Techno Tyros

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In 1998, People Express developed a small project called Tea. Toast and Technology (T3), it’s aim was to introduce older people to the creative potential of new technology. The project involved 30 participants, including active and independent older people and frail older people living in residential homes. They worked with a leading digital artist to create their own artwork on the theme of ‘love’. To guide the project People Express set up and supported a Steering Group, that met regularly at The Dales Home in Repton. At it’s height the Group had 16 older people on it, participants ages ranged from over 60’s to 92. As a Group, with the artist and People Express, we discussed and agreed all aspects of the project.

Although T3 was small and only in South Derbyshire, word of it spread, quite unexpectedly, nationally and internationally. Over the following two years People Express, the artist and participants gave presentations at Age Concern’s National Conference, at Arts Council regional events, as part of The Tate Modern’s programme of talks and at a digital arts event in Manchester. More recently Japanese students, visiting the UK to study participatory arts, met some of the T3 participants and with a grant from the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, the project attended an international conference in Tokyo as an example of best practice.

Techno Tyros Digital Artwork (click on photo to see larger image of artwork or view all images as slide show).