Friday lunchtime lecture: Hidden in plain sight (by the ODI artist in residence)

This talk will outline the recent work of BAFTA-winning artist Dan Hett around encryption issues and technologies, including a detailed examination of his recent ODI commission: two large, vibrant paintings that each contain a securely encrypted (but boldly painted) transmission, created for the ODI's upcoming LMAO exhibition and marking the beginning of a new arc of work. The key to unlocking the encrypted messages is stored on an RFID chip, which was implanted directly into the artist's hand earlier this year, making the content stored within these works accessible only to him. The talk will look at the on-site production of the works at the ODI, and will discuss the issues and ethics around current government policy around encryption technology, which gained particular significance for the artist when he became directly involved in the Manchester terror attack in May 2017. Although the themes and issues discussed are rooted in technology, this talk will be completely suitable for everyone. Please note: Dan will discuss potentially distressing themes around the Manchester attack, and the talk will also contain a few images of an implant being put into skin. you can watch the lecture here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8KgiJM_348 About the speaker Dan Hett is a BAFTA-winning artist and creative technologist from Manchester, currently working as a selected artist on FutureEverything's cutting-edge FAULT LINES program.