FRAMELESS has selected a collective of Royal College of Art (RCA) alumni, and their new show Imagined Realities as its latest residency. The three-part audio-visual immersive art experience explores how we confront and navigate complex emotions.

The new immersive show navigates the interplay between imagination and reality, from ancient worlds to modern times, unravelling how storytelling and wonder can help make sense of inner narratives – from joy and sorrow to greed and hope – in order to better understand the world around us.

Artists Riya Mahajan and Ruby Bell’s Moody Monsters artwork began as a workshop with 12-14 year-olds from Kensington Aldridge Academy, where young people crafted clay monsters to reflect different emotions. From the joy of first friendships to their initial encounters with anxiety, by harnessing digital technology, they are brought to life in an immersive playground of imagination.
The new 3-month residency, starting on 25th October at 1pm, comes as part of an ongoing partnership between FRAMELESS and the Royal College of Art’s Digital Direction MA programme, with the shared goal of platforming emerging talent in the world of digital and immersive art.

Riya Mahajan said, “By personifying feelings and bringing them to life through art, we can help young people nurture positive relationships with their friends, families, and even their own thoughts. Bringing emotions to life encourages children to connect with their feelings, highlighting the importance of making art appealing to kids by offering them an engaging connection to imagined worlds, all while helping them confront their own realities.”
Vivian Li’s chapter, ‘From the Ground / Lost in Synthetic’, takes visitors on a journey through a mythological world, blending traditional narratives with hyper modern content. The re-imagining of the ‘Legend of the White Snake’: a Chinese myth of a white snake looking for the magic reishi mushroom (the mushroom of immortality), invites audiences to embark on a magical journey through the shared challenges that can be observed throughout history and mythology that remain relevant to the modern-day human experience.

Janmejay Singh’s ‘Roots to the Universe’ is an allegorical retelling that draws upon the story of creation in the indigenous Gond Pardhan community, reflecting on contemporary ecological and human issues facing indigenous people through the Gond culture’s rich artistic and musical traditions.

Tom Simmons, Head of Programme, MA Digital Direction at RCA, said, “It’s incredible to see the work of our alumni reaching such broad audiences. Their ability to tell important stories through digital art exemplifies the power of creativity in understanding the world around us.”

Ryan Atwood, Creative Director of FRAMELESS, said, “Life experience gives us the tools to manage our emotions, but children, especially in today’s world, often need more support to understand and express their feelings. Art has always provided a safe space for young people to navigate their thoughts and emotions, offering both a creative escape and a means of self-reflection, so it’s exciting to see how this new wave of artists are using digital storytelling to encourage young people to explore their emotions.”

Imagined Realities builds on the success of FRAMELESS’ Let’s Talk About Art campaign, inviting children to critically engage with the artworks featured within the galleries. During half term visitors will be able to review the artworks in the galleries to be in with a chance to win a seat at the FRAMELESS Creative Table, as well as a lifetime membership to FRAMELESS.

Access to Imagined Realities will be part of any standard ticket to FRAMELESS, meaning visitors to the show will also have access to the full FRAMELESS experience, embarking on an emotionally charged journey, experiencing 42 immersive artworks from some of the world’s most revered artists including Hokusai and Van Gogh, which have been reimagined in collaboration with BAFTA award-winning VFX studio and FRAMELESS’ Official Production Partner Cinesite, whose previous work includes the Harry Potter and James Bond films.

Alongside the four immersive galleries, FRAMELESS houses an art-inspired Café Bar and a Gift Shop brimming with treasures. To buy tickets or to find out more visit www.frameless.com.