottinghamshire Crime & Disorder Team. The session examined the role of a club VJ, equiping participants with the techniques needed to produce their very own LIVE VJ mix. The group were fantastic and it was truely sad to see that it was their last ever session together, due to funding cuts. A big high five to everyone involved!
ROUNDHOUSE WITH SWIMMING - 25th February 2011
Urban Projections joined forces with the delightful Swimming at their gig at the 'Round House Rising' Festival, Camden, to give extra visualisation to their already beautifully looking music. It was a fantastical end to a very busy and exciting week! Check out more about Swimming by clicking HERE.
BRING THA NOISE - 24th February 2011
