Revolving Histories (#bangbang-0031)
Dream of Zanzibar
(1985)
https://alexanderhahn.com/dream-of-zanzibar.html
Hahn, Alexander
Hahn, Alexander (Performer)
Guyer, Peter (Performer)
Blair, David (Stimmen)
Duffy, Michael (Stimmen)
Hatfull, Christine (Stimmen)
Hines, Kay (Stimmen)
Bianda, Rinaldo (Eventcurator)
Hahn, Alexander (Camera)
Blair, David (Camera)
Dream of Zanzibar begins with the projection of video and computer generated stellar and terrestrial images. Person A enters the concrete parcours and steps onto the grass mound, where he puts down a piece of gauze with a drawing of a figurine. He withdraws into the tent. Subsequently B and C enter, each putting down his own piece of gauze and other items that A will later utilize. A joins them and receives a machine from C that emulates breathing noise. C turns on the computer; B points the surveillance camera at A. The digitized image of A holding the breathing machine appears on the rear screen. A checks with a chronometer and slips back into the tent. While a recorded voice tells the story of how Stanley found Livingstone, B sets the tent on fire. A emerges, again checking with the stop watch, obviously oblivious of the burning tent. The computer image of A standing next to the fire is transmitted to the screen. B puts down eight plastic basins in a row and begins to fill them with water from the hose. Meantime A starts a carefully timed race around the isle, at the end of each round setting fire to one piece of gauze. After three rounds A returns onto the mound and unwraps an ax. He approaches a big tree, marks a spot, raises the ax to a blow and freezes, as though enacting Hodler's famous woodcutter. The image is captured by the computer. The following video segment shows two persons who enter a square and approach a wrapped body. A imitates the event and unwraps a blue cane. He steps into the first basin, then advances, carefully measuring the ankle depth of each container. B points the camera at the final basin and exits. The sound of a big crowd fades in with the computer image of people standing over ankles in the sea. Meantime C has left. A female voice says: "By now it would be impossible to stand the world's population on the island of Zanzibar without people on the periphery being over ankles in the sea." A has arrived at the last container. When he measures its depth, it turns out to be bottomless.
Additional
Live Performers: David Blair (US-Videokünstler), Peter Guyer (CH-Dokfilmer)
Off-screen Stimmen: Christine Hatful (CN dancer), Michael Duffy (GB artist), Kay Hines (US artist)
Performers auf Video: Christa Gamper (CH dancer), Peter Francis, Adrian Saich, Brad Taylor (US dancers)
Nebst der Videodokumentation existiert das vorbespielte, während der Performance projizierte 4:3 Video.
Weiteres (pdf) Dokumaterial: Interview mit Harry Wergles (CH Videokünstler, Performer), Essay von Lorenza Mondada
Remark
“Hahn_LX_1985_Dream_of_Zanzibar“ is a documentation of the performance.
“Hahn_LX_1985_Dream_of_Zanzibar_Projection“ is the pre-recorded tape projected during the performance
1985 International Video Festival, Locarno
place: Pallanza, Italien
KuratorIn: Bianda, Rinaldo
Dokumentationstyp: Dokumentation einer Performance/Aktion / Documentation of a performance/action
Alternative
A computer video play for three performers, pre-recorded footage, live video and digitization during the performance.
Materialien: Wasser, Feuer, Gaze, Plastikbecken, Silberanzüge, Macintosh Classic Computer, Video digitizer, 2 Video Cameras, Switcher, Projektor, 5 Monitore, Spielzeugelektronik zur Erzeugung von Atemgeräusch, Styroporobjekt, Wasserstandmesser.
Medium
Video 4:3
Dauer: 18:31