As part of We Shine’s mentorship programme, the Forged in Water audio-visual installation by Bristol’s Limbic Cinema did more than immerse viewers in surreal underwater worlds of artificial reefs —it offered transformative opportunities for emerging artists.
Limbic Cinema ran a masterclass and mentorship program at the Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality (CCIXR) at the university of Portsmouth. Here, local students learned how to create animations specifically designed for water projection. Under expert guidance, they explored new techniques and honed their storytelling skills.
These animations were showcased on a huge water screen in Hilsea moat, forming part of Limbic Cinema’s main water projection installation ‘Forged In Water,’– an exciting chance for them to contribute to a high-profile public art installation. By having their work showcased alongside that of Limbic Cinema, these young artists gained invaluable exposure and confidence, learning the impact of visual storytelling on audiences.
The mentorship opportunity went beyond visuals, incorporating music into the students’ projects via a collaboration with Portsmouth City Council’s Rant studio, a creative hub supporting young musicians in the city. Under the guidance of Paul Weston from Rant studio and Phoebé Guillemot, a Montreal based musician, Cameron Kirby, an aspiring local electronic music producer known as VESPER, was mentored to compose a soundtrack to accompany the Student’s visual production.
By bringing together the diverse talents of visual artists and musicians, the mentorship has broadened the students’ skill sets and created a vibrant interdisciplinary experience, illustrating the powerful synergy between audio and image.
Limbic Cinema’s hands-on approach teaches the importance of creativity and storytelling in immersive experiences. This journey also showcases the potential of public art to spark curiosity, challenge perceptions, and inspire creativity.
