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» BBC Blast Interactive Studio at Southbank

The BBC has launched the ‘Blast Studio' - an interactive art installation on London's South Bank that will allow young people to create a piece of collaborative work in real-time over the internet. The project aims to help teenagers explore their own creativity by experimenting with different artistic styles in an interactive environment.

The ‘Blast Studio' has been produced by the BBC as experimental introduction to BBC Blast, the social learning initiative that supports the development of creative skills in 13-19 year olds. Blast online is at the heart of the initiative, allowing participants to upload their own content and gain feedback from both peers and media industry professionals. This year's Blast tour is visiting 29 cities across the UK offering free media industry workshops, and the highly successful Blast work-placement scheme has so far put 350 young people a year into placements in the creative industries.

Content created by users on the website and the tour will be collected throughout the year and a showcase will be screened on BBC2 in November 2009.

With the ‘Blast Studio' installation housed in The Topolski Studio at London's Southbank Centre, young people will get an opportunity to take part in creating a real exhibit.

The new ‘Blast Studio' lets participants to contribute to the installation by controlling machines remotely via a BBC Blast mini-site. The machines then create the installation in real time: by firing paint against the walls, adding to a sculpture, creating a custom audio-visual sequence using hanging strip lights, or using automatic typewriters, the installation will be created organically over a four week period.

Members of the public will be able to view the display at all times, by visiting the ‘Blast Studio' at London's Southbank as well as online 24 hours a day.

Liz Cleaver, Controller of BBC Learning said
“The idea of being creative can be pretty daunting, if you don't consider yourself to be particularly artistic. But in fact there's some creativity in all of us and sometimes all you need is a bit of inspiration. BBC Blast is all about inspiring young people to explore their own creativity, through technology and interactivity, and thanks to the Southbank we've been able to do something completely different to kick-start off this summer's tour.”

BBC Radio 1xtra DJ Gemma Cairney and BBC Blast supporter said,
“The creative industries are very competitive and gaining credible experience can really make the difference when applying for jobs. BBC Blast gives young people the opportunity to develop their skills in fashion, music, film or dance which will really help them when they're deciding on their future careers.”

Participants can test and flex their creativity, contributing to the ‘Blast Studio' by visiting www.blastgetcreative.co.uk.
The Studio will be live from May 12th until June 9th 2009. The Blast Tour comes to the London Southbank Centre from June 11th till June 13th.

Further information about BBC Blast and the Blast Tour, including how to pre register for the creative work shops, can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/blast
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