So I had this idea to create some sort of multi-media installation in the storefront window of a local gallery. I needed to develop a proposal, but had no idea what it would be about. I just wanted to do something.

To get my ideas going, I went to a multi-apparatus film installation show where this guy put a loop of film through a sewing machine. As the sewing machine needle punctured holes in the film, the holes were projected as images on the screen. Very cool.

Then this same guy had another exhibit where he put two 16mm film projects on their side and projected a loop of film in each, each loop also wound around a turntable. The film going through the projector turned the turntables at a very slow speed (with a record on each and the needle down) which made a mixed popping sort of strange sound track.

Then he ran clear film through an old fashioned word processor which typed letters which appeared randomly on screen as the loop of film went through processor and projector again and again.

ANYWAY, my point is that during this show I suddenly had an idea to do a film performance piece involving people's cell phone rings (people in the audience's cell phones) as a live spontaneous soundtrack for a film. It was one of those ideas that once it came to me, it just burned right through me. So the next day, I emailed the curator of the gallery and asked if they'd like to put on such a piece for the public.

I immediately got an email back that they would DEFINITELY be into putting up such a show in the spring and that it was a "genius idea".

Cool! That's awesome!

VinaBlue said:

No doubt!

That kind of idea reminds me of a famous band out of oaklahoma which did similar things with boom boxes...



J-

Styles said:

Yeah, I was wondering if anyone has done stuff with cell phones before but haven't heard of it.

This sounds REALLY cool. Don't forget to keep us posted with the progress! How can I get a gig like this? Sounds like fun work.

The only thing similar that I can reference is the Boombox experiments that The Flaming Lips did, which led to the album: Zaireeka

But I think you're venturing into uncharted territory with this one

Good Luck!





J-

heartbeatocean said:

yamomma said:

Thanks yamomma. I'm getting more and more ideas. Beyond just making a statement on contemporary culture and technology, it might have some kind of spiritual reference as well -- with the idea of "calling".

I've been friends with the curator for years. He puts on an experimental show every Saturday night and has shown my films before. Recently, he asked me to represent the punk rock orchestra and play a couple of pieces on the violin against a video projection. When I got the cell phone idea, I thought it might be right up his alley. I still have to submit a formal written proposal though.