‘Spotlight on Arts’ exhibition called Computala (LCB depot)
In January 2026, in partnership with New Media Art Club present COMPUTALA Digital Arts Festival. This year’s theme is “AI” – a hot topic right now. COMPUTALA is interested in critical discourse around using it in creative practice.
The latest edition of Spotlight on Arts, from Soar Sound, explores Computala, a digital and new media exhibition currently showing at LCB Depot in Leicester. Address: LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE, UK. Email: info@lcbdepot.co.uk Tel: 0116 261 6800 for more information. Website: lcbdepot.co.uk
Some special events at the LCB depot about Computala (See detailed information below under headings ‘Exhibition’ and ‘Events’.
Through a Radio Lear podcast conversation recorded at the launch by Rob Watson, artists and curators reflect on how artificial intelligence, robotics, and generative systems are reshaping creative practice. Rather than promoting technology uncritically, the exhibition asks open questions about human agency, authorship, systems, and our relationship with machines. Visitors encounter installations, visuals, sound works, and participatory pieces that invite reflection rather than instruction. The podcast aligns closely with Soar Sound’s focus on accessible arts conversations rooted in local cultural life. Computala is open throughout January at LCB Depot, Leicester, with exhibitions, workshops, and events running alongside the main show.
You can find Soar Sound’s ‘Spotlight on Art’ podcast by visiting their website Soarsound.uk and searching for the specific episode you’re interested in, such as “Computala Robots and AI” or “Creative Journeys and Reimagined Education with Dan Edwards”. you can play or download episodes directly from their website. To find a specific episode visit the Soar Sound website (Soar Sound.uk) and browse through their podcast section. Search for “Spotlight on Art” and the episode title or topic you’re interested in. Look for episodes featuring artists and curators from local exhibitions, like Computala at LCB Depot.
Exhibition
Open weekdays 11am-5pm from Monday January 12th to Friday January 30th (+ when open for events). You can also follow the season on social media @lcbdepot with info about our events.
Events
Friday January 9th, 6pm-9pm. COMPUTALA Festival launch and Robots for a Safer World Private View. Join us for light refreshments, performances and talks celebrating the occasion! [RSVP for free here]
Saturday 10th, 12pm-4pm. CQ Earlies Family Activity Day. Free drop-in activities for toddlers to ten year olds (and their grown ups) making junk robots, creative coding, and more. https://linktr.ee/Culturalquarterearlies
Sunday 11th, 12pm-4pm. Music with Robots Workshop. With Ableton Certified Instructor Mark Towers. Explore the intersection of robotics and music in this hands-on workshop where LEGO Mindstorms meets Ableton Live. Build interactive robots that control and respond to sound using custom Max for Live devices.[Pay As You Feel sign up here]
January 10th 1pm-3pm & 17th 12pm-4pm 2026. CreateAI & Art: Arts Award Discover Course. Learn how to train your own AI model with Microbit and use it to control an interactive artwork. Earn an Arts Award Discover. [Pay As You Feel sign up here for the 10th] [and here for the 17th]
Tues 13th – 17th 2026. 2000 Digital Sheep: Online Open Residency. No Jobs in the Arts and New Media Art Club invite you to join Online Open Residency, a five day online residency using DIY digital tools to create, collaborate, experiment and explore the blurred lines between human and machine imagination. [Fill out Expression of Interest for free here]
Thurs 15th 2026. 11am-1pm. Curator Tour. Festival director Sean Carroll will lead a tour and discussion around the artworks and themes in the Robots for a Safer World exhibition. [Pay As You Feel sign up here]
Tues 27th 2026. 2pm-4pm. Curator Tour. Festival director Sean Carroll will lead a tour and discussion around the artworks and themes in the Robots for a Safer World exhibition. [Pay As You Feel sign up here]
Fri 30th 2026. 6pm-10pm. CEREMONY x COMPUTALA at Last Friday. A closing ceremony celebrating COMPUTALA, exploring the connections between creativity and technology with an evening of unique experimental audiovisual performances and collaborations including new work from the AI and Performance Artist Residency Bootcamp. Free to attend in LCB Depot’s Lightbox Gallery, entrance to Last Friday Street Food event is £1 advance or £2.50 on door. [Get Last Friday tickets here]
Artists
Ana Da Cunha Alves
Dan Quill / Zeitwarp
Jake Pink
jas
Paul Mazzitelli
Sandra Crisp
Sarah Sweeney
Savannah Irving
Sean Clark
Sepideh Takshi
Soren Fold
Tilly Hawkins
Timothi Ellim (Timothi Lim)
Ziyao Lin
Flor de Fuego, Naoto Hieda, Ngo Chun Phoenix Tse, Jash, Sian Morrell
You can find out more about COMPUTALA at http://computala.info
COMPUTALA is run by and for creatives based in Leicester, the East Midlands and beyond and is supported by Arts Council England in partnership with New Media Art Club.
