Samuel Meech

Lecturer, Studio Arts

Research areas: labor, craftivism, video feedback, machine knitting, projection design for public realm

Contact information

Email:

sam.meech@concordia.ca

Availability:

email me at hello [at] smeech [dot] co [dot] uk

Website:

http://portfolio.smeech.co.uk

Biography

About Me

I'm an artist and researcher, originally from Huddersfield, UK. I previously taught at Manchester School of Art, and Liverpool School of Art and Design.

My artistic and research interests include video feedback systems and site specific projection; combining machine knitted textiles with digital aesthetics; community arts and collaborative design; craftivism and gentrification; critical analysis of artistic and academic labor. I also make extensive use of highlights

I have installed giant optical feedback installations in public spaces, knitted protest banners and waterfalls, built two community cinemas, cast concrete grave stones and giant iron fidget spinners, published five volumes of poetry gleaned from turgid academic meetings, and inadvertantly founded a fashion label for encrypted knitwear. I also once hosted a 24 hour marathon screening of Groundhog Day (something I never intend to repeat).

I left Concordia in December 2022 due to the working conditions, the precarious LTA contract, and the lack of support from either the CUFA or CUPFA unions for workers in this role - I now earn half as much, with no benefits working in an artist-run centre, but I am much happier for it, though I miss many aspects of teaching arts

Despite having taught 3 classes a week for 3 semesters, as well as many co-ordination and supervisory responsabilities, part-time union rules do not count this as teaching experience or seniority. I sincerely hope that both unions might work together in future to protect the more precarious workers and to recognise their experience

Teaching activities

Intermedia (Video, Performance and Electronic Arts)

2021 - 2022 (Fall & Winter)

IMCA 210 Introduction to Video Production
IMCA 331 Intermedia and Interventionist Performance Practices
IMCA 332 Intermedia, Performance Practices and Performative Video
IMCA 400 Advanced Practices in Video, Performance and Electronic Arts

2022 (Winter only)

IMCA 210 Introduction to Video Production
IMCA 400 Advanced Practices in Video, Performance and Electronic Arts
IMCA 610 MFA Studio - Intermedia (Video, Performance and Electronic Arts)

Publications

Fabrications: Using Knitted Artworks to Challenge Developers’ Narratives of Regeneration and Recognise Manchester’s South Asian Working Class Textiles Businesses

(2022) TEXTILE: CLOTH & CULTURE Special Issue - 'Unraveling Contemporary Knitting) - https://doi.org/10.1080/14759756.2022.2099628

Video in the Abyss - In the context of the digital, is analogue video feedback still useful as an approach to making art?

(2019) Master of Arts by Research thesis - read here

Research activities

8 Hours Labour - Limited Term Appointment (2023)

Durational knitting performance - IMPAKT gallery, NL

http://portfolio.smeech.co.uk/8-hours-labour-limited-term-appointment/

Écran De Veille / Screen Savour (2021)
Generative video feedback installation - Quartier des Spectacle, Montreal
http://portfolio.smeech.co.uk/ecrandeveille/

Unstable Intermediated Forms
(with Rob Feulner)
video feedback installation - Agence TOPO, Montreal
https://www.agencetopo.qc.ca/wp/en/events/event/unstable-intermediated-forms/

Tricot Animé (2021)
anaimated knit mural - Verdun, Montreal
http://portfolio.smeech.co.uk/tricot-anime/

Poème d'Écran / Screen Poem (2020)
interactive generative text installation for multiple screens - Montreal; Barnsley (UK)
http://portfolio.smeech.co.uk/poemedecran/

La Lune est... / The Moon Is... (2020)
interactive generative text installation for cuicurlar projection - Montreal; Barnsley (UK)
http://portfolio.smeech.co.uk/la-lune-est/

Video Culture / Chroma Culture (2020)
Interactive chomatic feedback installation - Newlyn Art Gallery, UK
http://portfolio.smeech.co.uk/video-culture/

Portals (2019)
Interactive feedback installation - Touring, UK
http://portfolio.smeech.co.uk/portal/

Écran de Veille (2022)