BRIDGWATER’S The Engine Room has opened a thought- provoking new exhibition and this week the Mercury went down to find out more.

The new exhibition is called Belonging, and each work in the exhibition incorporates digital technology in some way - but what exactly does that mean?

Although not part of the exhibition, creative technologist Richard Tomlinson demonstrates the idea using the ‘carrot piano’ in the cafe.

“Using a simple Scratch programme on the computer and a bit of homemade wiring, we have made it so when somebody connects the circuit with their hands each carrot will play a note when you touch it,” he said.

“It just shows that digital technology is not all about sitting in front of screens, it can be creative and fun, and that is important to a lot of what we do here.

“This exhibition is about Belonging, which is an increasingly important idea with all that is going on around us in the world today.”

The first work Richard points out by Nick Bickford uses ‘augmented reality’ to create a quite surreal effect.

By scanning Nick’s picture on the wall of the gallery using an iPad, two characters in the image suddenly come to life on the screen in an short animation.

Other works include a documentary by Julie Crosher of the amazing work of the volunteers at Refugee Aid from Taunton (RAFT) who help give aid to those in need.

Other works include more conventional paintings by Gwyn Ardith and Jan Morton, both of whom have agreed to help with artists’ surgeries at The Engine Room.

There is a moving work by Mary Thompson, who has only come to art later in her life. In this work Mary narrates a story from her childhood where she was an orphan and was taken on a day out by a couple she hoped would adopt her.

Mr Tomlinson added: “The story is illustrated with Mary’s charming black and white sketches. I have known Mary for five years but never knew about this part of her life, it is quite something for her to open up and share.

David Eldergill uses found sounds and images to question the idea of belonging, taking a number of existing materials and putting them together in a new and interesting way.

Another more interactive work by North Pertherton’s Daniel Birch sees visitors click shapes, each of which plays a sound from David’s commute, whether it is birds chirping or cars driving past.

Children from Robert Blake Science College have been visiting the exhibition.

Art teacher Victoria Haslett said: “The students I have brought today will be studying for GCSE Photography next year and it is so important they know this is here where they can get advice from professionals and try working with different tech - nology.”

  •  The Belonging exhibition runs at The Engine Room until Saturday, April 8