“Capricious and profound, the experience definitely captures what it is to escape from the world for a little bit – and then to return and find that you see things just a bit differently.” – the londonist
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‘as if it were the last time’ by Duncan Speakman
Audiences were invited to download an MP3 and turn up at a secret location to listen to the track at a specified time.
On the soundtrack the audience would hear the composed soundtrack along with narration and instructions.
Two MP3 files were made available, so the audience were divided in half. While one group was instructed to perform a simple scene the other group heard this described as if it were a film scene, but they could actually see it happening around them.
Throughout the piece these roles of watcher/performer alternated between the groups, ever increasing in pace until by the end they are all performing/watching simultaneously.
The work was a snapshot image of contemporary Britain, allowing the audience to watch it, reflect on it, and live it. It explored ideas of how mobile technology can create social disconnection in shared public spaces. It also looked for ways to use those same technologies to create connections between strangers and friends, to savour the moment and the temporary space that was created during the performance.
From the project description…
“When you put on the headphones you’ll find yourself immersed in the cinema of everyday life. As the soundtrack swells people in the crowd around you will begin to re-enact the England of today.
Sometimes you’ll just be drifting and watching, but sometimes you’ll be following instructions or creating the scenes yourself. Don’t worry, there will be nothing illegal or embarrassing, sometimes you might be re-enacting moments you’ve seen in films, sometimes you’ll just be playing yourself.
This is no requiem, this a celebratory slow dance, a chance to savour the world you live in, and to see it with fresh eyes.”
‘as if it were the last time’ is dedicated to Paul Walker ( 1979 – 2009 )
- [ soundtrack ] Sadie Anderson, Duncan Speakman,
- [ voices ] Steve Owen, Jess Marlowe, Jess Hoffman, Emma Fellows
- [ additional musicians ] Leo Smee , Laura Groves ,
- [ developed with ] Gemma Paintin, James Stenhouse, Uninvited Guests, Ed Rapley, Lucy Cassidy, Alex Bradley, Sita Calvert Ennals, Becky Hall, Tom Wainwright
- [ developed at ] Pervasive Media Studio, Bristol
- [ production assistants ] Helen Bentley, Keira Blakley, Steve Owen,
- [ web design ] Thought Den
- [ documentation ] http://www.wideeyed.co.uk
- [ additional thanks to ] Marta Bogna, Ellen Harrison, Ian Danby, Nina Steiger, Dominic Grant, Clare Reddington, Simon Games
- ‘as if it was the last time’ was originally comissioned as part of the Vauxhall Collective 2009. For more information please visit: www.vauxhallcollective.co.uk
[ IMAGES : MAKING "AS IF IT WERE THE LAST TIME" ]
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Loved the subtle mob in Amsterdam, are there any pictures or videos of the event?
there are a few pictures on flickr and a couple of glimpses of video on youtube. Generally we don;t like to film the events ourselves, as it’s about the experience of being there with each other, not making a show of yourself. . .
try to remain invisible
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Maybe it’s lack of sleep but just wondered how I sign up? Would love to participate at IF Milton Keynes this Saturday at 3pm! Awe inspiring! Thank you
the mp3 and map are now online at http://subtlemob.com/mk.php
(the sign-up is to help us work out the size of location to use, now you can just download and turn up!)