If you're doing nothing wrong, you have nothing to be scared of. Ever felt like you're being watched? Does this sensation make you feel safe? Who is watching you, and what if you could see what they can see? Closed Circuit invites you to walk in the Coventry underpasses at night, surrounded by projected images of 'live' CCTV footage. They say paranoia is the hidden order behind the visible, beyond the bounds of reason. We make it reasonable, beautiful and, more importantly, we make it visible.
who:
Predacom is an independent film and video production company with an established reputation for producing imaginative and creative short films and documentaries. Our projects are based strongly in the exploration of new and exciting digital formats for the observation and expression of ideas. Winners of the 2003 Blink Film Festival non-fiction category for am5, "a stark, monochrome look...revealing the hidden depths of England’s second city" (Ideas Factory).
why:
Closed Circuit is an experiment in urban choreography. A mobile audience is left to explore an area and their own experiences and attitudes towards it. These dimly lit, untended spaces offer the ideal opportunity to explore notions of trust and security. The Closed Circuit video-feed is displayed and projected throughout the journey, but do we believe what we are told, or what we feel? After all, fear is the beginning of wisdom.
where:
The Coventry ring road segregates the commercial centre from the populated landscape. Coventry's subways bisect this divided city; an underground complex of passages meeting and diverging. A network of architecturally homogenous tunnels that offer a transition between often contrasting environments, used daily by thousands of residents, despite sometimes-justified concerns for their safety.
when:
Closed Circuit will be available for public exploration nightly for one week. There are several possible routes, all starting from the subway entrance at Mile Lane, Ring Road Junction 5. Run times may vary from 10 - 20 mins. Audience members may participate individually or in small groups, with staggered entrance.
Venue Access Audit (carried out by the artist/producer).
This is intended as a guide for other artists and producers considering staging an event in the venue. However please note that the guidance given here is a subjective assessment of the venue as of May 2004.
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For key to symbols, see Access page
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Is there a suitable get-in to the venue/site for equipment etc?
The main area is accessible by road from both inside and outside the ring road at Junctions 6 and 5.
Is the venue accessible to wheelchair users? if not, what would it take to make it accessible?
There are a variety of possible routes, several of which are acessible via ramps and slopes for Wheelchair users, although some only feature steps, so wheelchair users would have to be directed away from these routes..
Are there toilets? are they wheelchair accessible?
Public conveniences are available nearby, close to the New Union Street Car Park.
Is there an electricity supply?
The area is lit and features CCTV cameras which cleary require power, although there are no general access points for this.
Are there fire exits?
As the subways are fairly short, the venue is essentially open air for this purpose.
Is there space for Bar/hospitality?
There is a small courtyard space at the start point, with spaces clearly suitable for hospitality.
Is there space for box office/curator/front of house?
Yes
Is the venue/site family or child friendly?
The venue in itself is child friendly but the installation itself may not be suitable for young children due to inappropriate subject matter.
How easy is it to find the venue?
Very simple, altough the subways that directly lead to the start point will be inaccessible due to a one way system that would have to be introduced for the performance time. This may cause slight confusion so a diversion would have to be clearly marked for those travelling by foot.
Is there car parking nearby?
On street parking is available on Parkside, as well as large car parks at the Coventry University Technocentre, the use of which could be negotiated.
What might be a good interpretation solution for your show? signer? audio description? another? can it be fully integrated into the concept?
The show is a multi-sensory experience. Language is primarily irrelevent, although the installation relies on the context of sound and vision, although not exclusively. The show would therefore be accessible to most people.
links: Predacom
The Virtual Fringe is © Talking Birds, each virtual project is © the artist.
