Tim Sandys-Renton - Testbed

Tim Sandys-Renton presented a two screen video self-portrait. He tested out a variety of presentation formats over the course of Testbed, some of which hinted at unresolved site-specific narratives, others focusing on the apparatus used to produce the video itself.  In these ideas Tim was investigating the links between sculpture and video by bringing together the physicality and presence of objects within a site or space with the rhythms, illusions and narratives inherent within moving image.

Both figures spin. The camera rotated around each subject once every 3-4 seconds. The rotating mechanism used by the subject to film himself (standing in the central circle, swinging the camera around himself), was hanging in the same space. This mechanism could only film up or down; The video sections were not filmed simultaneously which is why the torso and legs never seem to match.

In the left hand screen, the naked man climbs the steps incessantly. The sound of his feet crunching on the concrete is played loud in the space. Occasionally an aeroplane appears above his head, spinning around like a crazed bee, buzzing furiously! The top of his body and his legs seem disconnected, one or other always trying to catch up.

The runner in the right hand screen is, likewise, incessant in his running, never getting anywhere. The noise of his feet on the road, and his pounding breath, are loud in the space. Again body and legs seem disconnected.

At the start, on March 10, Tim filmed himself performing in the gallery itself. On the left screen Tim was the 'bureaucrat' with his institutional suit and badge, walking menacingly, and on the right screen he was the 'academic' in gown and flowing tie, running to keep up! (These photos not included).

 

      

other videos: Still Life Spinning