Arts-focused Freelance Creative Technologist
Ben Neal
"always at the cutting edge of technology, education and arts practice"
- Andrew Pearsall (BCU)
3/12
  • Outside Studios-Henry Stanleys Table-0
  • Outside Studios-Henry Stanleys Table-1
  • Outside Studios-Henry Stanleys Table-2
  • Outside Studios-Henry Stanleys Table-3
  • Outside Studios-Henry Stanleys Table-4
Outside Studios
Henry Stanleys Table
2019-2022

Made with Outside Studios, Henry Stanley's table is a seemingly normal wooden table that suddenly and magically comes to life with glowing text that appears and disappears across it's surface and sound from within. It retells the sad story of a man thrown on the mercy of the parish after the death of his mother and classified as an 'idiot from birth'. Behind the scenes custom software triggers audio and controls the fading of a series of large lightboxes hidden beneath the veneer that mysteriously illuminate the surface.

Seen as part of the permanent exhibition at The Workhouse (National Trust) in Southwell, Nottinghamshire

  • Stryx-Stryx VR-0
  • Stryx-Stryx VR-1
  • Stryx-Stryx VR-2
  • Stryx-Stryx VR-3
  • Stryx-Stryx VR-4
Stryx
Stryx VR
2021 - 2023

A Virtual version of the Stryx art gallery in Birmingham was recreated in VR. Available for the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset and also as an interactive website (tba). Stryx VR allows users to virtually visit the gallery examining paintings, 3D objects and 360 immersive videos. The gallery can be managed by staff through an online admin system allowing regular updates and new exhibitions to be created by uploading images, 3D objects and video files. Stryx have run a VR Residency programme for artists to introduce them to the medium, and creative practitioners have since produced work to be shown in the virtual space.

Available to install on Meta Quest headsets from the Meta AppLab Store : https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/3811430748954051/

  • Hervisions-Dazed Live-0
  • Hervisions-Dazed Live-1
  • Hervisions-Dazed Live-2
  • Hervisions-Dazed Live-3
  • Hervisions-Dazed Live-4
Hervisions
Dazed Live
2021

In a collaboration between Psicon Lab, curator Zaiba Jabbar (Hervisions), Dazed magazine and musician CKTRL - a sound responsive, flowing, cloth simulation was created in Unity that responded in realtime to a saxophone. A delicate cloth cape or flag rippled, flowed and twisted as music was played to create an immersive, breath powered, meditative experience for a live audience at a Dazed Live event.

Seen at the Dazed Live event at 180 The Strand in London on 9-10-2021

3/12
"always at the cutting edge of technology, education and arts practice"
- Andrew Pearsall (Birmingham City University)
"continually exceeded my original design brief"
- Tony Coleman, VJ (TheLAB)
"expert advice and solutions"
- Shayal Chhibber, PHD student
"easy to communicate with, very creative, extremely reliable...
good value for money"
- Dr. C. Samantha Porter (Loughborough University)
"a talented and consummate creative force, and a pleasure to work with'"
- Shaun Kelly, Musician (The Lights)
"passion & enthusiasm for projects & challenges...
an invaluable contact"
- Charlie Levine, Arts Curator
"understands... no matter how bizarre or impossible the task"
- Nat Pitt, Gallery Owner (Pitt Studio)
"...an extremely talented, versatile creative ...very proficient..."
- Matt Robinson, Artist (Jin Pow)
"made it possible ...thanks to his computer wizardry."
- Will Parker, Artist (World of Parker)
"stretching the boundries of what most people could conceive"
- Matthew Rowley, Associate
"very genuine passion about the work and the final product"
- Ria Butler, Manager (Eastern Garden)
"excellent creative input to improve on the original prototype"
- Matthew Head, PHD Student
"understood exactly what I needed."
- Sandra Graham, Artist
"we love working with him!"
- Louise Latter, Head of Programme (Birmingham Open Media)
"Creative and considered approach to multiple unknown challenges"
- Halina Dominska, Artist
"I'm consistently amazed by Ben's breadth of knowledge
and knack for finding creative solutions."
- Edie Jo Murray, Artist
"we have had lots of different art and tech opportunities
and we really have this first experience working with Ben to thank for that"
- Anna Horton, Artist (One Five West)
"great to collaborate with, creating some really inspiring work"
- Oliver Scott, Mercurial Dance
"His combination of artistic and technical skills are unique"
- John Sear, Real-World Game Designer (Museum Games)
"A fantastic collaborator. I recommend him highly"
- Kerryn Wise, Digital Dance Artist
"extremely professional to work with
- he made the complexities of technology clearly understandable"
- Chris Poolman, Artist (General Public)
"no matter how far it pushes the imagination - Ben can make it happen"
- Harmeet Chagger-Khan, Artist
"he creates magic"
- Seraina Dejaco, Dancer
"a creative, super-technician and natural educator we have enjoyed working with him over many years"
- Matt Hogan, Head of Operations (Ikon Gallery)
"an extremely knowledgeable artist and creative technologist, who went above and beyond our expectations
- Karolina Korupczynska (Stryx Gallery)
"his work is consistently a joy!"
- Nick Murray, Producer (Now Play This)
"responsive and generous with his skills and ideas.
He's always keen to innovate and push the limits"
- Sarah Martindale (Mixed Reality Lab, Nottingham University)
"The final work was fantastic... not only due to Ben's digital skills but to the time and commitment put into ensuring the work was high quality."
- Nick Slater(LU Arts)
"a very impressive problem solver...
caring and professional commitment to the project"
- Tyrone Huggins (Actor)
"Ben combines creativity and technical proficiency...
to get the best out of any idea."
- Baff Akoto (Artist)