Richard Downing

Since its foundation (1994) I have acted as Artistic Director for the interdisciplinary performance group U-Man Zoo, designing and directing twelve performances and installations prior to 2006 including Vision 20/20 (Glasgow Tramway, 1996) 32 Wardrobes (Project Arts, Dublin, 2001); and The Water Banquet (Grenland Friteater, 2003). This work has been supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Wales Arts International, the BBC, and the EU PACT (Performing Arts Co-operation and Touring) Scheme.

Since the exhibition of my practice-led research within the fields of Scenography, Performance and Installation (V&AMuseum, London 2007/08) my interest has been drawn, increasingly, towards interdisciplinary collaboration across arts/science boundaries. I am interested in the processes and methodologies employed within disciplines, and how these might inter-leave with (and inform) one another to advance knowledge and understanding: ultimately, a united and unifying common goal. On-going and emerging projects include collaborations with Professor Iain Donnison and Dr. Elaine Jensen (Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth) to develop sustainable energy solutions for the melting of glass, and research into the perception/reception of artistic installations with Dr. Alex Forsythe (Psychology, Liverpool) and ProfessorRichard Taylor(Physics, Oregon). I am also currently engaged in the collaborative preparation of a Departmental research initiative concerning Ecology, Performance and Location in association with Dr. Carl Lavery and the artist Simon Whitehead.