Turner Prize 2009 Comments Room
We propose to create an installation that results in a collaboration between the public and Amalgum in response to this year’s Turner Prize. Replacing the current formula – of a comments room, where members of the public write their thoughts on cards – our proposal consists of three distinct elements.
The three areas are: A set of four video recording booths (in the manner of record your own voice booths of 1950’s record shops) – one for each of the shortlisted artists; A constantly changing graph on a large screen, reflecting the changing number of responses to the artists; A wall featuring 4o monitors, screening ‘talking heads’ 15 second videos of public response.
Upon entering the comments room, visitors will be invited to select which of the four artists they want to respond to. Once they’ve made their decision they enter the relevant booth (or join the queue to do so). Inside the booth they will find a set of instructions – explaining what the participant needs to do. A 15 second recording of their comment is then made. Each booth also triggers another unit on the relevant artists’ graphical representation on the projected graph. Every time a participant enters a booth it adds another unit to that artist.
The second element of the installation consists of a large screen/projection of a constantly changing graph showing all four artists and the number of public responses they have generated.
The third element in the installation consists of a bank of 40 monitors covering the wall. Each monitor screens the 15 second responses – recorded by the public – in a random arrangement or order. Each booth will be a different, distinct colour (corresponding to the graph). At times the wall of monitors could all turn one colour – everyone responding to the same artist. Each monitor will also have sound, creating a wall of overlapping sound from the 40 responses.
Tate Britain asked Amalgum to propose a new way to use the comments room for this years Turner Prize, unfortunately our proposal was not used.
