GEGEBEN / VERGESSEN [1997]

(Given / Forgotten)

 

Single channel video installation with image-interacting water circuit.

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Two water pumps are installed in a shallow water base on the outer sides. Lattex tubing pumps water to the top edge of a rear screen. The water is distributed evenly and is forming a thin film on the rear screen, branching in different streams. An upright video projector projects a frame filling image from behind onto the screen. The images shows the identical water stream, running backwards (water streams upwards) The background of the video image shows a slowed down extremely blurred image from Wall street (the typical extreme high gulch formed by old downtown skyscrapers) Pedestrians and cars crossing, their silhouettes bridging the gulch for short moments.

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I have been fascinated in many ways with the idea that time could be frozen. At least for some seconds. Running water seems to be one of the most powerful visualization of passing time. On this screen it branches out and forms unique patterns that certainly never repeat. Not only myself starred for hours into this screen, but also my video camera. I first filmed the running water, then time- reversed a sequence and projected it back onto itself in order to lift the element of passing time. Time forward and backwords create eternity. The meditative gaze that humans tend to fall in when whatchimng water plays is doubled. Vaguely one can see thru this curtain of time manipulation towards manipulated time.
Blurred hectic New York downtown pedestrians, loosing their shapes- and their sense of time.

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Rear projection screen (2,05m x 1,30m) Aluminum frame with sealed base (2,05 x 1,35 x 0.60), 2 electric water pumps, video projector, VCR.