Overview
An interactive installation next to Hungerford Bridge commissioned as an education project by Candoco Dance Company.
Further Details
A series of scaled up animation mechanisms which respond to the movements of pedestrians as they walk through the South Bank Centre. The content of these flip books and zeotropes was created collaboratively with the lead artists, NewVic teaching staff, dance and art students and CandoCo Dance Company.
The mechanisms came about as a response to the company brief to create a series of large video projections visible during the day time. As at the time it was virtually impossible to see most video projection under direct daylight, we looked at other alternatives and settled on the scaling up Victorian animation machines, which don’t utilise projection, being illuminated by the surrounding light.
Both the “flip-books” and the circular zoetropes had a maximum capacity of 16 “frames” (hence the title) before repeating their sequence. This was an inherent property of the scale of the mechanism. Trying to convey a sense of dynamism in such a limited form became the major task for all involved.
One could play 16 frames at a fast enough speed to give the impression of smooth movement, but this would have resulted in a sequence lasting only 3/4 second. Alternatively the sequence could have lasted 16 seconds at a rate of 1 frame per second, yet this would tend to loose all sense of dynamic continuity. The resulting piece ended up working in between these extremes where sequences were played back at 4 frames a second over 4 seconds.
Video Documentation
Presentations
Below Hungerford Bridge, Royal Festival Hall, London
Credits
Content created collaboratively with NewVic teaching staff, dance and art students and CandoCo Dance Company through photographic documentation led by Benedict Johnson.
The sound-score was created by NewVic music students with sound artist Wajid Yaseen.
Concept and interactivity by Nic Sandiland.
The project was part of SPACES BETWEEN, a three-year collaboration between the South Bank Centre, CandoCo Dance Company and Newham Sixth Form College (NewVic), which documents, reveals and explores the refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall.