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| Drama student Adan Osborne provided the actions and voice to create a virtual William Wilberforce to mark the 210th anniversary of the passing of the Slave.jpg |
The School of Simulation and Visualisation (SimVis) at The Glasgow School of Art and the University of Hull are bringing William Wilberforce “back to life” with innovative 3D technology. The pioneering abolitionist, whose movement led to the passing of the Slave Trade Act (25 March 1807) ending Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, was born in Hull in 1759.
Dr Paul Chapman, Head of the School of Simulation and Visualisation at The Glasgow School of Art, said: “We’re delighted to have worked with the University of Hull on this project creating the high-quality motion capture and 3D modelling of Amy Johnson and William Wilberforce. It’s always a challenge when re-creating historical characters but the skillsets of the team combined with our leading-edge technology and software has brought these important characters back to life.”
Full text of University of Hull press release below
For further information on SimVis contact:
Lesley Booth
07799414474
press@gsa.ac.uk
Full text of University of Hull press release below
For further information on SimVis contact:
Lesley Booth
07799414474
press@gsa.ac.uk
@GSofAMedia
News Release
William Wilberforce, MP and leader
of the British movement to abolish the slave trade, is brought ‘back to life’
by 3D technology 200 years after his death
- Born in Hull in 1759, he began
his political career in 1780 - He headed the parliamentary campaign
against Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade for twenty years
until the passage of the Slave Trade
Act of 1807 (25 March), and continued to support the campaign to abolish
slavery - To mark the 210th anniversary
of the passing of the act, experts from the University of Hull and The Glasgow
School of Art have created a digital 3D version of Wilberforce using motion
capture technology and advanced 3D rendering - Virtual Wilberforce to be
launched on 23 March at the University of Hull’s Wilberforce Institute for the
Study of Slavery and Emancipation, and be available to see at his birthplace,
Wilberforce House Museum, throughout the UK’s City of Culture year - This will coincide with a
special lighting of the Wilberforce Monument by Hull City Council as part of
£25m transformation of the city centre, supported by the William Wilberforce
Monument Fund
The University of Hull and the School
of Simulation and Visualisation (SimVis) at The Glasgow School of Art are
bringing pioneering abolitionist, William Wilberforce, whose movement led to
the passing of the Slave Trade Act (25 March 1807), ending Britain’s
involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, back to life with innovative 3D
technology.
of Simulation and Visualisation (SimVis) at The Glasgow School of Art are
bringing pioneering abolitionist, William Wilberforce, whose movement led to
the passing of the Slave Trade Act (25 March 1807), ending Britain’s
involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, back to life with innovative 3D
technology.
William Wilberforce, born in Hull in
1759, was a leading MP and the man behind the movement to end slavery in the UK.
1759, was a leading MP and the man behind the movement to end slavery in the UK.
To mark the 210th
anniversary of the passing of the Slave Trade Act, and to celebrate the Hull’s
legacy of freedom in its City of Culture year, experts from the University of
Hull and The Glasgow School of Art have used the same 3D wizardry found in blockbuster
Hollywood films to create ‘Virtual Wilberforce’.
anniversary of the passing of the Slave Trade Act, and to celebrate the Hull’s
legacy of freedom in its City of Culture year, experts from the University of
Hull and The Glasgow School of Art have used the same 3D wizardry found in blockbuster
Hollywood films to create ‘Virtual Wilberforce’.
He features in a series of short
animated videos, talking about his powerful life story and fight for freedom in
his own words, from his first speech against the African slave trade in the
House of Commons in 1789 through to his death in 1833. It is hoped that these
will inspire positive change today through learning lessons from the past.
animated videos, talking about his powerful life story and fight for freedom in
his own words, from his first speech against the African slave trade in the
House of Commons in 1789 through to his death in 1833. It is hoped that these
will inspire positive change today through learning lessons from the past.
Virtual Wilberforce will be unveiled at a special event on 23 March, which
will include talks from its creators about how and why they decided to bring
him back to life, and a special projection of the videos onto the side of the University
of Hull’s Wilberforce Institute. A
further video, of the freed-slave and important figure, Olaudah Equiano, will also be
shown.
will include talks from its creators about how and why they decided to bring
him back to life, and a special projection of the videos onto the side of the University
of Hull’s Wilberforce Institute. A
further video, of the freed-slave and important figure, Olaudah Equiano, will also be
shown.
This event will also include the lighting of the Wilberforce Monument by
Hull City Council as part of the £25m transformation
of the city centre, supported by the William Wilberforce Monument Fund.
Hull City Council as part of the £25m transformation
of the city centre, supported by the William Wilberforce Monument Fund.
Following this, Virtual Wilberforce will then appear at Paragon
Station and in Wilberforce House Museum, during the course of Hull’s City of
Culture year to celebrate the life and work of this important figure, and serve
as a reminder of the ongoing fight against slavery we all face today.
Station and in Wilberforce House Museum, during the course of Hull’s City of
Culture year to celebrate the life and work of this important figure, and serve
as a reminder of the ongoing fight against slavery we all face today.
John Oldfield, Director
of the Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation at the University
of Hull said: “Wilberforce’s
story is so extraordinarily powerful, we wanted to do it justice. The battle he
went through tells us so much about the terrible effects of slavery and why
every one of us must play our part to eradicate it.
of the Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation at the University
of Hull said: “Wilberforce’s
story is so extraordinarily powerful, we wanted to do it justice. The battle he
went through tells us so much about the terrible effects of slavery and why
every one of us must play our part to eradicate it.
“Virtual Wilberforce, played by one of our own drama
students, Adan Osborne, provides insight into Wilberforce’s inspirational
fight against slavery, the obstacles he faced during his campaign, and the
great fortitude he displayed, often against great odds. By installing
interactive life-sized screens across Hull during this City of Culture year, we
want people to recognise the lessons from Wilberforce’s story and understand the
ongoing fight we all face in combating the global slavery problem today. We
hope it will inspire others to take up the fight.
students, Adan Osborne, provides insight into Wilberforce’s inspirational
fight against slavery, the obstacles he faced during his campaign, and the
great fortitude he displayed, often against great odds. By installing
interactive life-sized screens across Hull during this City of Culture year, we
want people to recognise the lessons from Wilberforce’s story and understand the
ongoing fight we all face in combating the global slavery problem today. We
hope it will inspire others to take up the fight.
“Working with computer science experts here at the
University and SimVis at The Glasgow School of Art has opened-up new and innovative
ways of interpreting historical characters and bringing their stories to life.
University and SimVis at The Glasgow School of Art has opened-up new and innovative
ways of interpreting historical characters and bringing their stories to life.
“Virtual Wilberforce is just one
element of the breadth of action the University of Hull is taking to utilise
its expertise in tackle modern day slavery today.”
element of the breadth of action the University of Hull is taking to utilise
its expertise in tackle modern day slavery today.”
Kevin Hyland, the UK Independent
Anti-Slavery Commissioner, added: “The
work of the abolitionists, led by William Wilberforce, was the first grassroots
human rights campaign, in which men and women from different social classes and
backgrounds volunteered to end the injustices of others. We need to learn from
this influential leadership.
Anti-Slavery Commissioner, added: “The
work of the abolitionists, led by William Wilberforce, was the first grassroots
human rights campaign, in which men and women from different social classes and
backgrounds volunteered to end the injustices of others. We need to learn from
this influential leadership.
“Though
the campaign faced challenges and trials, the perseverance of Wilberforce is
admirable. He shifted mind-sets, as people started to view slavery, for the
first time, as a national crime. We face this same challenge today, with up to
13,000 victims of modern slavery in the UK today, we need to learn from the
commitment, determination and ambition of the abolitionists 210 years ago, and
help people understand that this is serious, organised crime.
the campaign faced challenges and trials, the perseverance of Wilberforce is
admirable. He shifted mind-sets, as people started to view slavery, for the
first time, as a national crime. We face this same challenge today, with up to
13,000 victims of modern slavery in the UK today, we need to learn from the
commitment, determination and ambition of the abolitionists 210 years ago, and
help people understand that this is serious, organised crime.
“The
work of the University of Hull, Glasgow School of Art and others, with their
Virtual Wilberforce, will do just that. It will attract attention and inspire
positive change. It will help people in Hull and beyond understand what modern
slavery really is.
work of the University of Hull, Glasgow School of Art and others, with their
Virtual Wilberforce, will do just that. It will attract attention and inspire
positive change. It will help people in Hull and beyond understand what modern
slavery really is.
“This
week marks two years since the UK’s Modern Slavery Act came into force. We must
come together and see that the full force of the law is used. Together, let’s
strive to see more victims safe and perpetrators punished. In the words of
William Wilberforce himself, ‘you may choose to look the other way but you can
never say again that you did not know.”
week marks two years since the UK’s Modern Slavery Act came into force. We must
come together and see that the full force of the law is used. Together, let’s
strive to see more victims safe and perpetrators punished. In the words of
William Wilberforce himself, ‘you may choose to look the other way but you can
never say again that you did not know.”
Adan
Osborne, 22, the University of Hull drama student who provided the voice and
physical movements for Virtual Wilberforce, said: “It has been a privilege to be
involved in this project, and a unique and exciting opportunity for me as a
drama student to play such an inspirational figure, although no one will see my
face! I didn’t know much about Wilberforce when I began, but after re-creating
his life story and his famous speech to Parliament, I’m extremely proud to help
bring him back for this City of Culture year, and share his story to inspire
more people.”
Osborne, 22, the University of Hull drama student who provided the voice and
physical movements for Virtual Wilberforce, said: “It has been a privilege to be
involved in this project, and a unique and exciting opportunity for me as a
drama student to play such an inspirational figure, although no one will see my
face! I didn’t know much about Wilberforce when I began, but after re-creating
his life story and his famous speech to Parliament, I’m extremely proud to help
bring him back for this City of Culture year, and share his story to inspire
more people.”
Dr Paul Chapman, Head of the
School of Simulation and Visualisation at The Glasgow School of Art, said: “We’re
delighted to have worked with the University of Hull on this project creating
the high-quality motion capture and 3D modelling of Amy Johnson and William
Wilberforce. It’s always a challenge when re-creating historical characters but
the skillsets of the team combined with our leading-edge technology and
software has brought these important characters back to life.
School of Simulation and Visualisation at The Glasgow School of Art, said: “We’re
delighted to have worked with the University of Hull on this project creating
the high-quality motion capture and 3D modelling of Amy Johnson and William
Wilberforce. It’s always a challenge when re-creating historical characters but
the skillsets of the team combined with our leading-edge technology and
software has brought these important characters back to life.
“We feel positive that the
exhibition will be a success and will highlight the incredible lives of these
two pioneers.”
exhibition will be a success and will highlight the incredible lives of these
two pioneers.”
Gifty Burrows, Chair of Trustees at the William Wilberforce Monument
Fund, said: “Hull is quite justifiably proud of its connection to
William Wilberforce. Lighting the monument acknowledges his endeavours and
those of abolitionists everywhere who were persistent in addressing human
injustice. We have a collective responsibility to make sure that their efforts are
remembered as the legacy of historic slavery continues to influence society
today. We are minded to learn from the past and use that as an example to do
something about the present day that is blighted by the numbers in modern day
slavery.”
Fund, said: “Hull is quite justifiably proud of its connection to
William Wilberforce. Lighting the monument acknowledges his endeavours and
those of abolitionists everywhere who were persistent in addressing human
injustice. We have a collective responsibility to make sure that their efforts are
remembered as the legacy of historic slavery continues to influence society
today. We are minded to learn from the past and use that as an example to do
something about the present day that is blighted by the numbers in modern day
slavery.”
Virtual
Wilberforce will be unveiled on 23 March at 6pm, at the University of Hull’s Wilberforce
Institute. Media
are invited to attend this event, followed by the lighting of the monument in
Queen’s Gardens from 7pm, with the Freedom Chorus and speakers including City
Major Projects Manager Garry Taylor.
Wilberforce will be unveiled on 23 March at 6pm, at the University of Hull’s Wilberforce
Institute. Media
are invited to attend this event, followed by the lighting of the monument in
Queen’s Gardens from 7pm, with the Freedom Chorus and speakers including City
Major Projects Manager Garry Taylor.
Ends
Notes to Editors
The project is a collaboration
between the University of Hull’s Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery
and Emancipation, Hull Immersive Visualization Environment (HIVE), and the School
of Simulation and Visualisation at The Glasgow School of Art (GSA).
between the University of Hull’s Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery
and Emancipation, Hull Immersive Visualization Environment (HIVE), and the School
of Simulation and Visualisation at The Glasgow School of Art (GSA).
About
the Wilberforce Institute
the Wilberforce Institute
The Wilberforce Institute for the study of Slavery and
Emancipation is a research institute at the University
of Hull. It was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015 in
recognition of the transformational studies of slavery and emancipation issues, both
historical and contemporary, and for helping to reveal the extent of the
incidence of modern day slavery.
Emancipation is a research institute at the University
of Hull. It was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015 in
recognition of the transformational studies of slavery and emancipation issues, both
historical and contemporary, and for helping to reveal the extent of the
incidence of modern day slavery.
The Wilberforce Institute works on a wide range of projects
with partners from around the world. Our academics took a major role in shaping the UK’s Modern Slavery Act, which was passed
by Parliament in March 2015. As a result of the Act, all UK companies with a
turnover of more than £36m, are required to report annually on the steps they
have taken to ensure modern slavery isn’t taking place in their supply chain.
We offer a ‘risk assessment service’, led
by a trained social auditor to help businesses meet the requirements of the
law. We are working with one of the UK’s largest supermarkets to check their
supply chain, both in the UK and overseas.
with partners from around the world. Our academics took a major role in shaping the UK’s Modern Slavery Act, which was passed
by Parliament in March 2015. As a result of the Act, all UK companies with a
turnover of more than £36m, are required to report annually on the steps they
have taken to ensure modern slavery isn’t taking place in their supply chain.
We offer a ‘risk assessment service’, led
by a trained social auditor to help businesses meet the requirements of the
law. We are working with one of the UK’s largest supermarkets to check their
supply chain, both in the UK and overseas.
About The
Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) was founded
in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, as a centre of
creativity promoting good design for the manufacturing industries of
Glasgow. However, the School’s lineage can be traced to 1753 when Robert
Foulis established a school of art and design in Glasgow, which was described
as the single most influential factor in the development of eighteenth-century
Scottish Art. Today, The GSA is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s
leading university-level institutions for the visual creative disciplines. Our
studio-based approach to research and teaching brings disciplines together to
explore problems in new ways to find innovative solutions. The studio creates
the environment for inter-disciplinary working, peer learning, critical
inquiry, experimentation and prototyping, helping to addressing many of the
great challenges confronting society and contemporary business.
in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, as a centre of
creativity promoting good design for the manufacturing industries of
Glasgow. However, the School’s lineage can be traced to 1753 when Robert
Foulis established a school of art and design in Glasgow, which was described
as the single most influential factor in the development of eighteenth-century
Scottish Art. Today, The GSA is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s
leading university-level institutions for the visual creative disciplines. Our
studio-based approach to research and teaching brings disciplines together to
explore problems in new ways to find innovative solutions. The studio creates
the environment for inter-disciplinary working, peer learning, critical
inquiry, experimentation and prototyping, helping to addressing many of the
great challenges confronting society and contemporary business.
The School of Simulation and Visualisation (SimVis) currently specialises
in postgraduate teaching and research. It has been a leader in research and
development within the field of high-end 3D simulation and visualisation since
1997.Working with EU and UK Research Councils, Government departments and blue-chip
companies, SimVis has created advanced visualisation products in various
industries including the automotive, built environment, defence, shipbuilding
and medical sectors. SimVis has a strong background in the medical
visualisation sector, and has produced 3D digital models of selected anatomy to
support activities such as pre-operative planning, risk reduction, surgical
simulation and increased patient safety.
in postgraduate teaching and research. It has been a leader in research and
development within the field of high-end 3D simulation and visualisation since
1997.Working with EU and UK Research Councils, Government departments and blue-chip
companies, SimVis has created advanced visualisation products in various
industries including the automotive, built environment, defence, shipbuilding
and medical sectors. SimVis has a strong background in the medical
visualisation sector, and has produced 3D digital models of selected anatomy to
support activities such as pre-operative planning, risk reduction, surgical
simulation and increased patient safety.
SimVis is a partner in the CCDV (with Historic Environment Scotland)
which has delivered the admired Scottish 10 and has recently completed 3D
models of Scotland’s most recent UNESO World Heritage site, the Forth Bridge.
SimVis also created the award-winning 3D visualisations and soundscapes for the
state of the art digital battle scenes as part of the transformation of visitor
facility to mark the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 2014,
with the University of Hull on a real time interactive 3d visualisation of Amy
Johnson win 2017. Also, in 2016 SimVis announced a partnership with Tennent’s
to work on the company’s new visitor centre.
which has delivered the admired Scottish 10 and has recently completed 3D
models of Scotland’s most recent UNESO World Heritage site, the Forth Bridge.
SimVis also created the award-winning 3D visualisations and soundscapes for the
state of the art digital battle scenes as part of the transformation of visitor
facility to mark the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in 2014,
with the University of Hull on a real time interactive 3d visualisation of Amy
Johnson win 2017. Also, in 2016 SimVis announced a partnership with Tennent’s
to work on the company’s new visitor centre.