Creative Media & Digital
Placemaking

I’ve been leading socially-engaged and creative placemaking work through Esem Projects for the better part of the last decade. A partnership with Michael Killalea, Esem Projects curates teams of respected technologists and creatives to deliver immersive and experiential projects in the public domain, working closely with local governments, urban designers and communities to surface stories of people and place.

Esem Projects developed as an outcome of my work as a digital producer and strategist working with historical collections in the public domain - a key focus for my PhD research. This work is archived over at Sitesandsounds.

Digital Heritage Interpretation & Placemaking

Here’s a selection of projects, installations and activations. To stay up to date, head over to Esem Projects for recent projects.

Featured
Radiant Matter
Radiant Matter

This immersive exhibit allows visitors to explore the history of ideas about atomic structure from the age of Democratus to the quantum era. Produced for Rutherford's Den through Esem Projects. 

The Rutherford Wall
The Rutherford Wall

During 2016 Sarah was lead curator and designer for the Rutherford's Den project at the Arts Centre of Christchurch.  This included the development of a digital interactive wall with Lightwell Studio. The Rutherford Wall provided a fun & interactive way to engage with the story of Ernest Rutherford, bringing digital archives to life. For more info on Rutherford's Den see Esem Projects. 

The Balls Head Coal Loader
The Balls Head Coal Loader

Working with Michael Killalea through Esem Projects, we developed the interpretation artworks to be launched at the new Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability. The new Coal Loader Platform is to be launch in early 2018, and will feature large scale interpretive panels capturing the story of this former Coal Loader and its role in powering Sydney's trade during the 20th century. 

Rutherford's Den Interpretation & Design
Rutherford's Den Interpretation & Design

I was so proud to attend the launch of Rutherford's Den in Christchurch, New Zealand. The exhibits and displays have been a labour of love for me as I've curated and produced the new museum space for the Arts Centre of Christchurch.  Find out more over at Esem Projects.

Arrivals and Departures
Arrivals and Departures

A public art installation reflecting on the maritime history of Sydney's East Darling Harbour, now home to the Barangaroo Public Headland. Commissioned for the Barangaroo Welcome Celebrations through Esem Projects. 

The Art of Numbers
The Art of Numbers

For the launch of Rutherford's Den I produced a 10 minute video on the history of mathematics. Illustrations by Mike Daly & Michael Killalea, sound by Gary Sinclair of Tactile Music. Check out the video here. 

Portraits of Memory
Portraits of Memory

In 2016 Esem Projects with Port Macquarie Council to create Portraits of Memory, a unique public art project that celebrates the everyday objects that connect us with those who have served Australia’s war efforts in the past. This included digital projections and soundscape artworks developed through interviews with community contributors. See https://www.esemprojects.com/project/portraits-of-memory/

Mt Stromlo Interpretation
Mt Stromlo Interpretation

I worked with ANU Heritage on a heritage interpretation strategy and set of audio-visual resources for the Mt Stromlo Observatory Director's Residence Restoration project.  A wonderful opportunity to enable visitors to learn about this unique site and its role in the development of Canberra as a city, and the growth of astronomy in Australia. The project won the 2015 ACT National Trust of Australia Heritage Award for Outstanding Project. Find out more over at Esem Projects. 

Blacktown Native Institute
Blacktown Native Institute

During 2015 I worked with the MCA Digital team to develop an online 'Keeping Place' for indigenous communities responding to the history of the Blacktown Native Institute. The proposed development of the site of the former BNI, one of the first sites of the 'stolen generation', has provoked the creation of this digital resource as a space for ideas and reflection its possible future uses. I led the creation of the original website and collation of historical documentation on the site.