Blast Theory is an artists' group that specializes in work that mixes interactive media, digital broadcasting and live performance.

Biography

The group was founded in 1991 by Matt Adams, Niki Jewett, Will Kittow and Ju Row Farr. The group is currently led by Matt Adams and Nick Tandavanitj. Ju Row Farr left her leadership role in 2023. Other members include the film maker John Hardwick and the late performer Jamie Iddon. Over its history, Blast Theory's work has explored interactivity and the social and political aspects of technology through a multitude of forms – using performance, installation, video, mobile and online technologies. Currently based at their studios in Portslade, Blast Theory shows work nationally and internationally, working with a number of Associate Artists on different projects. The group has collaborated with The University of Nottingham's Mixed Reality Lab since 1998. Works created collaboratively with the MRL include Desert Rain (1999), Can You See Me Now? (2001) and Rider Spoke (2007). Blast Theory's work has been shown at NTT InterCommunication Center (ICC) in Tokyo, the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Biennale, National Museum in Taiwan, Hebbel Theater in Berlin, Basel Art Fair, Dutch Electronic Arts Festival, Sónar Festival in Barcelona, and Palestine International Video Festival. Commissions include You Get Me (2008) at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Ulrike and Eamon Compliant (2009) for the De La Warr Pavilion at the 53rd Venice Biennale; Spit Spreads Death: The Parade (2019) for the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia and We Cut Through Dust (2023) for the Manchester International Festival. In 2015 the group launched Karen, an app that psychologically profiles the user.

Approach

Blast Theory's artists describe their work as collaborative and interdisciplinary. Their practice mixes games design, interaction design, installation and performance. Early works such as Gunmen Kill Three (1991) and Chemical Wedding (1994) fitted more in the category of live and performance art. Kidnap (1998) was a lottery inspired by the Spanner Trial in which participants paid for a chance to be kidnapped by the group. It was presented via video streaming. Desert Rain (1999) was a large scale virtual reality game that saw a shift towards work that questions performativity, site and presence. Blast Theory were pioneers in location based art and mixed reality with works such as Can You See Me Now? (2001) and Uncle Roy All Around You (2003).

Reception

Blast Theory's work has been influential in the fields of theatre, indie games, ARGs and mobile design. Desert Rain was described as ""one of the most complex and powerful responses to the first Gulf War to be produced within the sphere of theatrical practice" and "possibly the most technologically ambitious art installation ever made" in The Times. In 2023 We Cut Through Dust was selected as one of the best works at the Manchester International Festival by Frieze. In an article in The Guardian on artists using AI to "reclaim AI from Big Tech" Gabrielle Schwarz highlighted Cat Royale's exploration of trust in AI. Blast Theory's work has been featured in over 130 books and journals.

Notable works

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Selected awards

Key reading