A new exhibition is opening in Walthamstow that celebrates the unique contribution women have made to computing.
Share UK, a leading digital arts group, brought together eight mother-daughter teams from Walthamstow and taught them traditional crafting skills, such as embroidery and appliqué, alongside tech skills such as circuity and coding.
The results were eight ‘conductive cushions’ that embedded wearable tech, such as LED lights, sensors and more. The cushions were designed along the theme of inspiring women, and are being exhibited at Gnome House as part of Ada Lovelace Day on Tuesday, 13th October, and will be on display until the end of the month.
Ada Lovelace was a computing pioneer, cited as being the world’s first computer programmer. As early as 1843 she conceptualised using digital technology to create music.Share UK’s project manager, Esther Freeman, said: “During Ada’s era women were often discouraged from engaging in science and maths because their brains were considered ‘too fragile’.
“While most people would consider that ridiculous today, many still hold a view that women and girls don’t like, or aren’t very good at technology. Our project shows that given the right opportunities they can in fact flourish.”
The Conductive Cushions exhibition will run between 13th and 31st October at Gnome House, Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow. The women celebrated include suffragettes, Taylor Swift, JK Rowling, and Aphra Benn, a 17th century playwright and spy for Charles II. The project has been funded by Awards for All.
Conductive Cushions is part of Share UK’s hackjam.it initiative, which aims to improve the digital skills of young people in Waltham Forest www.hackjam.it. Share UK is Walthamstow based non-profit organisation that shares stories, skills and ideas. www.share-uk.org. For further information email Esther on [email protected].
Local news needs your support
We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
ACT NOW!
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
Our newspaper and website are made possible by the support of readers and by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider helping us to continue to bring you news by disabling your ad blocker or supporting us with a small regular payment.
