Paul Wiersbinski / TAHETER UNKST – Project : TOYs

Project : TOYs
Paul Wiersbinski / TAHETER UNKST

Sat 26th 6pm-6.20pm
Open Platform Stage

The project creates a hybrid space merging concepts of sci-fi-films, where people can be controlled by the audience, with the direct notion of play. The application installs a live-AV connection from the viewer to the performers, who are acting in the actual gallery space, using a wireless webcam and microphone. After the first call it is up to the viewer to determine what happens in the performance space, which will feature several stages of a toyshop. The project was designed as an open social investigation on how people use technical devices, in order to hide their true identity, reveal personal details to a stranger, forced the performances into uncomfortable situation or were just enjoying the unusual setup of interactivity.
The premiere happened at “Plateaux – Festival for intl. Performance Art” at Künstlerhaus Mousonturm in Frankfurt. Due to the large scale and significant costs of showing the original work somewhere else, presentations at other venues were often given as talks, workshops and lectures at such venues as the British Computer Society in London or Sabanci University in Istanbul. This shifted the focus of the work from a rather entertaining towards a more scientific approach. Nonetheless the original work featured an installation, excessive use of technological applications (video glasses, wireless cameras, video distributors) and a two weeks rehearsal time. Print and web-pages were mainly taken care of by the festival, which produced the work. After the premiere a documentation of the work in form of an interactive DVD was made. Nevertheless “analogue” presentation forms rather fit the complex nature of the original project.

Image: Paul Wiersbinski / TAHETER UNKST