Well I can honestly say I feel that the opening night of “Childhood Remixed” was a success, we had loads of visitors and lots of fun. For many visitors it was there first experience with either circuit bending / automation or chip tune and many found it an enjoyable one. Children of all ages from 8 to 80 were happy at play on the modified toys to make sounds. Both the Mayor and Dr. Michael Doherty gave speeches about my work and said nice things about me too, so all in all it was a good night. Sincere amount of thanks to James Noble and Julia Devonshire for all of their continued help and support during the install week, I couldn’t have done it without them.

Click on one of the photos to see more on my Flickr page.

Childrens’ toys are often seen as transitional objects that let the child gain mastery of the world around them. Paradoxically “Childhood Remixed” seeks to re-purpose the toys of Pixelh8’s childhood with the skills and understanding of the world he has as an adult. By rewiring, re-purposing and re-using them he will essentially be remixing his own childhood to form an orchestra of automated toys and interactive instruments.

Scouring the local car boot sales, charity shops and in some cases rubbish bins, Pixelh8 was able to reclaim some of the toys that informed him musically and creatively as a child, by re-working them with new acquired skills it will in turn create a learning curve that folds back on itself.

Childhood Remixed was commissioned by Ipswich Borough Council & Turnstone Arts Grants sponsor Ip-art Award 2007- 2010 and will be on display in Town Hall Galleries from May 29th to July 12th as part of the Ip-art festival.