My Research Makespace: Laser-scanning for PHX [X is for Xylonite]

Member Events Research Events

Our informal research events for members. Each evening will feature a UCL researcher and how they navigate the Makespace to develop their academic work.

This month features Frances Scott, an artist working with moving image, presented through screenings, installations, events and publications. Her work considers material that exists around the periphery of cinematic production and its apparatus. Frances' work has been screened and exhibited at the 57th New York Film Festival, Tate St Ives, Close Up Film Centre London, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Whitechapel Gallery.

At our event, Frances will screen her new film PHX [X is for Xylonite]. Frances worked at the Institute of Making over a number of weeks to produce three dimensional laser scans, which would become animated forms in the final work. Following the screening, she will be in conversation with Natasha Vicars, Project Manager for the Bow Arts 'Raw Materials: Plastics', and the technician team at the Institute of Making to discuss how she made use of the Makespace to further her research through making.

Frances' film, PHX [X is for Xylonite], explores the first semi-synthetic plastic - cellulose nitrate - through its development of photography and film; until the mid-20th century cellulose nitrate was used as the base for film-stock, and elsewhere in props production. Collaging digital animation with hand-processed 16mm film, Frances explores plastics as strata; so that the layers that make up film - its emulsion and substrate - are made evident; like its material seams that will, in future sedimentary rock layers, signal our Anthropocene era and its flawed capitalist productions.

PHX [X is for Xylonite] was commissioned as part of Bow Arts heritage project 'Raw Materials: Plastics', with generous support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and University College London.

Images courtesy of Frances Scott