Who We Are
We create software and opportunities for individuals interested in sonic improvisation. We are a group of musicians and researchers committed to discovering and developing new methods to enhance creativity for learners, musicians, and artists from diverse backgrounds and levels. We explore new perspectives on process-led learning, enabled by digital tools and inclusive practices
Unrealtime collaborator Nick Roth
Improvisation is an untapped resource for enhancing cognitive engagement and understanding in learning environments and cross-disciplinary artistic practices. URTEX proposes direct user agency in an AI-dominated technological environment by facilitating real-time creative command of artistic form, encouraging experimentation and self-growth.
In education and community contexts, URTEX aims to develop and test new facilitation design models for creative workshops and support STEAM models in using real-time decision-making to enhance learners' cognitive understanding.
In music and cross-disciplinary practice, we aim to transform inherited concepts of the creative discourse through a new, non-prescriptive, innovative interface designed to encourage individual creativity.
URTEX is a new and ambitious stage of development that builds on Unrealtime, a road-tested project routed in both professional and academic musical practice.
URTEX is funded by Canterbury Christ Church University.
Unrealtime projects have received funding and in-kind support by Canterbury Christ Church University, Arts Council England, Arts Council Ireland, Music Network Ireland, The Swedenborg Foundation, Iklectik, Kontraklang (DE), Free Range Canterbury and Sonorities Festival (IE)
History of Unrealtime
Unrealtime has featured in interdisciplinary collaborations, album releases, artistic portfolios, websites, a peer-reviewed chapter, and a REF 21 output. Collaborations include established organisations and artistic commissions (Music Network, Ootiboo, Free Range Orchestra, Iklectik, Sonorities Festival.)
Unrealtime features in performances and recordings with practitioners of international calibre, including composers (Jennifer Walshe), performers (Nick Roth, Cath Roberts, Pavlos Antoniadis, Louis Tabuenca), experimental dance music-makers (Matmos, Wobbly), cross-disciplinary artists and filmmakers (Laure Prouvost), and internationally established record labels (Diatribe Records, Lo Recordings).
Click here for more sounds and an analytical and technical history of the development of the Unrealtime project, featuring over 80 videos of performances and demonstrations.
Unrealtime project stage 1 archive