Nicole Prior: Data Rooms

We are pleased to announce that Castlefield Gallery Associate Nicole Prior has created a new work to occupy the windows of Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces Wigan. The work has been commissioned by Castlefield Gallery and funded by Wigan Council as part of their cultural manifesto The Fire Within which launches its second phase this Saturday. The theme for 2020 – 21 is Digital Wigan and includes the exhibition We Will Always Be Together, curated by Al and Al, which explores a world where digital technologies have become more important than ever.

Data Rooms is inspired by the widespread but often unnoticed presence of surveillance technologies in the places we live and the electronic devices we use. Using security cameras, screens, projectors, mirrors and software patches, this work reflects back to us images of ourselves and others, and considers how interacting with different kinds of technology might affect our behaviour.

Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities and culture said: “In line with the borough’s cultural manifesto, The Fire Within, we’re committed to ensuring everyone can access arts and culture. It’s great that we can combine this ambition with the currently vacant Marks and Spencer unit in The Grand Arcade by working with Castlefield Gallery to occupy the space temporarily. We look forward to seeing how they will make the space their own and encourage members of the public to get involved. We’re also excited about the prospect of Castlefield Gallery complementing our new arts show in The Galleries, which visually explores how digital technologies have become instrumental parts of our lives.”

Data Rooms will be installed in the window spaces of Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces Wigan, a former Marks & Spencer store (11 Standishgate, Wigan, WN1 1UE) in two locations one facing Standishgate next to Caffe Nero and the other inside the Grand Arcade opposite Costa Coffee. If driving, you can park at the Grand Arcade Shopping Centre – all details including address here.

Please Note: No camera footage from this work will be recorded, all the data is shown in real time and will not be stored on any devices.

Data Rooms has been Commissioned by Castlefield Gallery and supported by Wigan Council