After meeting at AUT's Colab, Reuben Poharama, Braeden Foster and Martin Hill quickly connected to form Hubbub to create public art experiences using innovative technology.

The now 22 year olds have gone on to exhibit at Auckland Live, NZ Sculpture on Shore, MOTAT, Splore Festival, Auckland Arts Festival, Auckland Fringe Festival and Semi-Permanent. They've also collaborated with Niki Hastings-McFall, Designworks and other artists to co-produce installations.

We hear from the trio about their latest work Arco, an interactive illuminated archway sculpture that responds to the audience. It will be one of 15 artworks at this year's Splore arts trail, co-curated by Anna Hanson and Ross Liew with the theme 'Strangely Familiar'.

Reuben Poharama: South Auckland, creative technologist, lead programmer, Ngati Porou / Ngati Kahu
Braeden Foster: South Auckland, creative technologist, concepts and sound designer. 
Martin Hill: All over Auckland, creative technologist, 3D design and fabrication

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

Reuben: When people interact with my work and smile.

Braeden: Finding nuance to my work that comes about unexpectedly through the process of making.

Martin: I love the thrill of overcoming an obstacle and finding creative ways of doing so. 

Tell us a bit about your background

Reuben: Behind me are shelves with a myriad of electronic components and devices.

Braeden: I am a hacker at heart, I love to toy with new and old technology from developing games to creating custom modular synthesizers.

Martin: I've been a maker for as long as I can remember. I tinker with anything and everything I can get my hands on.

What’s Hubbub - when did you form and what are your future plans?

The three of us met during our first year of Colab at AUT. We found we worked pretty well together as we all have different strengths. We formed Hubbub in 2013 and after Uni ended we decided to keep going. We have had some amazing experiences and projects in the year since. In 2017, we’re starting workshops focused on educating people in programming, robotics, 3D printing and creativity.

Tell us about Arco - what’s the concept and what was involved in the production?

Arco allows the audience to play with the sense of control they feel when they step inside. Arco responds to changes in light that arise from their hand movements. The illuminated archway immerses you in the colour, asking you to stay longer. We have discovered the more they choose to engage the more they feel in control and become more immersed.

To create Arco we used 3D printing to prototype the design and then used a Computer Numerical Control to quickly cut out all the pieces to be assembled together.

Arco is constructed using plywood, perspex, zincalume flashing as well as electrical components i.e. LED lights. It's easy to install and take down and can be set up anywhere that has a power supply and ideally a flat surface. It is 2.3m tall, 2.4m wide, and has a depth of 1.4m. It weighs approximately 75 kg plus approximately 150 kg of sandbags to keep it situated.

Why did you want it to be at Splore?

We exhibited at Splore for the first time last year with Quantum which explored the idea of Quantum reality. Quantum used fairy lights draped across the branches of one of the beautiful trees at Tapapakanga Park for the duration of Splore. The lights sped up when festival goers activated distance sensors by entering the space.

We loved the experience so much, the community and atmosphere was incredible. We really wanted to push ourselves further and bring something even better for 2017.

What changes have you made for it? What’s involved in setting it up at Splore?

We really wanted to bring more people in, engaging with Arco. This time we’re using motion sensors that detect people walking up to the structure, increasing the reach of the work. Arco responds to this, drawing people's attention to the sculpture. Luckily Arco is formed in pieces so it’s easy to transport and set up.

What do you hope the audience takes away from it?

Reuben: We hope they don’t take anything. It cost a lot of money to make it and we don’t have insurance.

Martin: We want the audience to feel a bit powerful, like they influenced something, even if only a small amount. But yes please don’t steal anything.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

The creative industry is constantly shifting so learn to adapt. Adapting is being able to see mistakes as something to learn from. It means learning new skills even when you know everything. Practically it also means you need to let go of some ideas that you love. Don’t hold on so tight to what you are doing today because tomorrow might bring something completely new.

What’s your big idea for 2017?

Reuben: I’m looking forward to working with youth in South Auckland. There are some really amazing young people in the community that are keen to make a positive difference.

Braeden: I am heading back to the amazing Colab environment at AUT to study a masters in Creative Technologies, with an interest in researching the area of generative/procedural content for creative applications.

Martin: I’d really like to build a giant kinetic sculpture that is driven by human motion. I'm also excited about our educational initiatives that teach children to create their own future.

• Splore is on 17-19 Feb 2017 at Tapapakanga Park, Auckland

About Hubbub

Website: hubbub.nz
Facebook: facebook.com/hubbub.nz
Instagram: @hubbubnz

• Martin Hill is an ART Venture 2016 participant - an initiative of Arts Regional Trust Te Taumata Toi-a-iwi (ART) with delivery partners The Big Idea.