PRESS - the process
The first three weeks of research for [the installation] project REPRO is done. 'Press', the first of the three installation that I envision is the opening of a research towards our (human) dependency towards machines. I question the role of the dominator, 'the one who takes control'. Are we, as humans, in control of our mechanical and digital creations or do they control us?
The idea of a body being held and controlled by a “greater power”, in my mind a machine or computer, translated to a man hanging inside a cube suspended from bungee-straps. Trying to move but constantly being pushed back to the centre. A contraption that made the body move while at the same time the body fights back. Result; I saw a body trying to do a lot of things, but completely lost sight of ‘the machine’. The focus stayed on the body and the intensity of his movements. My power and energy were the drive of the movement, not some power from outside. And logically so: How can I be moved by an inanimate object?
This brought me to two choices; focus on the physical – finding a way so it would look my body is being moved by something -, or bring in another, bigger element? The first choice is something I research anyway and will still be doing so in the next residencies, but the second one peaked my interest more. Could I use/create something that can actually move me?The seed was planted. I went back to my sketchbook and drew up some possibilities.
I landed on the idea of a lifted/elevated floor that with its weight was holding me up (see the drawing for explanation). Visually this triggered something in me. If the balance of weight and power was just right the floor would be able to lift me up but also I would be able to push off from it to the floor again. A very simple but strong image. However also very two dimensional. Together with Marc van Vliet (my artistic coach for this project) we came up with the idea I am currently working on; a wall that can turn over its diagonal axis.
I build a test wall and started experimenting. Immediately I found that not only I could take more control over the machine/wall but it could also really take control over me. Pushing me off balance and make my skill and power useless. I had to give in to it or fail.
Seeing myself move this big movable wall, representing our machines/technology, build by human hands. Fighting it, and loosing control. It triggered something in me.
A good start. Let’s build it now.
