Daniel Merrill performed his New Album with support from Rev. Matt Simpkins Nujumi with Reverend Matt Simpkins < Back 8 July 2023 Daniel Merrill performed his New Album with support from Rev. Matt Simpkins Previous Next https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_f1cec2c221e04d93b8201457ac2f057f/720p/mp4/file.mp4 This event has ended. Visit Event Page MORE ON THIS EVENT BELOW Previous Next Event Documentation Previous Next

Gravesend’s own Hypermedia returned to Fourth Portal for another evening of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic, and discussion. Possibly the most diverse and relaxed lineup to date, Hypermedia Open Space 8 saw its youngest performer yet, Elsie, aged 7, receive a roaring reception, followed by Tony, aged 84, who was met with equal appreciation. Hypermedia DIY Open Space 8 < Back 10 April 2024 Gravesend’s own Hypermedia returned to Fourth Portal for another evening of DIY poetry, spoken word, music, open mic, and discussion. Possibly the most diverse and relaxed lineup to date, Hypermedia Open Space 8 saw its youngest performer yet, Elsie, aged 7, receive a roaring reception, followed by Tony, aged 84, who was met with equal appreciation. Previous Next Hypermedia DIY Open Space 8 A full house flowe d throughout the four-hour event, as poets, musicians, and sound artists from across t he southeast descended on the Fourth Portal stage to share their work. Performers (some names missing): Anthony Hart Chris Porcas Elsie Rayner Joe Cleary Johnny G Lee Campbell Nick Nola Rayner Poet Redeeming Features Ryan Smellilot Sophie Sirota Tony Thorley Zack Davies No Age Limit A standout moment came from 7-year-old Elsie Rayner , performing her first-ever poem in front of a packed audience. Watching a child stand before an audience of appreciative adults perfectly captured the supportive nature of Hypermedia events. Befor e Elsie, her 10-year-old sister, Nola Rayner, delivered an unforgettable rendition of Pam Ayres’ classic Oh! I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth. Proving that spoken word has no age limits, Tony Thorley, 84, followed soon after, showing that creativity has no barriers https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_aee7c100626f4ec0a09a4f2c9150503d/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 10-year-old, Nola Rayner https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_e8e3331edc914f9293d24c09e30b2365/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 7-year-old, Elsie Rayner A Night of Standout Performances The night saw performances from Poet Redeeming Features, whose raw and punchy punk poetry pushed audience boundaries with its mix of humour, intensity, and social commentary. Johnny G is becoming a Gravesend legend, his piano and cover numbers consistently hitting the right note and bringing a special energy. The growing confidence of Gravesend's Anthony Hart and Chris Porcas is inspiring others to take to the stage and share their words for the first time. In the busy throng of the evening, a steel guitar performance stunned the audience befor e they clapped along to Ryan's clever spoken song. Building Partnerships and Confidence Hypermedia and Fourth Portal are about more than an enjoyable evening - they are ab out connecting with other innovative events, groups, and move ments while offering opportunities beyond performance. Sound Engineer | Dan Simpson Un der the remote guidance of renowned visual and audio engineer Oli May, Dan Simpson stepped in to engineer the sound and visuals for Open Space 8. With a rapid stage turnover of nearly 20 performances across different genres, Dan was thrown into the deep end - and delivered flawlessly. Handling the most diverse Hypermedia event to date, he managed the technical side with the calmness and expertise of a seasoned professional, despite being at the start of his care er. Dan Simpson at work Building a Movement Hypermedia continues to evolve and expand, bringing together artists and audiences in an ex perimental, supportive environment. By combining elements of gathering spaces, open mic nights, and artistic happenings, Hypermedia has become a key part of the growing arts movement in Gravesend, Kent, London and the southeast of England. Many of the performers at Hypermedia Open Space are also organisers, running fast-growing events that are shaping an alternative performance scene across the southe ast. Holy Moly Poetry & Zack Davies A key voice in Gravesend’s spoken word scene, Zack Davies runs Holy Moly Poetry, a spoken word night hosted at The Mole Hole Micro Pub in Gravesend. Holy Moly fosters a community of writers, bringing together poets and storytellers across the region. Zack has also curated poetry events, including POW! Play on Words #10 , further cementing his role in the local and regional literary s cene. https://www.instagram.com/holymolypoetry/ Lee Campbell & POW! Play on Words Lee Campbell, co-cura tor of POW! Play on Words, brought his signature performance poetry, incorporating picture books and props to challenge traditional forms of storytelling. POW! is a playful, experimental space where spoken word meets performance, blurring the lines between poetry, theatre, and visual art. https://www.instagram.com/powplayonwords/ Sophie Sirota, Zack Davies and Lee Campbell Sophie Sirota & Coastal Electronauts Sophie Sirota is an electronic musician and viola player, blending classical music with real-time audio processing to create abstract, ambient soundscapes. She is part of the Coastal Electronauts, a collective that hosts Electronic Music Open Mic (EMOM) events on the second Thursday of each month in Whitstable. @sophiesirotaviola The Coastal Electronauts provide a platform for electronic musicians, fostering a growing community of artists and enthusiasts. Their events are live-streamed, offering broader accessibility. 🔗 Coastal Electronauts Facebook Group 🔗 Coastal Ele ctronauts YouTube Channel Political View The growing reputation of Hypermedia Open Space and Fourth Portal as a hub for creative expression and cultural engagement was highlighted by a visit from Lauren Sullivan, the soon-to-be Labour MP for Gravesham, and Shane Mochrie-Cox, Deputy Leader of Gravesham Borough Council. Their presence underscored the growing recognition of the importance of grassroots arts movements in shaping vibrant, connected communities. Engaging with performers and audiences, they experienced firsthand how Hypermedia is fostering a thriving creative scene that is gaining recognition beyond the arts community. Lauren Sullivan, MP for Gravesham, Shane Mochrie-Cox, Deputy Leader of Gravesham Borough Council, Joe Cleary and Harriet Hammond of Hypermedia Events. Upcoming Hypermedia Event 📅 Hypermedia Open Space 9 – Wednesday, 14 August 2024 📍 Fourth Portal Lab, Gravesend See Previous Events 🔗 All Hypermedia Open Spac e events 📸 Check out past performances, discussions, and the energy of previous events. Hypermedia Open Space events are free to attend, but donations are encouraged to help sustain the space. 📲 Find out more about Hypermedia: 🔗 Instagram: @hypermediaevents Visit Event Page MORE ON THIS EVENT BELOW Previous Next Event Documentation Previous Next

For The Sick And Poor MA Fine Art students from Central Saint Martins took over Fourth Portal for a bold and immersive group exhibition. Featuring performance, sculpture, painting, sound, and video, the show brought together eight emerging artists exploring themes of identity, perception, and materiality. CSM MA Fine Art Takeover < Back 7 March 2024 For The Sick And Poor MA Fine Art students from Central Saint Martins took over Fourth Portal for a bold and immersive group exhibition. Featuring performance, sculpture, painting, sound, and video, the show brought together eight emerging artists exploring themes of identity, perception, and materiality. Previous Next For The Sick And Poor MA Fine Art students from Central Saint Martins took over Fourth Portal for a compelling group exhibition, showcasing performance, sculpture, painting, sound, and video. Featuring eight emerging artists, the exhibition explored themes of identity, perception, materiality, and storytelling, offering an exciting glimpse into the future of contemporary art. Artists Georgia May Broadley (@mayartist_) – Explores camouflage, survival, and self-presentation, using vibrant colours to contrast deeper psychological and societal meanings. Hannah Absalom (@hkaart) – Multidisciplinary artist blending religious iconography, horror, and queerness in surreal visual narratives. Meejaah (@meejaah) – Investigates Derealisation-Depersonalisation Disorder (DPRD) through mythologised, dreamlike cinematic worlds in photography and film. Joshua Obichere (@j_n_artcsm) – Explores Black identity, faith, and cultural heritage, incorporating textiles and performance into his practice. Sandra Zanetti (@sandrazanetti_) – Deconstructs human experience, symbols, and world-building, merging global iconographies with personal narratives. Hollie Palmer (@holl_palmer) – Uses tufted sculptures and textiles to examine personal memories, emotional landscapes, and connections to place. Em Bristow (@_dood1es) – A transdisciplinary artist, writer, and musician, exploring identity, self-expression, and personal storytelling. Harriet Hammond (@h.rriet.) – Draws from 1970s food art, nostalgia, and childhood influences to explore fantasy, consumption, and play. Bodie Stanley (@bodie.stanley) – A multidisciplinary artist working with sound, print, sculpture, and installation, exploring urban experience, social engagement, and material interaction. Curated by Harriet Hammond, MAFA (First Class Hons.) https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_9e9e8a4c226f43609b0ca35a905ea854/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Georgia May Broadley (@mayartist_) Georgia Bristow’s work explores themes of camouflage and survival, using vibrant colours to contrast with deeper psychological and societal meanings. Her art serves as a metaphor for personal and collective pressures, particularly the curated self-presentation shaped by social media. This reflects her own experiences with imposter syndrome and the concept of constructing a personal camouflage. Through her work, she highlights the tension between inviting appearances and hidden truths, encouraging people to embrace authenticity despite societal expectations. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_20bdc217efba4d0d9bcf734af9521789/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Hannah Kate Absalom (@hkaart) Hannah Kate Absalom is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the intersections of religious iconography, horror, and queerness. She re-contextualizes biblical imagery and symbolism, blending sacred, medieval, and science fiction elements to present contemporary expressions of dystopia and apocalypse. Absalom employs various mediums, including oil painting, printmaking, and moving-image work, often drawing inspiration from Renaissance painting, surrealist film, and the installation-like qualities of religious spaces. She now holds a Master's degree in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins, graduating with first-class honors in 2024, and was awarded the Cass Art Graduate Prize. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_d79e25b9f1f74c4bb0dd1fc557d2cc9a/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Meejaah (@meejaah) Meejaah’s work explores the intersection of personal experience, mythology, and perception , drawing from their lived experience with Derealisation-Depersonalisation Disorder (DPRD). Rather than viewing it through a clinical lens, Meejaah transforms this altered state of reality into a dreamlike, cinematic world, mythologising the mundane to create new narratives. Their character-based work personifies the condition - an "animalified" embodiment of the detachment and uncanniness that comes with DPRD. Through photography, film, and visual storytelling, Meejaah navigates the tension between knowing the world is real and feeling otherwise, highlighting how the brain’s coping mechanisms can both shield and distort our perception of reality. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_875c4714b1904fbb88effa5c018180f5/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_e9791236c58e45a2bf1122f3f74e9c49/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Joshua Obichere (@j_n_artcsm) Joshua Obichere is a multidisciplinary artist and art educator based in London. He now holds an MA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins (UAL) and a Master's in Education from the University of Cambridge, focusing on Social Justice and the Curriculum. Joshua is the founder of Skin Deep Education, an initiative aimed at promoting inclusivity and cultural diversity in education. His artistic practice delves into themes of the Black male body, African wax prints, and faith, critically exploring the intersections of identity and culture. ualshowcase.arts.ac.uk https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_c3b3f64fc4d94d4a96d8009d4154ba46/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Sandra Zanetti (@sandrazanetti_) Sandra Zanetti is an internationally exhibiting multidisciplinary artist whose performances and installations unveil unconscious fears and desires, drawing inspiration from both local and global sources. Her work deconstructs the complexities of human experience, often weaving together physical compositions that utilise a unique visual language informed by various world cultures, iconographies, and socioeconomic theories. Zanetti has deep interests in language, embodiment, symbols, world-building, and the cyclicality of time concerning progression, innovation, and regression. sandrazanetti.com art-gab.blubrry.net https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_85687960603545c0932db6c0941464df/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Hollie Palmer (@holl_palmer) Hollie Palmer is a London-based artist who explores the interplay between personal memories, emotional bonds with landscapes, and the events that tether individuals to specific places. Her work often involves creating tufted sculptures and textiles that reflect these themes. Palmer's creations have been featured in venues such as The Shop Tremenheere, and she has crafted pieces in response to exhibitions like the Mike Kelley exhibition at Tate Modern. ualshowcase.arts.ac.uk instagram.com https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_fde6601b5d7f460a8b99b410b5300ad0/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Em Bristow (@_dood1es) Em Bristow, also known as Em Doodles, is a 24-year-old transgender artist, writer, and musician based in East London. Their work spans various mediums, and they have collaborated with producer and musician Charles Cave. Em's projects often explore themes of identity and personal experience. All pieces and fragments of Doodles' practice are enmeshed through the regurgitating of memories and language into sculptural, sonic and linguistic modes of creating. The work is fed by the wider context of mortuary practice, biopolitics, and ecology. With particular interest in the role of the corpse in conjunction with the trans body. Doodles' posits the systemically stifled power of bodies that are in a state of transition. Doodles' work engages with the ways all bodies exist in a state of flux and in exchange with linguistic systems of power. The works explore love and loss through abject, hybrid corpse sculptures, the honoring of incomplete bodies, and cyclical ideas. Repetition is deployed within Doodles' writing and visual motifs to situate the corp se in a new, boundless realm that allows for its leakage, mess and ambivalence. ualshowcase.arts.ac.uk https://video.wixstatic.com/video/2fcede_2c8390b77c8c416c8457c342b887d744/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Harriet Hammond (@h.rriet.) Born in 2000, Harriet Hammond is an artist from Gravesend who recently completed her Master of Fine Arts at Central Saint Martins in London with First Class Honours and curated this exhibition. Her work has been featured in several exhibitions, and she draws inspiration from 1970s food art, toys, theatre, children's TV shows, and family dynamics to explore themes of fantasy, nostalgia, and consumption. ualshowcase.arts.ac.uk Fourth Portal Harriets' installation shows a vibrant table of clay sculptures, featuring a feast of fake food and two life-size human-animal characters seated at the table. Drawing inspiration from 70s food art, toys, theatre, children's TV shows, and family dynamics, the piece explores themes of fantasy, nostalgia, consumption and class. An over-stimulation of color and texture dominates the piece, with bright paints and shiny resin giving a wet, grotesque look. Each element is hand sculpted and detailed with a cocktail stick, creating an intricate and colourful world. Final Show The short, two man performance with Harriet Hammond and Georgia May Broadley (above), shows an angry chef with crab claw hands, "cooking" fake food for the fake characters at the table. Accompanying is an anxious waitress, whose struggle highlights themes of anxiety and people-pleasing within the chaotic world of hospitality. The performance transforms the installation into a fever dream-like experience, where costumed characters navigate the surreal dining scenario. By presenting the food sculptures in both conventional and unconventional manners, the performance amplifies the overstimulation with movement and sound, creating a dynamic experience that engages viewers in a fantastical, yet relatable narrative. Bodie Stanley ( @bodie.stanley ) Bodie Stanley is a London-based artist whose multidisciplinary practice encompasses sound, print, painting, sculpture, and installation. Born in 1988 in Atherton, Queensland, Australia, Stanley moved to Hackney, London, at the age of five and has spent the majority of their life in the city. Their work is deeply rooted in social engagement, often exploring themes of urban experience and the interplay between individuals and their environments. Stanley's creative process integrates both digital manipulation and manual handcrafting techniques, reflecting a commitment to materiality and sensory engagement. Notable projects include "Designated Noise Barricade," a sound installation that invites viewers to interact with structures reminiscent of urban barriers, transforming them into playful instruments. Stanley holds a Master of Arts in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and has exhibited in various venues, contributing to London's contemporary art scene. bodiestanley.co.uk ualshowcase.arts.ac.uk The opening event has ended | Exhibition ran until 13 March 2024. Visit Event Page MORE ON THIS EVENT BELOW Previous Next Event Documentation Previous Next

< Back arXiv Open-Access Repository Of Electronic Preprints And Postprints (e-Prints) arXiv is a free distribution service and an open-access archive for nearly 2.4 million scholarly articles from physics, mathematics, computer science, quantitative biology, quantitative finance, statistics, electrical engineering and systems science, and economics. Cornell University 1 Aug 2023 arXiv (pronounced as " archive "—the X represents the Greek letter chi ⟨χ⟩) is an open-access repository of electronic preprints and postprints (known as e-prints ) approved for posting after moderation, but not peer review . It consists of scientific papers in the fields of mathematics , physics , astronomy , electrical engineering , computer science , quantitative biology , statistics , mathematical finance and economics , which can be accessed online. In many fields of mathematics and physics, almost all scientific papers are self-archived on the arXiv repository before publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Some publishers also grant permission for authors to archive the peer-reviewed postprint . Begun on August 14, 1991, arXiv.org passed the half-million-article milestone on October 3, 2008, had hit a million by the end of 2014 and two million by the end of 2021. As of April 2021, the submission rate is about 16,000 articles per month. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia https://arxiv.org For more: Previous Next

< Back Elliott Sirota-Gott Multimedia artist and music maker born in Kent. Working under the artist name 'smelliott', they are dedicated to creating extreme art to push how people view and interact with art and music. I first heard about the Fourth Portal through Hypermedia. I heard about the event around September 2023. Q1: How and when did you first discover the Fourth Portal? I first heard about the Fourth Portal through Hypermedia. I heard about the event around September 2023. Q2: What were your initial impressions? Such a cool space. I really love how the old paintings from the church blend with the old tech sprawled everywhere. I remember meeting John, as well as Joe and Harriet (who run Hypermedia) and feeling really welcome. It's not a place someone might expect to be in Gravesend. Q3: How has Fourth Portal inspired you? Fourthportal is just an encouraging space. Having monthly events like Hypermedia really gets me to make at least one musical piece a month, especially when I'm in a bit of a drought. It's a place that is easy to look forward to going to. It really does feel like a small community of people. Q4: Will the inspiration be of benefit in the future? Without inspiration, people wouldn't create! I think Fourthportal is an important place, especially with the events that are on. Giving artists a space to perform in front of people, often for the first time, is essential. If Fourthportal is around, people will always have a place to be inspired and perform and make things. Q5: (optional) Anything you wish to add? Fourthportal is also great for meeting artists and other creative people. I wouldn't know so many people if it wasn't for the space, including the people who run the artists collective and gallery space I am a part of. Addendum [Fourth Portal]. Elliot (Smelliot) is now collaborating with Kieron C at Metamorphika studio, a developing alliance of independent contemporary artists taking workspace into a new realm. Hackney resident Kieron came to the Fourth Portal following a random meeting with Fourth Portal John on a train. Elliot from Whitstable met Kieron at Hypermedia in the summer. This meeting of minds and collaboration away from the Fourth Portal captures how networks form and new movements begin, resembling the original vision for the Net. Metamorphika Studio wrote: "We love what you are proposing at Fourth Portal and we have been inspired by your mode of operating since we started Metamorphika Studio." Previous Next

Gravesend Innovation Showcase 2024 events, locations, talks, speakers and times. < Back The Bell Agency Start Time 15:00 & 17:00 Running Time 45 Minutes Location 13. House of Lelya Event Type Participation About the Event Introduction The Bell Agency opens out into a mesmerising slow motion sound world. Somewhere between performance and unfolding, and the afternoon's realisation, led by Charles Hayward, depends on listening, hive mind and the unique sonic details that evolve before our ears. More on the event lead He curates Music Is Social Space, a six-monthly series of performances, workshops and installations for the Albany Theatre. Recent releases include the piano-centred song cycle ‘Begin Anywhere’ on Klanggalerie & God Unknown Records. Never at rest, he has recently formed a new group, Abstract Concrete and their new album is near to release. Charles’ music is both innovative and communicative, intense and committed - music that pushes at the edges of the new, challenging the already known, questioning frontiers and embracing divergent energies. ___ Charles Hayward (born 1951) is an English drummer and was a founding member of the experimental rock groups This Heat and Camberwell Now.[1] He also played with Mal Dean's Amazing Band, Dolphin Logic, and gigged and recorded with Phil Manzanera in the group Quiet Sun project as well as a short stint with Gong.[2] He was a session musician on The Raincoats' second album, Odyshape,[3] and on one occasion played drums for the anarchist punk band Crass.[4] Since the late 1980s, Hayward has released several solo projects and participated in various collaborations, most notably Massacre with Bill Laswell and Fred Frith.[1] Event Information This event requires a ticket in advance - limited numbers. All ages. No experience required. Tickets on sale from 15 Oct 2024 ___ Even more information ___ See Charles Wikipedia page for more https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hayward_(drummer) This event is being updated Previous Next

< Back Mickey Mouse Has Entered The Public Domain No sooner has Mickey Mouse come out of copyright than there is a generative AI model that allows anyone to generate images of Mickey. Huggingface.co 2 Jan 2024 The post copyrignt world has arrived, the possibilities are tantalising. Mickey Mouse just entered the public domain today and here's a generative AI model that you can play with. Just type in the words and see what comes out! Mickey-1928 is fine-tuned version of Stable-Diffusion-xl trained on 96 stills in the public domain from 1928. Mickey-1928 can generate images of Mickey, Minnie and, to a much lesser extent, Pete (with the prompt PeteLegPete). Since 2024, the first three cartoons of Mickey are in the public domain. The final dataset includes: 40 stills from Gallopin' Gaucho (in color) 22 stills from Plane Crazy 34 stills from Steamboat Willie. The stills are not currently available in high quality and you should not expect consistently good results from Mickey-1928. The color images from Gallopin' Gauchoare in 360x360 pixels. Hopefully with the cartoons now being part of the public domain, higher definition versions should be available. The generated images aims adhere to the 1928 design in order to have Mickey, Minnie and Pete and in the public domain. This is still a work in progress: while the model is in development, generated images should be checked to ensure they really are in the public domain design. https://huggingface.co/Pclanglais/Mickey-1928?text=drawing+of+Mickey%2C+discovering+ChatGPT For more: Previous Next

All Improv Perfomers All Improv Gigs Iris Colomb Text & Objects Performer Bio (Max 1000 characters) London and South East improv gigs Boat-Ting Nov25 3 November 2025 ImproVox #04 28 October 2024 Performer notes, message or style description http://Website or social media email or phone number

All Improv Perfomers All Improv Gigs Olga Ksendzovska Piano / Organ / Melodica / Conductor Performer Bio (Max 1000 characters) London and South East improv gigs London Improvisers Orchestra #39 28 September 2025 London Improvisers Orchestra #37 8 March 2025 Performer notes, message or style description http://Website or social media email or phone number

All Improv Perfomers All Improv Gigs Kes Matsui Cello Performer Bio (Max 1000 characters) London and South East improv gigs London Improvisers Orchestra #39 28 September 2025 Performer notes, message or style description http://Website or social media email or phone number

All Improv Perfomers All Improv Gigs Christoph Gallio Soprano & Alto Saxes Performer Bio (Max 1000 characters) London and South East improv gigs Boat-Ting Dec22 5 December 2022 Boat-Ting Dec 2022 http://Website or social media email or phone number

The Innovation Showcase turned Gravesend into a hub of creativity, technology, and knowledge-sharing, with academics, artists, and entrepreneurs leading interactive discussions, performances, and demonstrations. In various shops, churches, and unexpected locations, the day explored AI, machine learning, retro computing, sonic experiments, lasers, robotics, and digital futures, bringing new ideas to the heart of the this North Kent town. Innovation Showcase 2024 < Back 20 November 2024 The Innovation Showcase turned Gravesend into a hub of creativity, technology, and knowledge-sharing, with academics, artists, and entrepreneurs leading interactive discussions, performances, and demonstrations. In various shops, churches, and unexpected locations, the day explored AI, machine learning, retro computing, sonic experiments, lasers, robotics, and digital futures, bringing new ideas to the heart of the this North Kent town. Previous Next This page is being updated March 2025 Innovation Showcase | Gravesend Takeover On Wednesday, 20th November 2024, the Innovation Showcase transformed Gravesend town centre into a hub of innovation, technology, creativity and knowledge exchange. From emerging AI breakthroughs to sonic soundscapes with lasers, the event invited academics, artists, entrepreneurs, and the public to explore how the future is being shaped today. Despite an overnight Arctic blast that left temperatures below freezing in the morning, the sun broke through, and by midday, the town was alive with discussions, performances, and hands-on demonstrations. The BBC arrived in a radio car to broadcast live interviews on Breakfast shows, which brought national coverage. With a packed schedule of free events, hosted in shops, churches, and unexpected locations, the Innovation Showcase offered an unparalleled opportunity to engage with leading experts from major universities, innovative businesses, and pioneering creative industries. 🔹 29 Events | 50 Volunteers | BBC Coverage | Participants from across the UK 💡 From hands-on AI workshops and robotics demonstrations to immersive sound experiences and discussions on digital futures, the Innovation Showcase was a day of discovery, collaboration, and inspiration. Extensive Media Coverage The Innovation Showcase 2024 attracted widespread media attention, bringing Gravesend into the national spotlight. Coverage spanned across multiple platforms, with extensive features across the BBC, including live radio interviews, online articles, and discussions on emerging technology, creativity, and the impact of the new emerging economy is having on local communities. The BBC’s coverage kicked off with a live morning radio interview with Fourth Portal founder, John McKiernan, discussing the vision behind the Innovation Showcase and the opportunities it presented for Gravesend and beyond. Throughout the day, the event was featured in BBC articles and local news bulletins, highlighting the cutting-edge demonstrations, expert-led discussions, and the town’s engagement with technological innovation. Beyond the BBC, the press release was widely circulated, generating significant interest across digital and print media, reaching hundreds of thousands of people who may not have previously been familiar with Gravesend. Social media engagement surged as attendees, speakers, and media outlets shared real-time updates, photos, and reflections, further expanding the event’s reach. The level of media exposure not only shone a light on the event itself but also reinforced Gravesend’s potential as a hub for knowledge exchange, entrepreneurship, and cultural innovation. Event Locations The Innovation Showcase took place all across the North Kent town of Gravesend town centre, bringing cutting-edge ideas into everyday spaces and turning the town into a dynamic space for learning, experimentation, and discussion. 📍 Fixed Locations St. George's Church Hall and Community Centre St. George's Church The Mug and Meeple Julius Caesar Italian Restaurant Gravesend Model Centre Allsorts Antiques The Kent Cocktail Bar & Lounge Pender Pharmacy Gravesend Library Munns of Gravesend RC Bathrooms Compass Alehouse House of Leyla The Grand Reliance Fish Restaurant - Gravesend Gino’s Neapolitan Hatch Market St. George's Arts Centre Some of the Gravesend businesses host Innovation Showcase The venues played an important role, hosting talks, workshops, performances, and hands-on demonstrations that invited the public to engage with innovation in familiar settings and for residents to see their town in a new light. Starting and Maintaining a Business in Gravesend 📍 Gravesend Library | 10:00 The Fourth Portal Innovation Showcase began with an essential discussion on the realities of running a business in Gravesend. Local business owners from Compass Ale House, Allsorts Antiques, Pender Pharmacy, and others came together to share insights into the challenges and opportunities of operating in a changing economic landscape. Chaired by Alessandro Ferrazza (University of Sunderland in London), the session explored the current state of town centre businesses, the impact of technological disruptions, and the strategies needed to adapt and thrive in the evolving economy. With participation from both established entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners, the discussion set the tone for the day—highlighting the importance of community collaboration, resilience, and innovation in shaping the future of Gravesend’s economy. Event Highlights & Summaries Performance 🎭 The Laserium | St George's Church Hall | 19:00 The 800-laser immersive The Laserium returned to Gravesend following the sold-out gigs at the Fourth Portal earlier in the year . Set to the pulsating music of Funki Porcini, transforming sound into light in a spectacular display. Reviews below. 🎭 The Bell Agency | House of Leyla | 15:00 & 17:00 A slow-motion sound world of unfolding sound and performance, bringing together a gradual audience realisation, led by drummer Charles Hayward. 🎭 Drum Machine | The Grand | 18:00 Renowned drummer Charles Hayward explored how drum machines differ from human drumming through an historic lens, inviting the audience to join in short drumming sessions. 🎭 Doraraathara | The Grand | 18:00 An immersive spoken word performance blending generative art, projection, sound and AI technology, followed by a Q&A with creators Jennifer Bell and Kristian Jones from Nottingham Trent University. 🎭 Large Language | The Grand | 16:00 Gravesend’s spoken word community engaged the public in a discussion on the interplay between poetry and AI, encouraging participation in remixing into a whole new work by a live A.I., led by Zack Davies and Anthony Hart. 🎭 Art of VFX 1896-2024 | The Grand | 16:15 An exploration of the tools and techniques used in visual effects over a century of cinema, led by VFX Supervisor, Val Wardlaw. Demonstrations & Interactive Installations 🤖 Meet Mechanismo - Engaging and Playful Robots | Multiple locations | 11:00 The Mechanismo team showcased their expressive, four-wheel-drive Crawly Bots equipped with advanced sensing technology, presented by Andy Payne and Nicky Cure. Listen to Andy speaking to the BBC about the Crawly Bots. 🖼 Green Yonder - Sustainable Design Futures | St George's Church Hall | 10:00 Attendees interacted with playful and accessible devices designed to raise awareness of sustainability challenges, including those posed by AI and the Internet of Things, led by Michael Stead and Violet Owen from the University of Lancaster | Listen to Michael and Violet speaking to the BBC. 🎹 Mini Jam with Tiny Synths | Various pop-up locations | 11:00 Producer and electronic artist Felix X Tigersonic guided participants through interactive workshops exploring the world of tiny synthesisers. 📸 Polaroid Workshop | Fourth Portal | Saturday, 16 November 2024 | 11:00 Participants used Instax ‘Polaroid’ cameras to experiment with photographing urban environments, led by photographer, Paul Halliday, formally of Goldsmiths, University of London. 🎨 Polaroid Exhibition | Gravesend Library | 11:00 An exhibition displaying photos from the Innovation Showcase Polaroid Workshop, displaying images captured in urban spaces around Gravesend, led by photographer, Paul Halliday, formally of Goldsmiths, University of London. 🕹 Innovation in Gaming | St George's Church | 11:30 Visitors explored vintage gaming consoles, 3D modelling, and AI innovations in game design, hosted by Mark Gladwell, with Sam, Daniel and James O'Malley. 🕹 Game Changing AI Future | St George's Church | 16:00 Journalist James O’Malley examined how gaming has shaped modern AI technology. Discussions & Talks 💬 Your Opinion on AI | Julius Caesar Italian Restaurant | 11:00 An interactive discussion on AI, gathering public perspectives on inclusion, ethics, and its future direction, led by Dr Glenn McGarry from the University of Nottingham. 💡 New School Futures | Gravesend Library | 12:00 Presentation introducing the New School Futures project, envisioning a community-driven, affordable education model. By Professor Emeritus John Wood, Goldsmiths, University of London, 💼 Starting and Maintaining a Business in Gravesend | Gravesend Library | 10:00 A panel discussion exploring the challenges and opportunities of running a business in Gravesend, featuring insights from local business owners, including Compass Ale House, Allsorts Antiques, and Penders Pharmacy. Chaired by Alessandro Ferrazza (University of Sunderland in London), the session examined how small businesses can adapt to technological disruptions and navigate the evolving economic landscape. 🛠 How to do VFX | The Grand | 19:00 A beginner-friendly talk introducing the tools and techniques of visual effects (VFX) by VFX Supervisor, Val Wardlaw. 🗿 AI, Archaeology, Avatars and Pocahontas | St George's Church | 13:15 A discussion on who writes history, exploring how AI and avatars shape narratives of historical figures. PhD candidate and Barrister, Favour Borokini, University of Nottingham and MPhil and PhD candidate Mercedes Baptiste-Halliday, University of Oxford. ⚖️ AI Responsibility | St George's Church | 14:00 Professor David Townend led a discussion on AI’s challenges and opportunities for the legal profession. Professor David Townend, Professor of Health and Life Sciences Law and is Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the City Law School, along with Professor and Barrister, Mark Engelman. ⚖️ AI Responsibility Panel Discussion | St George's Church | 14:30 Professor David Townend led a panel discussion with questions on AI’s challenges and opportunities for the legal profession. Professor David Townend, Professor of Health and Life Sciences Law and is Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the City Law School, along with Professor and Barrister, Mark Engelman, Phd candidate and Barrister, Favour Borokini, University of Nottingham and MPhil and PhD candidate Mercedes Baptiste-Halliday, University of Oxford. 🌍 Reclaiming Wisdom | Gravesend Library | 13:00 Professor John Wood advocated for a holistic shift in education, addressing biodiversity loss and the climate crisis. Led by Professor Emeritus John Wood, Goldsmiths, University of London 🔎 Wicked Avatar Problems | St George's Church | 12:30 An exploration of multiculturality in visual representation and the ethical dilemmas of AI-generated imagery. Presentation by PhD candidate and Barrister, Favour Borokini, University of Nottingham ⚙️ Fair AI Futures? | Julius Caesar Italian Restaurant | 10:30 An interactive discussion with academics from the University of Nottingham, examining what a fair AI future could look like. Led by Dr Alan Chamberlain, listen to Alan speaking to the BBC. 🏭 Traditional Apprenticeships in the Digital Age | Gravesend Library | 14:00A look at how traditional industries are adapting to modern apprenticeships and digital transformation. Discussion between former Head of Papermaking, Empire Paper Mills, Greenhithe, Anthony Thorley and Founder of Artisan Print Services, Northfleet, Deke Demarko. Hands-On Activities & Local Business Engagement 🍺 Debugging Craft Beer Myths | The Compass Alehouse | 12:00, 14:00 & 15:00 A lively beer tasting session uncovering the history, innovation, and myths of the craft beer industry. Hosted by Compass Co-Founder John. 💊 NHS Pharmacy First Service | Pender Pharmacy | 12:30 Pharmacist Steven Kane explained the expansion of healthcare access through NHS Pharmacy First. Hosted by Pender Pharmacy Owner, Steven Kane 🎨 Shaping Processes | Munns of Gravesend | 13:30 Artists Naomi Boyle and Dawn Cole explored how innovation is reshaping traditional artistic practices. 🛠 Laser Cutting | Mug and Meeple | 11:00 An introduction to laser cutting with Glenn and the Mug and Meeple team, demonstrating design and fabrication techniques. Led by Glenn 📖 Museum of Portable Sound | Multiple Locations | 11:15 & 16:00An interactive digital museum housed on an iPhone, exploring the acoustic environments of cities worldwide. 🎓 Enhancing Student Engagement | Gravesend Library | 10:00 An exploration of educational technology’s role in remote learning following the Covid-19 pandemic. Presentation by PhD Candidate, Alessandro Ferrazza, University of Sunderland in London. Innovation in Gaming installation | Photos: Jonathan Pigram Nodevember Throughout November 2024 Despite the severe cold weather and persistent rain in November, the Nodevember initiative at the Fourth Portal provided an opportunity to explore the complexities of coding and its value in different contexts. Nodevember is a yearly challenge held throughout November, encouraging participants to improve and showcase their procedural coding skills. Each year, a list of prompts is released to inspire creativity and technical development. At the Fourth Portal, we ran Nodevember sessions across alternative nights throughout November 2024, creating a space for discussion and experimentation. Discussions during the event examined whether coding should be widely taught and the vast differences between various forms of coding. For example, hard coding in engineering requires deep technical knowledge and precision, whereas coding for a website in HTML is a more structured, accessible skill suited to different needs. The debate highlighted that coding is not a single discipline but a broad spectrum of skills applied in diverse ways. While the challenging weather and the cold, damp venue limited participation, the experience offered important lessons for future events, particularly in creating a more conducive environment for engagement. Gravesend’s Independent Food Vendors Gravesend's independent food vendors, brought into the Innovation Showcase through the dedicated efforts of local volunteer James Howard, added a vibrant culinary dimension to the event. Developing his career in marketing and communications, James engaged vendors across the town, ensuring food was a vital part of the programme and creating an inclusive atmosphere. With food vouchers provided by the event, speakers, visitors, and volunteers could sample diverse cuisines, fostering a sense of community and encouraging participants to explore and learn more about Gravesend, its diversity, and its friendliness. Participating vendors included Gino’s Neapolitan, Julius Caesars, Gravesend Burger Kiosk, The Grizzly, Laszlo Hungarian Kitchen, Macho Nachos, Mrs Earlyns, Reliance Fish Bar, Sie’s Pies, Tay Mart, Tropical Cafe, and Vegan Antics, each offering a unique taste of the town’s rich and varied food culture. IMPACT, REFLECTION AND DATA A Day of Discovery & Exchange. Despite the freezing morning, the Innovation Showcase 2024 exceeded expectations, with a gradual increase in attendance throughout the day. The event brought together forward-thinking businesses, researchers, and local creatives, sparking conversations on technology, culture, and education. Funded by Gravesham Borough Council allocation of UKSPF funding from the UK Government, the Innovation Showcase offered an alternative way of introducing the fast moving new economy to local communities. Participant Reflection Danny and Sam, participants in the Innovation in Gaming installation, share their reflections on their experience at the Fourth Portal Innovation Showcase 2024. Initially hesitant to volunteer, they quickly found themselves immersed in the day’s events, and as this 2-minute video captures how multi-site intervention like these unfold. 🔗 Watch the video & read more: https://youtu.be/ycqZDkYTngY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycqZDkYTngY Sharing Innovation Showcase Data And Information Using the data collected during the November 2024 Innovation Showcase, the Fourth Portal is developing a beta version of a Linked Data Application designed to integrate all aspects of future Innovation Showcases and other events. This Fourth Portal app consolidates information on sessions, locations, and speakers, using open-source software that will offer users and event participants a comprehensive and interactive guide to everything happening at the event. Developing A Fourth Portal Linked Data App The development of this linked data tool is built on established open-source frameworks that enable structured and interconnected data sharing across the web. Unlike traditional databases, linked data follows principles set by Tim Berners-Lee’s Semantic Web, ensuring that information is not only accessible but also machine-readable and contextually meaningful. By leveraging RDF (Resource Description Framework), SPARQL (a query language for linked data), and ontologies, the app enables event organisers and participants to discover and navigate content dynamically. Beyond its immediate utility for the showcase, the app will be used as a foundational tool for future events and as an educational resource, helping individuals explore the engineering behind structured data, interoperability, and the power of decentralised information systems. Through this initiative, the Fourth Portal is demonstrating the potential of linked data as a critical technology for knowledge-sharing and digital innovation. Read more here: https://www.fourthportal.com/post/developing-linked-data-app Visit Event Page MORE ON THIS EVENT BELOW Previous Next Event Documentation Previous Next