|
Matthew Hindley is professionally active in both visual art and the world of commercial film and television. His new project combines elements of both these worlds. 'Allow me to Observe' is a performance-like piece in which people will have a chance to participate, both before and during the WWVF. They are kitted out with a body-worn recording system, consisting of a cap, a bag and a hand-held electrode. A spy camera is mounted on the cap and is activated only by a high state of excitement or arousal. Excitement is measured by a Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) psychometer, an apparatus commonly known as a lie detector, but also used in biofeedback conditioning. The machine measures skin conductivity levels: the more relaxed you are and the drier your skin, the greater your skin's electrical resistance. When you are under stress your hands sweat and this resistance decreases. The GSR of the person carrying the machine in his/her hand is constantly being measured by the electrode. As soon as the GSR rises above a certain level (which can be adjusted to suit the individual) the camera is activated. The camera automatically films the source of the excitation and turns itself off when the subject is no longer under its influence. Thus a tape is created of the subject's most highly charged, preconscious experiences on the day. People with diverse backgrounds participate in the project, so that it will be possible, for example, to compare the recordings of a South African, a Dutchman, or someone from Japan; or, again, those of a policeman, a young mother and an accountant.
Hindley is particularly interested in producing work that comes alive through the interactions of people and the investigation of relationships. However, 'Allow me to Observe' also plays with artistic ideas, such as voyeurism, removing the author and issues of morality. One notes a strong link with the films that emerged out of the Dogma movement, but this work is also a reaction to the so-called reality soaps, such as Big Brother, Expedition Robinson and their countless avatars. By taking us one stage further in the way material is collected and edited by the subconscious 'Allow me to Observe' exposes the artificial character of the television medium - something entirely disavowed in these semi-live soaps.
– Claudine Hellweg
|
Specs
Allow me to Observe
Galvanic Skin Response monitor built into a microcircuit board, digital video camera, spy camera and microphone, microcomputer programmed with C++, ECG pads, bag, sweatband, jacket, programming Dylan Miles, thanks to prof. Roland Eastman and Arie Verschuur
Neurology prof. Roland Eastman, programming Dylan Miles. Commissioned by World Wide Video Festival 2001, Amsterdam, with the generous support of the HIVOS Culture Fund
Matthew Hindley ° 1974, Cape Town, South Africa
Lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa
|
|
2 0 0 1 
