Stuart Foster BDes, MDes

The founding principles of Stuart’s research are drawn from architecture, phenomenology of perception and haptic technologies. Immersive interactive art and design presented in public and or site-specific environments, that communicate cultural and social connectedness through innovative use of technology, interdisciplinary aesthetics and methodologies.  Stuart’s creation of artefacts, installations and curatorial practices, are to activate participatory space, alongside, textual and oral presentations. Stuart’s research aims are to produce innovative forms and experiences that pose new alternatives toward 21st century world ideas and insights that will influence ensuing values. 

‘Material Remains,’ an interactive national student exhibition at the 2011 Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and invitation as Co-curator for The Prague Quadrennial 2015 ‘PQ15’ (with Amanda Yates: AUT) for the NZ national exhibition ‘Ahua o te Rā-ngī’ demonstrate Fosters expertise in curatorial practice in cross-cultural spatial immersive design.

Foster achieves a wide range of high-level digital based experimental and exploratory projects through collaboration with experts in their specialist fields.

Foster has also exhibited works such as ‘Micro-inhabitation’ with N. McLeod at Form Gallery Perth, 2013; exploring microscopic form and surface processed through gaming software.

‘Tipi-Rā-ngī’, for Scanz2013: 3rd nature, The ‘He māmā whenua’ and ‘Hīnātore’ projects for TEZA2013, plus “Ko Tatou te tangata’ for MAP2014 exemplify Foster’s innovative use of sound-carrying laser and LED lights within kaupapa-driven visual aural experiences within land-based environments. These were created with K.Puke and Te Matahiapo Research Organisation (http://www.tematahiapo.org.nz)

‘Tūrama pou’ for WgtnLUX:2013 highlight Foster’s data-responsive illuminated site-specific sculpture, while, ‘Robra/Arbor” for Art in the Dark, Akld, emphasize possibilities with light projection and software.  ‘Jeuplay’ for Performance Arcade, Akld Fringe and Awesome Festival in Australia exemplify highly effective interactive and reactive public installations.  These projects are one of many as a member of Interrupt Collective  http://interrupt-collective.blogspot.co.nz

‘Space an interactive artwork for The Edge Interactive Art Wall, Aotea Centre, Auckland and ‘Chirp’ for the ilight festival, Marina Bay Singapore in 2012 exemplify Foster’s innovative use of technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), camera vision and embedded sensors to provide audience interactivity within the context of exhibition and art installation environments.

In 2011, Foster received accolades at the Design Institute of New Zealand’s Best Awards, a gold pin for the set design of ‘Everything is Okay’ and a silver award for interactive installation ‘GeoPing’ .

Foster also works with digital fabrication technologies and  in 2013 received a Diploma of Digital Fabrication (Fab Academy: FabLab Network).  Commissions such as ‘Flitch’, with W.Neale  for the Research Institute of New Zealand http://www.fablabwgtn.co.nz/project-showcase demonstrate expertise in design, craftsmanship and contemporary construction technologies. Foster was acknowledged through his selection to exhibit ‘Splice’ in the internationally-profiled and curated exhibition 'Somewhat Different: Contemporary Design and the Powers of Convention' sponsored by the Goethe Institute.