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Photo Fringe invited artists using digital technology to propose an innovative, participation-led, lens-based project engaging audiences with this year’s festival theme of Real Utopias.

Anne-Marie Atkinson’s new work brings often excluded voices into conversations around new or alternative futures. The artist invited learning disabled people and the people who work with them from around the world, to create photographic and art-based responses to the Photo Fringe 2022 theme of Real Utopias. She also worked directly with groups in Leeds, through the organisations Pyramid and Hamara. She received a total of 120 artworks from 81 people. The individual contributions were then brought together through digital collage.

The piece compresses multiple perspectives together (literally and figuratively) in a single frame, destabilising the privileged viewpoint associated with the camera lens. The collage is housed online and is coded to drop the different components into place randomly, creating unexpected juxtapositions, clashes, and harmonies. Continually cycling through this process, the resulting image is ever-evolving and provides a unique experience for each visitor. During the Photo Fringe festival, the collage is also presented as a projection at Brighton CCA, Dorset Place. The title, 632700, refers to the number of possible permutations.

With thanks to Pyramid (Leeds) for their logistical support early in the project and James from Black Shuck for his technical expertise.

Contributors:

Abid, Adam Galliford, Alice Burford, Amy Armstrong, Andrew, Aqsa, Barrie, Becky, Billie, Bradley B, Candice Swallow, Camilla Eriksson Gonzalez, Cassy Oliphant, Charlie, Chloe Mcfarlane, Chris, Clare Reavey, Collette, Connor Gavin, Dan, Daniel Bennet, Daniel Fox, Darren Tyreman, David Cheung, David Rushworth, Dawn Ward, Eddie Martin, Elizabeth,Emma, Emily, Emlyn Scott, Erin Docherty, Ewan Hodos, Finn, Georgia, Hannah, Hannah Williams, Hussain, Ian Cockburn, Ila Thornley, Jacquie Cheng, Jasmine, Josh Pedley Cook, Katie, Karen Hood, Kasam, Kirsty Pemberton, Liaqat, Louise H, Lucy, Mandip,Mari, Marianne, Matthew Watson, Mazhar, Michael Conway, Murry, Nigel, Nigel Hutton, Owen Packham-Shah, Parveen, Phillip Chapman, Poppy, Rachel Coultrup, Rakhar, Raza, Richard, Richard Modby, Rosie McAndrew, Saeed, Sally Hirst, Stacey Foster, Stephen Crawford, Stuart Illingworth, Tina Dempsy, Tony, Tony Holmes, William Stapleton, Yaz West, Yo, Zoe

OPEN Digital was mentored by James Wreford of Black Shuck Cooperative; Monica Alcazar- Duarte and Kay Watson, both Photo Fringe Trustees.

Photo Fringe OPEN Digital selection panel

- Monica Alcazar-Duarte, artist and Photo Fringe Trustee
- Natalie Mitchell, Assistant Curator, Studio Voltaire
- Sam Mercer, Producer, Digital Programme, The Photographers’ Gallery
- Kay Watson, Head of Arts Technology, Serpentine (maternity leave) and Photo Fringe Trustee
- Claire Wearn, Festival Director, Photo Fringe
- James Wreford, Black Shuck Cooperative
- Polly Wright, Programme Producer, Brighton CCA

Anne-Marie Atkinson’s interdisciplinary practice includes photography, installation, drawing, & digital media with a socially engaged focus. She collaborates with people from all walks of life, including those who are underrepresented in the arts, and proactively addresses a wide range of access needs to enhance inclusion. She is a lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University.

BA (hons) Photography (2011) – Leeds Arts University
PG Cert Inclusive Arts Practice (2016) – University of Brighton
MFA Collaborative Practices (2018) – Manchester Metropolitan University