Our free exhibition workshops, which run from Wed 15 Oct – Thu 11 Dec, will explore the worlds of Lawrence Lek in his upcoming exhibition, Life Before Automation, at Goldsmiths CCA.

Lawrence Lek is a filmmaker, musician, and artist whose work blends architecture, computer-generated animation, gaming, video, music and fiction – in a continuously expanding cinematic universe. This exhibition is Lek’s largest UK institutional exhibition to date, and will feature installations such as an underground car park, and digital luxury hotel, as well as interactive computer games.

Lek creates site-specific installations and digital environments which he describes as ‘three-dimensional collages of found objects and situations.’ Often featuring connected narratives and the recurring figure of ‘the wanderer’, his work explores the myth of technological progress in an age of artificial intelligence, ‘Sinofuturism’, and social change. For over a decade, Lek has developed a practice he describes as ‘worldbuilding for non-humans’. His work is powerfully affective, featuring a recurring cast of characters – from self-driving cars to care bots – who ask us what it means to exist in an age of machine consciousness.

We will be continuing our format of a two-part workshop. Schools are able to sign up for one, or both sessions (recommended).

Session 1: Delivered at your school. Through exploring the question “What does a world without humans look, feel, and sound like?” Students will explore ideas around memory, non-human narratives, and world building. After viewing a selection of Lek’s films, they will be asked to choose from an array of objects to help in the creation their very own ‘wanderer’ characters. Then, students will create three dimensional models of imagined liminal spaces for their wanderer to inhabit, using materials such as foam board, fabrics and paper, cardboard, found objects, wooden sticks, wallpaper cuttings, and magazine cuttings.

Click here to book Session 2.

The session is available on Wednesdays, from 2–3.30pm (90 minutes). Alternative dates and times are available by special request. Workshops are free and are allocated on a first come first served basis. We can host groups of up to 30 pupils at any one time.

The Galleries are wheelchair accessible. If you would like to request assistance, or discuss access, please get in touch. To share feedback, subscribe for updates, or for any questions you may have, please email our Engagement Producer, Adrianna Whittingham at a.whittingham@gold.ac.uk.

Goldsmiths CCA Schools Exhibition Workshops Session 1: Lawrence Lek