How to commission media art

10 May

What is media art?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions the wider public (and even some collectors) have - and there is no shame in asking it! In this blog post I will explore what media art is and how to commission a media artwork for your home, museum, office or public space.

The National Endowment for the Arts defines media arts as “all genres and forms that use electronic media, film and technology (analog and digital, old and new) as an artistic medium... This includes projects presented via film, television, radio, audio, video, the Internet, interactive and mobile technologies, video games, immersive and multi-platform storytelling and satellite streaming.”

Image: *Celebrating 50 years of Pride*. Commissioned by Artiq & SCOR.

Image: *Sustainable Geometry*. Commissioned by MKIAC.

In my case, I am a multimedia light artist who creates interactive sculptures and installations. This means that I work with light (both electronic and natural), technology (such as LEDs, Arduino boards and software), natural mediums (such as reclaimed wood), and man-made materials (recycled plastic, for example). An interactive sculpture of mine may look like Ocean Rise (2021), where the audience is invited to listen to a soundscape while looking at the piece or shemza.digital #6, where the position of the audience makes the light in the column change hue in real-time.

Image: *shemza.digital #6*, 2022. Funded by Arts Council of England.

Image: *Ocean Rise*, 2021. Commissioned by Canary Wharf Group.

How the commissioning process works

When it comes to my bespoke artworks, my clients will usually approach me with an idea they have for the piece, a space they want to use or an occasion they wish to celebrate. At this stage it is important the client understands what they want this piece to do for them - what are their goals for this process? This will help us to realise the best possible experience.

After we have gone through your ideas together, I then create a 3D design of the piece and create a budget for the project. I work with 3D models as a way to help you visualise what the final piece will look like.

Image: *Sustainable Geometry,* 3D Design.

Image: *Hive Mind,* 3D Design. Created by Backstage Academy student

At this point I will gather any feedback you may have and adjust the design and budget accordingly. Once this is finalised I send you an invoice for 50% of the project to be settled upfront. The final 50% will be settled once the artwork is made but before it is delivered to the client.

Once the funds have been transferred we go into production and this is my favourite part! I create the artwork for you: cutting the materials, treating them, soldering the circuit and working with a software engineer to create the interactive code if needed. If the work is larger than I can manage alone, I then work with a team or a fabricator to create the work.

Image: Aphra Shemza at Building Bloqs, London.

Image: Aphra Shemza soldering in the studio.

Once the artwork is created it is delivered to the photographers and installed. At this point we take high resolution images and video of the work and create a step by step installation document if required. The images and video are shared with the client and the final invoice is sent to be settled before delivery.

Finally, the artwork is packed for shipping, a certificate of authenticity is created and the artwork is delivered to the client. I offer self-installation or custom-installation options to suit the client’s needs which will be discussed at the point of order.

Commission your artwork today

Ready to see a case study? Keep reading >>

Totem III - a commissioned media art piece for your home

I was approached by a private client who had seen works from my Totem series, where I use traditional sculpting techniques, organic materials and technology fused together, creating a balance between these entities.

They had seen some of the designs I had done before and wanted a larger artwork than my other Totems for their home. We agreed I would create something based on my previous designs but larger so it would work better in their space. After agreeing on what the brief for the project was, I came up with the 3D design and produced the artwork for them.

Finally, I shipped it off and it’s now part of their home collection!

Images: *Totem III*, 3D render, final piece and the artwork packed and ready for shipping. Commissioned by a private client.

Composition Series - from celebrating a brand milestone to a private commission

This story starts with Composition X. Louis Roederer, the champagne and crystal producer, saw the interactive artwork Composition X while it was being exhibited at Lights of Soho Gallery. They wanted a unique piece of art to launch their product in 2016 so we got together and created the concept for Heart Beats of Cristal, a dazzling interactive golden light sculpture which pulsed like a heartbeat and could capture the identity of their brand - the fruit of patiently working with fundamental ingredients, the collaboration of experts, and a quest for the perfect balance. The sculpture was unveiled in October 2016 in the Shangri La Hotel in the Shard, London and the piece was on display until the end of January 2017. It now resides in Champagne.

Image: Visitor interacting with Composition X, 2015.

After seeing the Heart Beats of Cristal, a private client approached me and said they would like something similar for their private collection. I sent over some new designs and was commissioned to create a new bespoke artwork which carried the aesthetic principles used for Heart Beats of Cristal and fulfilled my client’s expectations, resulting in a new and unique piece - Composition XV.

Image: Launch of Heart Beats of Cristal with Louis Roederer in the Shard, 2016.

Image: Composition XV, 3D Design. Commissioned by private client.

If you see an artwork that you’d really love to have from my past catalogue, I can always make a few changes and create one specifically for you or create the next in the series if the work is an edition.

I am currently open for new commissions so please contact me to discuss your ideas today: aphra@aphrashemza.com.