This is a performance\video piece that I will perform again on Wednsday at 11.
I have already performed it at a live art event which is further described in my proposal. Here is image documentation of the piece and I will talk through all the different parts. PLEASE VIEW THE PIECE FIRST AND THEN READ THIS FOR CLARIFICATION.
Opens with television giving the orders. Demonstrates control.
Screen shows white noise-style agitation and then a flicering light. Suggests an interest in light buy the individual. People always zone towrds screens because they are bright no matter what is going on around them.
Cooking programmes are popular with famous characters such as Jamie Oliver. Here I begin to focus on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Physiological....hunger
Bass frequencies remind us of the womb from their warm vibrations. Mother as the person who traditionaly stayed at home and watched television with the children. A comfortable and loving person.
Father, the authorative character who teaches you by understanding the difficulties of this world.
Maslows theory of safety and security comes next. This is used in a controlling method by instilling fear and convincing people to stay inside and consume more.
From the atomic bomb information packet given to kids "duck and cover" I have taken out all the other words to leave only Duck or Cover. The constant repetition shows a brainwash style.
As the man on TV transends through advertising to art the bomb becomes beautifull. Like the shock value advertising style of the YBAs the Union Jack is Shown to highlight the B part of YBA. A sense of nationality was given to these artists improving their support. A sense of community.
This sense of nationalism is increased as the news speaks on a totaly national level. The sense of community is given by dsescribing local, national and international news. Seperating us from the rest of the world and uniting us with the rest of our city and country. God Save the Queen is played in the background with Brass and String hits that the news programmes begin with. The sense of authority is similar to the father figure.
Like the current trial of Saddam Husein, many political leaders have been censored in the media to sty and convince the audience of a particular opinion. I chant Swine, Swine, Swine. A quote from Orwell's 1984 where drones hurl abuse at a character on TV who they are unsure why they hate, a scapegoat for unified hatered. My line in Spanish refers to Gearge Bush's television advert that makes an effort to win the latino vote. The ad uses images of familiy life. All Bush's ads have the slogan "I am G.W. Bush and I approve this mesage."
Soap operas create the sense of communtity by creating an image that one is part of that area. Experiencing the woes of each family. Through dayly watching the charaters become as much a part of our lives as our genuine family. Maslows need for love/acceptance.
Kids are also made to feel loved and part of a family. Barney even states this in his song. Childrens programmes such as Playground and Blue Peter create a community \ family spirit but alienate the child infront of the TV. Learning social interactions is mediated by this machine.
Ending off with the disturbing hugging of the pure screen with a horrable high pitched noise coming off......mmmmmm
