Thank you to Tess Oldfield for joining us for Immersive Conversations!
As both a Fairgrounds St. Pete artist and one of our Creative Technology Interns she is able to use her unique talents to enhance and shape the Fairgrounds experience. As part of our Technology team, she has grown as an artist, increased her knowledge in creative coding and expanded her understanding of what’s possible when combining art and tech.
Building on her background of creating expansive sensory experiences and immersive environments, Tess’s work for Fairgrounds, L O L, is a constellation-like hanging installation that combines micro-controllers, LEDs, and cast porcelain that replicated the phonetic forms the mouth makes when pronouncing “L” and “O.”
In her art practice, Tess creates expansive sensory experiences and immersive environments. She draws from her background in intensive study of classical vocal and instrumental music to develop installations that explore the relationship between sound, light and the physical world through the creation of unique ceramic vessels.
Slip cast porcelain vessels, LEDs modulated with Arduino microcontroller board, Installation
From a young age, Tess considered herself synesthetic with the ability to see light as sound. When she sings, Tess sees light which allows her to visually experience the temporal nature of both sound and light. This unique ability has inspired her to create ceramic works that mimic the interplay between the movement of these often unseen elements and brings them into the physical world. By utilizing translucent porcelain, Tess harnesses the physical characteristics so that light emanates through and releases a sound similar to a voice or a horn. Ever the innovator, Tess uses technology to enhance her work using tech to control light and emulate breath and tone to engage multiple senses.
Wood Fired porcelain
Slip cast porcelain, LEDs modulated with Arduino microcontroller board
“Working as part of the tech team has been a great experience in continuing my education of learning new emerging technologies. Prior to working at Fairgrounds St. Pete, I was teaching myself Arduino from online tutorials and didn’t know any other artists working with technology beyond 3D printing. Coming to work on a team of Creative Technologists was like a dream come true! Being part of integrating tech in creative ways to tell the narrative of Fairgrounds has been an extremely fun challenge! It has been great finding a community in St. Pete focused on the beauty of where immersive art, and tech collide.”
Creative Coding at Fairgrounds St. Pete
Tess, we are so excited for you and look forward to watching your practice and career evolve!
To view more of Tess’ work, check out: