Conditions

Digital Lab Programme

Digital Lab Programme is a new programme within Conditions for 2023-24, building on the digital and live practices we have supported to date. The Digital Lab Programme is housed within the Conditions studios and is for artists who want to work experimentally with emerging 3D based technologies including VR and 3D Printing. The programme provides facilities, technical support, and critical engagement to develop new work.

Artists on the Digital Lab Programme will receive mentorship (online) from Yuri Pattison, as well as access to the Conditions talks and Conditions X ICA programme. Practical skills workshops will be provided in: 3D printing and 3D modelling, Unity, VR, Motion Capture, Arduino / electronics.

The Digital Lab Programme thinks around, but not limited to: physical and virtual architecture, digital-twins, video-games, 3D CGI, kinetic sculpture, live moving image, digital fashion, and VR performances. This programme aims to offer an alternative model to working with creative digital technologies and multi-media art.

The programme participants will work in the Conditions Digital Lab at the Conditions studios and remotely online. There will be a shared workspace with 24/7 desk space and access to a range of relevant training, equipment and facilities. All talks, exhibition opportunities and the Conditions X ICA programme will be part of the Conditions Digital Lab programme, shared with artists on the Conditions Studio Programme.

Conditions Digital Programme is organised and led by former Conditions Artist Durril Weller and is supported by Matthew Noel-Tod and David Panos.

As part of the Croydon Creative Enterprise Zone, Conditions will connect with the forthcoming Creative Digital Lab also located in Croydon.

Conditions has an Associates Group who contribute to the programme.

Associates who have worked with the programme’s artists since 2018 include:
Rachal Bradley, Alice Channer, Ami Clarke, Paul Clinton, Benjamin Cook, Reiss Dendie, Cécile B. Evans, Pil & Galia Kollectiv, Danny Hayward, John Hill, Rebecca Jagoe, Ghislaine Leung, James Lewis, Jean Matthee, Sophio Medoidze, Jade Montserrat, Yuri Pattison, Clunie Reid, Tom Richards, Lou Lou Sainsbury, Sara Sassanelli, Benjamin Senior, They Are Here / Harun Morrison, Eve Stainton, Maija Timonen, Nikhil Vettukattil and Marina Vishmidt.

We have also hosted talks / workshops and studio visits from: Charlie Ashwell, Mark Leckey, Valerie Kong, Sean Roy Parker, Sofia Albina Novikoff Unger and Jamie Wyld.

As part of our multidisciplinary offering, Conditions offers access to digital facilities for VR and 3D printing with artist Durril Weller (former Conditions Artist 2018-2021). The Lab developed out of research undertaken by Durril during his time as a studio holder in Conditions and was begun in 2021-22 with contributions from Conditions Associates Yuri Pattison and Sara Sassanelli.

For artists on the Conditions Digital Lab Programme we provide:

• Motion Capture: Rokoko Suit & Gloves, Vive Motion Trackers

• VR headsets: Meta Quest 2, HTC Vive

• 3D Printers: Filament and Resin (affordable print rates)

• 3D Workstation: PC and Laptop

For artists on the Conditions Studio Programme we provide affordable 3D printing (filament and resin)

For 2023-24 Conditions will be in partnership with the ICA, continuing the partnership from 2022-23. Conditions will host one programme event per month for Conditions artists at the ICA. Guests for the 2023 - 24 Conditions X ICA programme are:

Keiken, Tzekin, Malik Nashad Sharpe, Gary Zhexi Zhang, Frances Morgan, Paul Purgas, Louis Schou-Hansen, Tautvydas Urbelis, Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, Ben Rivers

Conditions X ICA is facilitated by Sara Sassanelli, Conditions Associate and ICA Curator of Live.

Read more about the ICA

Conditions studio holders will also have access to guest list tickets for some events in the wider ICA programme throughout the year.

Guests for the previous year’s Conditions X ICA programme 2022-23 were: Mark Leckey, Tabitha Thorlu-Bangura, Perwana Nazif, Danny Bushes (Two Way Dreaming), Eve Stainton, Rachal Bradley, Tai Shani, Joseph Funnell, Jared Davis, Kelman Duran and Marina Vishmidt.

16 August 2023 at 11.59pm deadline for applications for 2023-24

6 - 15 September 2023 shortlisted artists interviews at Conditions
22 September 2023 offers made
1 November 2023 programme starts / studios move in
31 October 2024 programme ends

Conditions Studio Programme activities are on Mondays 11am - 5pm
Conditions Digital Lab Programme activities are on Tuesdays 11am - 5pm
Conditions X ICA events are on Tuesdays or Wednesdays (see dates below).
On a few occasions there will be variation with programme days.

Conditions runs for 12 months from 1 November 2023
Programme runs during these weeks on Mondays and Tuesdays:
Period 1: 1 November 2023 – 12 December 2023
13 December - 14 January programme break
Period 2: 15 January 2024 – 26 March 2024
27 March - 21 April programme break
Period 3: 22 April 2024 - 24 July 2024
25 July - 9 September programme break
Period 4: 9 September 2024 - 31 October 2024 (exhibition period)

Studios are open 24/7 year round.

Conditions X ICA sessions are:
Tues 14 Nov 5pm - 8pm
Weds 29 Nov 6pm - 8pm
Tues 12 Dec 2pm - 4pm
Tues 30 Jan 2pm - 4pm
Weds 28 Feb 6pm - 8pm
Tues 26 Mar 2pm - 8pm
Tues 23 April 2pm - 4pm
Tues 28 May 2pm - 4pm
Weds 26 June 6pm-8pm
Weds 24 July 6pm-8pm

The cost is:
£280 per month for the Studio Programme (up to 28 places)
£280 per month for the Digital Lab Programme (up to 8 places)
Each programme offers a different provision with a shared schedule of artist talks, events and group exhibitions.

The cost is based on a comparative London studio space, with the enhanced offer of a directed supportive studio programme and framework for public exhibitions and public engagement of the cohort.

Each participant is required to pay £280 on the 1st of each month. A fully refundable deposit of £280 is required on commencing the period. We regret that we do not have the ability to offer any free or discounted places, but we have aimed to keep costs as low as possible.

Conditions Studio Programme has fixed individual studio spaces approximately 2.7m x 2.7m x 2.7m

Conditions Digital Lab Programme offers a shared workspace with access to all digital facilities listed, plus technical support. It does not offer a fixed individual workspace.

 What is included in Conditions?

• 24/7 studio space*

• Project space in studios at 89 Gloucester Road

• Regular critical dialogues on work, guest artists, events

• Group exhibitions / events

• Access to ICA events

• Access to self-contained edit / sound room

• Affordable 3D printing

• Internet

• AV (video, sound) equipment for presenting work

• Electricity

• Kitchenette and WC

*project space will be used for talks, workshops and Conditions events and some public events, e.g. Open Studios, by prior arrangement.

What is not included?

• Materials for the production of work

• The studio is a work place only, not live/work

• The programme is not accredited and does not confer any award, e.g. MA

• We seek applications from artists (not limited to fine art, but including fashion, music, design, etc.) with demonstrable existing practice.

• No formal prior educational qualification required, but we would expect a level of experience and (self) learning equivalent to undergraduate Further / Higher Education, plus evidence of independent practice.

• A brief application statement that demonstrates a shared interest in the ethos of the programme. Or an innovative challenge to it.

• Applicants aged 18 years and up. No upper age limit.

• Applications from individuals only (not groups).

• You should not be enrolled as a student (e.g. at a university) whilst at Conditions.

• All people who fit the criteria are encouraged to apply, with no discrimination on gender, race, sexuality or disability.

• You must have UK residency. (We cannot sponsor visas.)

• We expect selected participants to live within reasonable travelling distance of Croydon / South London to make the most out of the programme and studios.

• Building accessibility: studio spaces are on both the ground floor and first floor (stairs only). The digital lab is on the first floor (stairs only). Please contact us with any space accessibility requirements.

• Programme accessibility: most of the programme runs in-person and we don’t yet have the resources to make all of it simultaneously accessible online. (Part of the Digital Lab Programme only runs online.)

• Due to the shared space, we cannot accommodate practices which need ventilation for dust, fumes or hot work.

What is expected of participants?

• To have a commitment to making and thinking about art or the conditions in your given field of creative work.

• To seek alternatives to the current state of art and art education in Greater London.

• To want to engage in a studio programme with a public events.

• To be present in the studios on a regular basis. The core days for dialogues / events will be Mondays and Tuesdays as follows:

  • Studio Programme activities will run on Mondays

  • Digital Lab Programme activities will run on Tuesdays.

• To want to work with others on exhibitions and events for displaying your work.

• To want to think through the possibilities of such an artists’ programme by providing feedback and development ideas.

• Conditions is an independent project which is frequently oversubscribed, therefore studio space is contingent on participation. Without this, the community of Conditions is not achievable as part of our offer.

Applications for 2023-24
16 August 2023 at 11.59pm deadline for applications

We are seeking applications from artists in all areas of practice and we are aiming to have a mix of approaches across the studios / programmes.

How to apply:

1. Please email a roughly 500-word statement outlining your artistic work and your interest in the programme (What? and Why?) to conditions.studio@gmail.com
Title your email ‘Conditions Application (studio or digital lab): Your Name’
Please state which programme you are interested in: studio or digital lab
Please include your date of birth and home address.

As an on-going commitment to learning about making learning models more accessible we also welcome application statements in other formats, which could include: a video (uploaded to Youtube or Vimeo) roughly 3-5 minutes in length / recorded audio (uploaded to Soundcloud or another audio platform) roughly 3-5 minutes in length. If none of these suit please email conditions.studio@gmail.com to discuss any access requirements you might have in applying.

2. Include a CV with any previous educational experience and your contact details. Please note that previous educational experience is not a requirement, but we expect people to have an active artistic practice.

3. Web links to examples of your work, images, videos, texts, audio, websites. Please organise these as concisely as possible to be viewable online. Do not email large attachments or downloads or links which require sharing permissions. Put videos on YouTube or Vimeo, not as large file transfers. We ask this for simplicity of viewing material.

4. Include phone and email contact details of 1 referee who know you via your work or education. This person should be a professional contact such as an employer, teacher, not a friend. They need to be able to vouch for you as a key holder and participant in a shared studios project. (Contact details only, you do not need to attach references at application stage, but we require a reference before studio occupancy.)

Conditions Studio Programme has studio space for up to 28 artists.
Conditions Digital Lab has places for up to 8 artists.

Any questions please email us or check the information on this site.

We currently don’t have funding to subsidise any access requirements you might have whilst attending but are committed to working with any support you already have in place.

We are unable to give feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Interviews

6 - 15 September 2023 shortlisted artists interviews at Conditions.

We aim to conduct interviews in-person wherever possible, so each applicant can view the studio space and we can meet you. Alternate interview arrangements can be made if absolutely necessary, but if offered a place, we would require you to visit the studios in person to understand if the space works for you.

Interviews will be a conversation about your work and your ideas for the programme and a chance for you to view the studios and meet current Conditions artists.

22 September 2023 participants confirmed.

Conditions, 89 Gloucester Road, Croydon CR0 2DN

conditions.studio@gmail.com

89 Gloucester Road is 10-15 minutes walk from East Croydon, West Croydon and Selhurst stations.

There are direct links to Central London (East Croydon rail), East and North London (West Croydon Overground) Central and West London (Selhurst rail). Bus and Tram links to South London. Rail links to Brighton, Gatwick, SE England.

Conditions is based in studio space at 89 Gloucester Road and 11 Spencer Place in Croydon. The project is an artist-run multi-purpose studio space to be used for production, development, exhibitions and events, started in 2018 by Matthew Noel-Tod and David Panos. Conditions was covered in Art Review’s 2023 edition on the future of art education “Be Your Own Art School”: A Guide to Alternative Art Schools in Europe.

Conditions has also used short term spaces in the Whitgift Centre, Croydon. In 2021, Conditions Shop ran at 66 Whitgift Centre.

Conditions has appeared in many articles and discussions on alternative art schools and affordable studio space in London, including: Art Monthly, Art Review, The New York Times, The Art Newspaper, The Independent, Resonance FM, The Croydonist and Whitechapel Gallery.
Conditions has made off-site projects with NTS Radio / Mark Leckey (2021, 2023) and with the V&A (2019).

Members of the 2021-22 group of Conditions Artists ran a series of self-organised events and exhibitions at 48 Whitgift Centre during July 2022. This included Ancient Mew, curated by Theo Ellison & Joe Moss and Killing Time and Other Crimes by Oona Wilkinson.

Matthew Noel-Tod is an artist, filmmaker, writer and educator. Before starting Conditions in 2018, he was Senior Lecturer in Moving Image at University of Brighton, where between 2012 and 2017 he was Course Leader for BA (Hons) Moving Image, an innovative degree course at the boundaries of art practice and film practice. Matthew has taught art and film at many art schools and universities, including Goldsmiths, Royal Academy Schools, Camberwell College of Arts UAL, International Academy of Art Palestine, Finnish Academy of Arts, Helsinki, Kingston University, Newcastle University, San Francisco Art Institute. His writing about art has appeared recently in Art Monthly, Frieze and Moving Image Review & Art Journal (MIRAJ).

As an artist, his work in film, video and photography investigates languages and meaning in image making, interpretation and values, frequently creating conflicts between cultural hierarchies. His work has been exhibited internationally, including at MOMA PS1, New York 2017, Tate Britain, London, 2016, ICA London, 2015, Banner Repeater, London 2014, TFL Art on the Underground, London, 2012, Chisenhale Gallery, London, 2012, Picture This, Bristol, 2008, Rotterdam Film Festival, 2006 and London Film Festival, 2005. He was a participant in the first LUX Associate Artists Programme 2007-2008 and the Acme Studios Fire Station programme 2010-2015. Matthew is also an experienced cinematographer working on numerous artists’ works, including films by Laure Provoust, Anja Kirschner & David Panos, David Lamelas, Melanie Gilligan, Rachel Reupke, Elizabeth Price and Sturtevant.

David Panos is an artist, musician and filmmaker. As an artist he produces videos, objects and music. He has worked in collaboration with Blaise (Anja) Kirschner and they were the winners of the Jarman Award in 2011 for their long form narrative video works. In his solo practice he works between digital moving image, choreography and object making, looking at physical and gestural languages in relation to the abstractions of contemporary experience through finance, digital media and exchange. His recent shows include: Hollybush Gardens, London, 2019, Pump House Gallery, London, 2017, Nemocentric, Galerie Charim Vienna, 2016, Albert Baronian, Brussels, 2015, ICA, London, 2014, Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, Berlin, 2013.

As a musician and producer David has worked with the groups Antifamily, Asja Auf Capri, Aufgehoben No Process and Class as well as running the Difficult Fun record label in the 2000s. He has been a visiting tutor at a number of institutions including Goldsmiths, Central St Martins, Chelsea, Wimbledon and University of Brighton.

David has also been involved with a number of community campaigns, helping set up social cinema spaces in Hackney and campaigning around housing issues and producing local newsletters with the group Hackney Independent. He has written on the difficult relation between property and the creative economy for Mute magazine.

I’m very happy to have been part of Conditions i.e. I could not have been at a different place in the last two years. The programme is translating pressing questions (asked by London) into a well organised structure that finds ways to resist some seriously disheartening aspects of art education. The workshops, conversations and presentations are resting on some sense of generosity – a tone / baseline ethos that carries individual practice as much as it carries more collective approaches. It is so good – a real quality – that the programmes participants do not only come from fine art back grounds. For me this responsiveness (to other forms of practices) meant that I felt supported shifting focus to music-production. Felix Riemann

Being at Conditions has been amazing. It’s given me the space to focus on my practice as well as the structure and support I needed to help it grow and build momentum. There is a real sense of community within the programme and during my time here I’ve made some great friends and in general feel way more connected to the wider art scene than I ever have before. I’ve really enjoyed it here and 100% recommend it to anyone thinking about applying. Jenny Camp

At Conditions I don’t feel under pressure to be making or producing art in a certain way and its made a really positive change in my practice. I’ve been surprised at how my work has developed and which directions I have taken it, and how I can see my own style, hand and interests more clearly in the work. After feeling uptight and restricted during my institutional education, I can feel myself unwinding and my work is becoming more natural as a result. The Conditions community has an egalitarian feel to it and is very open in terms of how it is run and where money is spent, so there is underlying trust and peace in the studios which allows for more vulnerability in art making. Matthew, David, the Associates and the other Conditions artists have been supportive and helpful with sharing skills, ideas and knowledge. Having structure without pressure has been great for me personally. Rose Jenson Banner

I’ve been able to develop my practice within Conditions in a way that I could not in a university, and I think this is in part because the studio fees are affordable and used in a way that is transparent - I think this creates an atmosphere that is supportive and uncynical. I am very happy for some of my studio fees to go towards paying for the pedagogical work of the artist associates who visit the studio to give talks and 1:1s. It feels like a sustainable economy within which to make work. Aside from this, people at Conditions seem generally to be mutually attentive, supportive, and generous. I have proposed several group activities directed towards following some of my own pedagogical curiosities, and people have participated warmly and enthusiastically, which has been great. Kate Paul

If you’re seeking genuine support, structure and engagement for your practice within a format that provides some of the aspects of arts education without the stress or pressure of the art institution then Conditions is for you. The programme features a wide variety of engaged and practising contemporary artists and critics who offer genuine insight and perspective on working in the art world. Campbell McConnell

At Conditions I found space to peel back layers of my work/practise/thinking within a supportive and non-competitive environment. This with the combination of regular tutorials and crits has facilitated a reconsideration of the terms of practice (towards my own terms). Critically engaged beyond medium; a place to situate practice where art/creativity and life are allowed to unravel and inform each other. Oona Wilkinson

Conditions enabled me to reflect upon existing practice I was making at the time I started in 2018 and through the activities (tutorials, group discussions etc) that I then engaged in allowed me to rethink its possibilities and find new and transformational ways to build and extend upon it. I recommend Conditions to anyone looking to further looking at new angles of their practice or simply to carry on with current ways of making whilst being mindful of the requirement to engage  in not just the development of one's own solo work but to be committed to enter into group engagement with others through the social activities organised (sometimes a tricky balance to manage but the rewards can be great). Lee Campbell

This year at Conditions has been crucial to my development as a filmmaker. Having come into Conditions with the intention of switching from a more installation and sculpture background to film, I’ve been very grateful for all the encouragement and very considerate advice I’ve received which I don’t think would be possible in a formalised university environment. I feel regardless of your experience or medium in which you work, Matthew and David have created an environment that encourages meaningful dialogue across diverse practices in a both critical and personable manner. Over the course of this year I’ve met an incredibly talented group of creative practitioners who I believe will be long time friends and collaborators, and have gained the confidence to pursue projects I’m truly passionate about, and allow myself to take the time necessary to achieve these projects to the standard I want. What’s particularly great is that Matthew and David are very understanding to the stresses and general challenges that are the reality for many creatives working within London, and provide practical support for maintaining a healthy practice; support that’s often lacking in formalised education. Matt Feldman

Being part of Conditions I’m learning and growing my practice each day. I believe the support system in general is one of the great things about it. No matter what level you are at, it is a space where people share and exchange ideas that help you to expand your creative mind. It is a very friendly place to be, with great resources, everyone is very cool. Matthew and David are always there for the artists. I believe this is one of the best, exciting, creative environments in London. I’m glad to be part of it. Mamady Diana

Conditions has been a very supportive environment. I have benefitted from this in the classic ways - my practice has developed and I feel supported when working on different projects, the studio is great and both studio mates and associates genuinely care about what you do. I have also benefitted in another way, working for a small publicly funded arts organisation, where Matthew and David’s experience in running a small arts organisation and being part of local communities has been really important to hear from. Joe Moss

Conditions is a great example of what an art education can be when removed from the toxic dynamics of institutions. They are working towards some really important questions around de-institutionalising & collective care for artists on the programme, opening up potentialities for making without demand, space with respect, and community with accountability. It was a really positive space for me to decompress after an institutional arts education & allow myself the ambition to be less ambitious.  It has the benefit of having a studio, but with structured group conversations that give a sense of progression & combatting the isolation of practicing as an artist. Monica Tolia

For me, being a part of Conditions Studio Programme has been a transformational experience. I was working on my own in a studio before, 18 years after dropping out of art school and felt directionless and isolated. Conditions gave me the space, focus and support to figure out what I was doing and to give me confidence in my practice. It allowed me to be an individual whilst also being a part of a friendly, safe and welcoming environment.
Using structures from arts education like group crits and 1:1 sessions with visiting Associate Artists it gives you a grounding and milestones to work towards (or against). Any fears I had of not knowing enough, or approaching things differently were upended by a warmth, generosity and a distinct lack of competitiveness which can arise typically in those situations.
Working within the open environment of the studio was really important too - to feel comfortable in your processes and practice whilst also allowing spontaneous and generative conversations to happen. 
Matthew and David have created something very special and work very hard to keep the structures of the studio transparent, flexible and open to influence from studio holders. I have learnt that being surrounded by a community of likeminded people is intrinsic to my practice and it is something I will not be without from now on. (Also, the studio has heating which works really well.) I could not recommend Conditions highly enough. Richard Phoenix