Dr Nic Sandiland

Biography

Nic Sandiland is a UK-based artist working across installation, performance, and film.

Following an initial training in electronic engineering, he moved into the arts, studying dance, performance, and video production during the 1990s. Over the past three decades, his work has focused on the presence of the viewer, examining concepts of being and action. His practice explores how digital mediation and interaction can serve as mechanisms for self-reflection, giving space to consider the viewer as embodied and situated within the world.

Through his work, Nic seeks to re-enliven the body, revisiting and revaluing the viewer’s actions through their innate physical presence. To do this, his work has drawn on cinematic techniques such as slow motion and moving camera mechanisms as well as, more recently, machine vision, LiDAR, and robotics. He has made work in London, Europe and Southeast Asia and has presented at theatres, art galleries, and many unusual venues. His film work has been shown worldwide and has been broadcast on UK TV (Channel 4).

Nic’s work has been commissioned by organisations such as the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican Arts Centre, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, and The Brighton Festival, and he is a regular collaborator with choreographers Yael Flexer and Rosemary Lee. Alongside this Nic has also worked as an interactive technology designer with artists Station House Opera, Blast Theory, Gary Stevens and Imogen Stidworthy. Recently he was the producer for BBC award-winning online experience, Flight Paths, directed by Extant Theatre, the UK’s leading professional performing arts company of visually impaired artists and theatre practitioners.

Nic has taught workshops on digital technology and dance around the World including Bangalore, India and Seoul, South Korea. He also taught video production for 10 years at London Contemporary Dance School (MA dance for camera) and is currently a senior lecturer and programme leader of BA fine art at Middlesex University.

In 2022 Nic completed his PhD on agency within interactive installation.

Teaching

• Module leader (BA Fine Art) for:

Introduction to Media, Sites & Situations (year 1 BA Fine Art)

Media, Site & Situation (year 2 BA Fine Art)

Multimedia (year 3 BA Fine Art)

• Current Supervisory Role:

MRes DoP for Marta Guerra Doblas, A Qualitative Phenomenological Research about Gen Z emerging dance artists

• Key expertise:

Interactive Art, Video Production, Sonic Art, Performance Art, Contemporary Dance and Choreography, Electronics, Installation Art.